"IfIhadbeenyou，"saidGinger，"Iwouldhavegiventhoseboysagoodkick，andthatwouldhavegiventhemalesson."
"Nodoubtyouwould，"saidMerrylegs;"butthenIamnotquitesuchafool（beggingyourpardon）astoangerourmasterormakeJamesashamedofme.
Besides，thosechildrenareundermychargewhentheyareriding;
Itellyoutheyareintrustedtome.Why，onlytheotherdayIheardourmastersaytoMrs.Blomefield，`Mydearmadam，youneednotbeanxiousaboutthechildren;myoldMerrylegswilltakeasmuchcareofthemasyouorIcould;IassureyouIwouldnotsellthatponyforanymoney，heissoperfectlygood—temperedandtrustworthy;’anddoyouthinkIamsuchanungratefulbruteastoforgetallthekindtreatmentIhavehadhereforfiveyears，andallthetrusttheyplaceinme，andturnviciousbecauseacoupleofignorantboysusedmebadly？
No，no！youneverhadagoodplacewheretheywerekindtoyou，andsoyoudon’tknow，andI’msorryforyou;butIcantellyougoodplacesmakegoodhorses.Iwouldn’tvexourpeopleforanything;
Ilovethem，Ido，"saidMerrylegs，andhegavealow"ho，ho，ho！"
throughhisnose，asheusedtodointhemorningwhenheheardJames’footstepatthedoor.
"Besides，"hewenton，"ifItooktokickingwhereshouldIbe？Why，soldoffinajiffy，andnocharacter，andImightfindmyselfslavedaboutunderabutcher’sboy，orworkedtodeathatsomeseasideplacewherenoonecaredforme，excepttofindouthowfastIcouldgo，orbefloggedalonginsomecartwiththreeorfourgreatmeninitgoingoutforaSundayspree，asIhaveoftenseenintheplaceIlivedinbeforeIcamehere;no，"saidhe，shakinghishead，"IhopeIshallnevercometothat."
10ATalkintheOrchardGingerandIwerenotoftheregulartallcarriagehorsebreed，wehadmoreoftheracingbloodinus.Westoodaboutfifteenandahalfhandshigh;
wewerethereforejustasgoodforridingaswewerefordriving，andourmasterusedtosaythathedislikedeitherhorseormanthatcoulddobutonething;andashedidnotwanttoshowoffinLondonparks，hepreferredamoreactiveandusefulkindofhorse.Asforus，ourgreatestpleasurewaswhenweweresaddledforaridingparty;
themasteronGinger，themistressonme，andtheyoungladiesonSirOliverandMerrylegs.Itwassocheerfultobetrottingandcanteringalltogetherthatitalwaysputusinhighspirits.Ihadthebestofit，forIalwayscarriedthemistress;herweightwaslittle，hervoicewassweet，andherhandwassolightonthereinthatIwasguidedalmostwithoutfeelingit.
Oh！ifpeopleknewwhatacomforttohorsesalighthandis，andhowitkeepsagoodmouthandagoodtemper，theysurelywouldnotchuck，anddrag，andpullatthereinastheyoftendo.Ourmouthsaresotenderthatwheretheyhavenotbeenspoiledorhardenedwithbadorignoranttreatment，theyfeeltheslightestmovementofthedriver’shand，andweknowinaninstantwhatisrequiredofus.Mymouthhasneverbeenspoiled，andIbelievethatwaswhythemistresspreferredmetoGinger，althoughherpaceswerecertainlyquiteasgood.Sheusedoftentoenvyme，andsaiditwasallthefaultofbreakingin，andthegagbitinLondon，thathermouthwasnotsoperfectasmine;andthenoldSirOliverwouldsay，"There，there！don’tvexyourself;youhavethegreatesthonor;
amarethatcancarryatallmanofourmaster’sweight，withallyourspringandsprightlyaction，doesnotneedtoholdherheaddownbecauseshedoesnotcarrythelady;
wehorsesmusttakethingsastheycome，andalwaysbecontentedandwillingsolongaswearekindlyused."
IhadoftenwonderedhowitwasthatSirOliverhadsuchaveryshorttail;
itreallywasonlysixorsevenincheslong，withatasselofhairhangingfromit;andononeofourholidaysintheorchardIventuredtoaskhimbywhataccidentitwasthathehadlosthistail.
"Accident！"hesnortedwithafiercelook，"itwasnoaccident！
itwasacruel，shameful，cold—bloodedact！WhenIwasyoungIwastakentoaplacewherethesecruelthingsweredone;Iwastiedup，andmadefastsothatIcouldnotstir，andthentheycameandcutoffmylongandbeautifultail，throughthefleshandthroughthebone，andtookitaway.
"Howdreadful！"Iexclaimed.
"Dreadful，ah！itwasdreadful;butitwasnotonlythepain，thoughthatwasterribleandlastedalongtime;itwasnotonlytheindignityofhavingmybestornamenttakenfromme，thoughthatwasbad;
butitwasthis，howcouldIeverbrushthefliesoffmysidesandmyhindlegsanymore？Youwhohavetailsjustwhiskthefliesoffwithoutthinkingaboutit，andyoucan’ttellwhatatormentitistohavethemsettleuponyouandstingandsting，andhavenothingintheworldtolashthemoffwith.Itellyouitisalifelongwrong，andalifelongloss;butthankheaven，theydon’tdoitnow."
"Whatdidtheydoitforthen？"saidGinger.
"Forfashion！"saidtheoldhorsewithastampofhisfoot;"forfashion！
ifyouknowwhatthatmeans;therewasnotawell—bredyounghorseinmytimethathadnothistaildockedinthatshamefulway，justasifthegoodGodthatmadeusdidnotknowwhatwewantedandwhatlookedbest."
"IsupposeitisfashionthatmakesthemstrapourheadsupwiththosehorridbitsthatIwastorturedwithinLondon，"saidGinger.
"Ofcourseitis，"saidhe;"tomymind，fashionisoneofthewickedestthingsintheworld.Nowlook，forinstance，atthewaytheyservedogs，cuttingofftheirtailstomakethemlookplucky，andshearinguptheirprettylittleearstoapointtomakethembothlooksharp，forsooth.
Ihadadearfriendonce，abrownterrier;`Skye’theycalledher.
Shewassofondofmethatsheneverwouldsleepoutofmystall;
shemadeherbedunderthemanger，andthereshehadalitteroffiveasprettylittlepuppiesasneedbe;noneweredrowned，fortheywereavaluablekind，andhowpleasedshewaswiththem！andwhentheygottheireyesopenandcrawledabout，itwasarealprettysight;
butonedaythemancameandtookthemallaway;IthoughthemightbeafraidIshouldtreaduponthem.Butitwasnotso;intheeveningpoorSkyebroughtthembackagain，onebyoneinhermouth;notthehappylittlethingsthattheywere，butbleedingandcryingpitifully;theyhadallhadapieceoftheirtailscutoff，andthesoftflapoftheirprettylittleearswascutquiteoff.Howtheirmotherlickedthem，andhowtroubledshewas，poorthing！Ineverforgotit.Theyhealedintime，andtheyforgotthepain，butthenicesoftflap，thatofcoursewasintendedtoprotectthedelicatepartoftheirearsfromdustandinjury，wasgoneforever.Whydon’ttheycuttheirownchildren’searsintopointstomakethemlooksharp？Whydon’ttheycuttheendofftheirnosestomakethemlookplucky？Onewouldbejustassensibleastheother.
WhatrighthavetheytotormentanddisfigureGod’screatures？"
SirOliver，thoughhewassogentle，wasafieryoldfellow，andwhathesaidwasallsonewtome，andsodreadful，thatIfoundabitterfeelingtowardmenriseupinmymindthatIneverhadbefore.OfcourseGingerwasverymuchexcited;
sheflungupherheadwithflashingeyesanddistendednostrils，declaringthatmenwerebothbrutesandblockheads.
"Whotalksaboutblockheads？"saidMerrylegs，whojustcameupfromtheoldapple—tree，wherehehadbeenrubbinghimselfagainstthelowbranch."Whotalksaboutblockheads？Ibelievethatisabadword."
"Badwordsweremadeforbadthings，"saidGinger，andshetoldhimwhatSirOliverhadsaid.
"Itisalltrue，"saidMerrylegssadly，"andI’veseenthataboutthedogsoverandoveragainwhereIlivedfirst;butwewon’ttalkaboutithere.
Youknowthatmaster，andJohnandJamesarealwaysgoodtous，andtalkingagainstmeninsuchaplaceasthisdoesn’tseemfairorgrateful，andyouknowtherearegoodmastersandgoodgroomsbesideours，thoughofcourseoursarethebest."
ThiswisespeechofgoodlittleMerrylegs，whichweknewwasquitetrue，cooledusalldown，especiallySirOliver，whowasdearlyfondofhismaster;
andtoturnthesubjectIsaid，"Cananyonetellmetheuseofblinkers？"
"No！"saidSirOlivershortly，"becausetheyarenouse."
"Theyaresupposed，"saidJustice，theroancob，inhiscalmway，"topreventhorsesfromshyingandstarting，andgettingsofrightenedastocauseaccidents."
"Thenwhatisthereasontheydonotputthemonridinghorses;
especiallyonladies’horses？"saidI.
"Thereisnoreasonatall，"saidhequietly，"exceptthefashion;
theysaythatahorsewouldbesofrightenedtoseethewheelsofhisowncartorcarriagecomingbehindhimthathewouldbesuretorunaway，althoughofcoursewhenheisriddenheseesthemallabouthimifthestreetsarecrowded.Iadmittheydosometimescometooclosetobepleasant，butwedon’trunaway;weareusedtoit，andunderstandit，andifweneverhadblinkersputonweshouldneverwantthem;
weshouldseewhatwasthere，andknowwhatwaswhat，andbemuchlessfrightenedthanbyonlyseeingbitsofthingsthatwecan’tunderstand.Ofcoursetheremaybesomenervoushorseswhohavebeenhurtorfrightenedwhentheywereyoung，whomaybethebetterforthem;butasIneverwasnervous，Ican’tjudge."
"Iconsider，"saidSirOliver，"thatblinkersaredangerousthingsinthenight;wehorsescanseemuchbetterinthedarkthanmencan，andmanyanaccidentwouldneverhavehappenedifhorsesmighthavehadthefulluseoftheireyes.Someyearsago，Iremember，therewasahearsewithtwohorsesreturningonedarknight，andjustbyFarmerSparrow’shouse，wherethepondisclosetotheroad，thewheelswenttooneartheedge，andthehearsewasoverturnedintothewater;boththehorsesweredrowned，andthedriverhardlyescaped.
Ofcourseafterthisaccidentastoutwhiterailwasputupthatmightbeeasilyseen，butifthosehorseshadnotbeenpartlyblinded，theywouldofthemselveshavekeptfurtherfromtheedge，andnoaccidentwouldhavehappened.Whenourmaster’scarriagewasoverturned，beforeyoucamehere，itwassaidthatifthelampontheleftsidehadnotgoneout，Johnwouldhaveseenthegreatholethattheroad—makershadleft;
andsohemight，butifoldColinhadnothadblinkersonhewouldhaveseenit，lampornolamp，forhewasfartooknowinganoldhorsetorunintodanger.Asitwas，hewasverymuchhurt，thecarriagewasbroken，andhowJohnescapednobodyknew."
"Ishouldsay，"saidGinger，curlinghernostril，"thatthesemen，whoaresowise，hadbettergiveordersthatinthefutureallfoalsshouldbebornwiththeireyessetjustinthemiddleoftheirforeheads，insteadofontheside;theyalwaysthinktheycanimproveuponnatureandmendwhatGodhasmade."
Thingsweregettingrathersoreagain，whenMerrylegshelduphisknowinglittlefaceandsaid，"I’lltellyouasecret：IbelieveJohndoesnotapproveofblinkers;Iheardhimtalkingwithmasteraboutitoneday.Themastersaidthat`ifhorseshadbeenusedtothem，itmightbedangerousinsomecasestoleavethemoff’;
andJohnsaidhethoughtitwouldbeagoodthingifallcoltswerebrokeninwithoutblinkers，aswasthecaseinsomeforeigncountries.
Soletuscheerup，andhavearuntotheotherendoftheorchard;
Ibelievethewindhasblowndownsomeapples，andwemightjustaswelleatthemastheslugs."
Merrylegscouldnotberesisted，sowebrokeoffourlongconversation，andgotupourspiritsbymunchingsomeverysweetappleswhichlayscatteredonthegrass.
11PlainSpeakingThelongerIlivedatBirtwickthemoreproudandhappyIfeltathavingsuchaplace.Ourmasterandmistresswererespectedandbelovedbyallwhoknewthem;theyweregoodandkindtoeverybodyandeverything;
notonlymenandwomen，buthorsesanddonkeys，dogsandcats，cattleandbirds;therewasnooppressedorill—usedcreaturethathadnotafriendinthem，andtheirservantstookthesametone.
IfanyofthevillagechildrenwereknowntotreatanycreaturecruellytheysoonheardaboutitfromtheHall.
ThesquireandFarmerGreyhadworkedtogether，astheysaid，formorethantwentyyearstogetcheck—reinsonthecart—horsesdoneawaywith，andinourpartsyouseldomsawthem;andsometimes，ifmistressmetaheavilyladenhorsewithhisheadstrainedupshewouldstopthecarriageandgetout，andreasonwiththedriverinhersweetseriousvoice，andtrytoshowhimhowfoolishandcruelitwas.
Idon’tthinkanymancouldwithstandourmistress.Iwishallladieswerelikeher.Ourmaster，too，usedtocomedownveryheavysometimes.
Irememberhewasridingmetowardhomeonemorningwhenwesawapowerfulmandrivingtowardusinalightponychaise，withabeautifullittlebaypony，withslenderlegsandahigh—bredsensitiveheadandface.Justashecametotheparkgatesthelittlethingturnedtowardthem;theman，withoutwordorwarning，wrenchedthecreature’sheadroundwithsuchaforceandsuddennessthathenearlythrewitonitshaunches.Recoveringitselfitwasgoingon，whenhebegantolashitfuriously.Theponyplungedforward，butthestrong，heavyhandheldtheprettycreaturebackwithforcealmostenoughtobreakitsjaw，whilethewhipstillcutintohim.
Itwasadreadfulsighttome，forIknewwhatfearfulpainitgavethatdelicatelittlemouth;butmastergavemetheword，andwewereupwithhiminasecond.
"Sawyer，"hecriedinasternvoice，"isthatponymadeoffleshandblood？"
"Fleshandbloodandtemper，"hesaid;"he’stoofondofhisownwill，andthatwon’tsuitme."Hespokeasifhewasinastrongpassion.
Hewasabuilderwhohadoftenbeentotheparkonbusiness.
"Anddoyouthink，"saidmastersternly，"thattreatmentlikethiswillmakehimfondofyourwill？"
"Hehadnobusinesstomakethatturn;hisroadwasstraighton！"
saidthemanroughly.
"Youhaveoftendriventhatponyuptomyplace，"saidmaster;
"itonlyshowsthecreature’smemoryandintelligence;howdidheknowthatyouwerenotgoingthereagain？Butthathaslittletodowithit.
Imustsay，Mr.Sawyer，thatamoreunmanly，brutaltreatmentofalittleponyitwasnevermypainfullottowitness，andbygivingwaytosuchpassionyouinjureyourowncharacterasmuch，naymore，thanyouinjureyourhorse;andremember，weshallallhavetobejudgedaccordingtoourworks，whethertheybetowardmanortowardbeast."
Masterrodemehomeslowly，andIcouldtellbyhisvoicehowthethinghadgrievedhim.Hewasjustasfreetospeaktogentlemenofhisownrankastothosebelowhim;foranotherday，whenwewereout，wemetaCaptainLangley，afriendofourmaster’s;
hewasdrivingasplendidpairofgraysinakindofbreak.
Afteralittleconversationthecaptainsaid：
"Whatdoyouthinkofmynewteam，Mr.Douglas？Youknow，youarethejudgeofhorsesintheseparts，andIshouldlikeyouropinion."
Themasterbackedmealittle，soastogetagoodviewofthem.
"Theyareanuncommonlyhandsomepair，"hesaid，"andiftheyareasgoodastheylookIamsureyouneednotwishforanythingbetter;
butIseeyoustillholdthatpetschemeofyoursforworryingyourhorsesandlesseningtheirpower."
"Whatdoyoumean，"saidtheother，"thecheck—reins？Oh，ah！
Iknowthat’sahobbyofyours;well，thefactis，Iliketoseemyhorsesholdtheirheadsup."
"SodoI，"saidmaster，"aswellasanyman，butIdon’tliketoseethemheldup;thattakesalltheshineoutofit.Now，youareamilitaryman，Langley，andnodoubtliketoseeyourregimentlookwellonparade，`headsup’，andallthat;butyouwouldnottakemuchcreditforyourdrillifallyourmenhadtheirheadstiedtoabackboard！Itmightnotbemuchharmonparade，excepttoworryandfatiguethem;buthowwoulditbeinabayonetchargeagainsttheenemy，whentheywantthefreeuseofeverymuscle，andalltheirstrengththrownforward？
Iwouldnotgivemuchfortheirchanceofvictory.Anditisjustthesamewithhorses：youfretandworrytheirtempers，anddecreasetheirpower;
youwillnotletthemthrowtheirweightagainsttheirwork，andsotheyhavetodotoomuchwiththeirjointsandmuscles，andofcourseitwearsthemupfaster.Youmaydependuponit，horseswereintendedtohavetheirheadsfree，asfreeasmen’sare;
andifwecouldactalittlemoreaccordingtocommonsense，andagooddeallessaccordingtofashion，weshouldfindmanythingsworkeasier;besides，youknowaswellasIthatifahorsemakesafalsestep，hehasmuchlesschanceofrecoveringhimselfifhisheadandneckarefastenedback.Andnow，"saidthemaster，laughing，"Ihavegivenmyhobbyagoodtrotout，can’tyoumakeupyourmindtomounthim，too，captain？Yourexamplewouldgoalongway."
"Ibelieveyouarerightintheory，"saidtheother，"andthat’sratherahardhitaboutthesoldiers;but——well——
I’llthinkaboutit，"andsotheyparted.
12AStormyDayOnedaylateintheautumnmymasterhadalongjourneytogoonbusiness.
Iwasputintothedog—cart，andJohnwentwithhismaster.
Ialwayslikedtogointhedog—cart，itwassolightandthehighwheelsranalongsopleasantly.Therehadbeenagreatdealofrain，andnowthewindwasveryhighandblewthedryleavesacrosstheroadinashower.Wewentalongmerrilytillwecametothetoll—barandthelowwoodenbridge.Theriverbankswereratherhigh，andthebridge，insteadofrising，wentacrossjustlevel，sothatinthemiddle，iftheriverwasfull，thewaterwouldbenearlyuptothewoodworkandplanks;butasthereweregoodsubstantialrailsoneachside，peopledidnotmindit.
Themanatthegatesaidtheriverwasrisingfast，andhefeareditwouldbeabadnight.Manyofthemeadowswereunderwater，andinonelowpartoftheroadthewaterwashalfwayuptomyknees;thebottomwasgood，andmasterdrovegently，soitwasnomatter.
WhenwegottothetownofcourseIhadagoodbait，butasthemaster’sbusinessengagedhimalongtimewedidnotstartforhometillratherlateintheafternoon.
Thewindwasthenmuchhigher，andIheardthemastersaytoJohnthathehadneverbeenoutinsuchastorm;andsoIthought，aswewentalongtheskirtsofawood，wherethegreatbrancheswereswayingaboutliketwigs，andtherushingsoundwasterrible.
"Iwishwewerewelloutofthiswood，"saidmymaster.
"Yes，sir，"saidJohn，"itwouldberatherawkwardifoneofthesebranchescamedownuponus."
Thewordswerescarcelyoutofhismouthwhentherewasagroan，andacrack，andasplittingsound，andtearing，crashingdownamongtheothertreescameanoak，tornupbytheroots，anditfellrightacrosstheroadjustbeforeus.IwillneversayIwasnotfrightened，forIwas.
Istoppedstill，andIbelieveItrembled;ofcourseIdidnotturnroundorrunaway;Iwasnotbroughtuptothat.Johnjumpedoutandwasinamomentatmyhead.
"Thatwasaveryneartouch，"saidmymaster."What’stobedonenow？"
"Well，sir，wecan’tdriveoverthattree，noryetgetroundit;
therewillbenothingforit，buttogobacktothefourcrossways，andthatwillbeagoodsixmilesbeforewegetroundtothewoodenbridgeagain;itwillmakeuslate，butthehorseisfresh."
Sobackwewentandroundbythecrossroads，butbythetimewegottothebridgeitwasverynearlydark;wecouldjustseethatthewaterwasoverthemiddleofit;butasthathappenedsometimeswhenthefloodswereout，masterdidnotstop.Weweregoingalongatagoodpace，butthemomentmyfeettouchedthefirstpartofthebridgeIfeltsuretherewassomethingwrong.Idarenotgoforward，andImadeadeadstop."Goon，Beauty，"saidmymaster，andhegavemeatouchwiththewhip，butIdarenotstir;
hegavemeasharpcut;Ijumped，butIdarenotgoforward.
"There’ssomethingwrong，sir，"saidJohn，andhesprangoutofthedog—cartandcametomyheadandlookedallabout.Hetriedtoleadmeforward.
"Comeon，Beauty，what’sthematter？"OfcourseIcouldnottellhim，butIknewverywellthatthebridgewasnotsafe.
Justthenthemanatthetoll—gateontheothersideranoutofthehouse，tossingatorchaboutlikeonemad.
"Hoy，hoy，hoy！halloo！stop！"hecried.
"What’sthematter？"shoutedmymaster.
"Thebridgeisbrokeninthemiddle，andpartofitiscarriedaway;
ifyoucomeonyou’llbeintotheriver."
"ThankGod！"saidmymaster."YouBeauty！"saidJohn，andtookthebridleandgentlyturnedmeroundtotheright—handroadbytheriverside.
Thesunhadsetsometime;thewindseemedtohavelulledoffafterthatfuriousblastwhichtoreupthetree.Itgrewdarkeranddarker，stillerandstiller.Itrottedquietlyalong，thewheelshardlymakingasoundonthesoftroad.ForagoodwhileneithermasternorJohnspoke，andthenmasterbeganinaseriousvoice.Icouldnotunderstandmuchofwhattheysaid，butIfoundtheythought，ifIhadgoneonasthemasterwantedme，mostlikelythebridgewouldhavegivenwayunderus，andhorse，chaise，master，andmanwouldhavefallenintotheriver;
andasthecurrentwasflowingverystrongly，andtherewasnolightandnohelpathand，itwasmorethanlikelyweshouldallhavebeendrowned.
Mastersaid，Godhadgivenmenreason，bywhichtheycouldfindoutthingsforthemselves;buthehadgivenanimalsknowledgewhichdidnotdependonreason，andwhichwasmuchmorepromptandperfectinitsway，andbywhichtheyhadoftensavedthelivesofmen.Johnhadmanystoriestotellofdogsandhorses，andthewonderfulthingstheyhaddone;
hethoughtpeopledidnotvaluetheiranimalshalfenoughnormakefriendsofthemastheyoughttodo.Iamsurehemakesfriendsofthemifeveramandid.
Atlastwecametotheparkgatesandfoundthegardenerlookingoutforus.
Hesaidthatmistresshadbeeninadreadfulwayeversincedark，fearingsomeaccidenthadhappened，andthatshehadsentJamesoffonJustice，theroancob，towardthewoodenbridgetomakeinquiryafterus.
Wesawalightatthehall—doorandattheupperwindows，andaswecameupmistressranout，saying，"Areyoureallysafe，mydear？
Oh！Ihavebeensoanxious，fancyingallsortsofthings.
Haveyouhadnoaccident？"
"No，mydear;butifyourBlackBeautyhadnotbeenwiserthanwewereweshouldallhavebeencarrieddowntheriveratthewoodenbridge."
Iheardnomore，astheywentintothehouse，andJohntookmetothestable.
Oh，whatagoodsupperhegavemethatnight，agoodbranmashandsomecrushedbeanswithmyoats，andsuchathickbedofstraw！
andIwasgladofit，forIwastired.
13TheDevil’sTradeMarkOnedaywhenJohnandIhadbeenoutonsomebusinessofourmaster’s，andwerereturninggentlyonalong，straightroad，atsomedistancewesawaboytryingtoleapaponyoveragate;theponywouldnottaketheleap，andtheboycuthimwiththewhip，butheonlyturnedoffononeside.
Hewhippedhimagain，buttheponyturnedoffontheotherside.
Thentheboygotoffandgavehimahardthrashing，andknockedhimaboutthehead;thenhegotupagainandtriedtomakehimleapthegate，kickinghimallthetimeshamefully，butstilltheponyrefused.
Whenwewerenearlyatthespottheponyputdownhisheadandthrewuphisheels，andsenttheboyneatlyoverintoabroadquicksethedge，andwiththereindanglingfromhisheadhesetoffhomeatafullgallop.
Johnlaughedoutquiteloud."Servedhimright，"hesaid.
"Oh，oh，oh！"criedtheboyashestruggledaboutamongthethorns;
"Isay，comeandhelpmeout."
"Thankye，"saidJohn，"Ithinkyouarequiteintherightplace，andmaybealittlescratchingwillteachyounottoleapaponyoveragatethatistoohighforhim，"andsowiththatJohnrodeoff."Itmaybe，"
saidhetohimself，"thatyoungfellowisaliaraswellasacruelone;
we’lljustgohomebyFarmerBushby’s，Beauty，andthenifanybodywantstoknowyouandIcantell’em，yesee."
Soweturnedofftotheright，andsooncameuptothestack—yard，andwithinsightofthehouse.Thefarmerwashurryingoutintotheroad，andhiswifewasstandingatthegate，lookingveryfrightened.
"Haveyouseenmyboy？"saidMr.Bushbyaswecameup;
"hewentoutanhouragoonmyblackpony，andthecreatureisjustcomebackwithoutarider."
"Ishouldthink，sir，"saidJohn，"hehadbetterbewithoutarider，unlesshecanberiddenproperly."
"Whatdoyoumean？"saidthefarmer.
"Well，sir，Isawyoursonwhipping，andkicking，andknockingthatgoodlittleponyaboutshamefullybecausehewouldnotleapagatethatwastoohighforhim.Theponybehavedwell，sir，andshowednovice;
butatlasthejustthrewuphisheelsandtippedtheyounggentlemanintothethornhedge.Hewantedmetohelphimout，butIhopeyouwillexcuseme，sir，Ididnotfeelinclinedtodoso.There’snobonesbroken，sir;he’llonlygetafewscratches.Ilovehorses，anditrilesmetoseethembadlyused;itisabadplantoaggravateananimaltillheuseshisheels;thefirsttimeisnotalwaysthelast."
Duringthistimethemotherbegantocry，"Oh，mypoorBill，Imustgoandmeethim;hemustbehurt."
"Youhadbettergointothehouse，wife，"saidthefarmer;
"Billwantsalessonaboutthis，andImustseethathegetsit;
thisisnotthefirsttime，northesecond，thathehasill—usedthatpony，andIshallstopit.Iammuchobligedtoyou，Manly.Good—evening."
Sowewenton，Johnchucklingallthewayhome;thenhetoldJamesaboutit，wholaughedandsaid，"Servehimright.Iknewthatboyatschool;
hetookgreatairsonhimselfbecausehewasafarmer’sson;
heusedtoswaggeraboutandbullythelittleboys.Ofcourse，weelderoneswouldnothaveanyofthatnonsense，andlethimknowthatintheschoolandtheplaygroundfarmers’sonsandlaborers’sonswereallalike.Iwellrememberoneday，justbeforeafternoonschool，Ifoundhimatthelargewindowcatchingfliesandpullingofftheirwings.
HedidnotseemeandIgavehimaboxontheearsthatlaidhimsprawlingonthefloor.Well，angryasIwas，Iwasalmostfrightened，heroaredandbellowedinsuchastyle.Theboysrushedinfromtheplayground，andthemasterraninfromtheroadtoseewhowasbeingmurdered.OfcourseIsaidfairandsquareatoncewhatIhaddone，andwhy;thenIshowedthemastertheflies，somecrushedandsomecrawlingabouthelpless，andIshowedhimthewingsonthewindowsill.Ineversawhimsoangrybefore;
butasBillwasstillhowlingandwhining，likethecowardthathewas，hedidnotgivehimanymorepunishmentofthatkind，butsethimuponastoolfortherestoftheafternoon，andsaidthatheshouldnotgoouttoplayforthatweek.
Thenhetalkedtoalltheboysveryseriouslyaboutcruelty，andsaidhowhard—heartedandcowardlyitwastohurttheweakandthehelpless;
butwhatstuckinmymindwasthis，hesaidthatcrueltywasthedevil’sowntrade—mark，andifwesawanyonewhotookpleasureincrueltywemightknowwhohebelongedto，forthedevilwasamurdererfromthebeginning，andatormentortotheend.Ontheotherhand，wherewesawpeoplewholovedtheirneighbors，andwerekindtomanandbeast，wemightknowthatwasGod’smark."
"Yourmasternevertaughtyouatruerthing，"saidJohn;
"thereisnoreligionwithoutlove，andpeoplemaytalkasmuchastheylikeabouttheirreligion，butifitdoesnotteachthemtobegoodandkindtomanandbeastitisallasham——allasham，James，anditwon’tstandwhenthingscometobeturnedinsideout."
14JamesHowardEarlyonemorninginDecemberJohnhadjustledmeintomyboxaftermydailyexercise，andwasstrappingmyclothonandJameswascominginfromthecornchamberwithsomeoats，whenthemastercameintothestable.Helookedratherserious，andheldanopenletterinhishand.Johnfastenedthedoorofmybox，touchedhiscap，andwaitedfororders.
"Good—morning，John，"saidthemaster."IwanttoknowifyouhaveanycomplainttomakeofJames."
"Complaint，sir？No，sir."
"Isheindustriousathisworkandrespectfultoyou？"
"Yes，sir，always."
"Youneverfindheslightshisworkwhenyourbackisturned？"
"Never，sir."
"That’swell;butImustputanotherquestion.Haveyounoreasontosuspect，whenhegoesoutwiththehorsestoexercisethemortotakeamessage，thathestopsabouttalkingtohisacquaintances，orgoesintohouseswherehehasnobusiness，leavingthehorsesoutside？"
"No，sir，certainlynot;andifanybodyhasbeensayingthataboutJames，Idon’tbelieveit，andIdon’tmeantobelieveitunlessIhaveitfairlyprovedbeforewitnesses;it’snotformetosaywhohasbeentryingtotakeawayJames’character，butIwillsaythis，sir，thatasteadier，pleasanter，honester，smarteryoungfellowIneverhadinthisstable.
IcantrusthiswordandIcantrusthiswork;heisgentleandcleverwiththehorses，andIwouldratherhavetheminchargewithhimthanwithhalftheyoungfellowsIknowofinlacedhatsandliveries;
andwhoeverwantsacharacterofJamesHoward，"saidJohn，withadecidedjerkofhishead，"letthemcometoJohnManly."
Themasterstoodallthistimegraveandattentive，butasJohnfinishedhisspeechabroadsmilespreadoverhisface，andlookingkindlyacrossatJames，whoallthistimehadstoodstillatthedoor，hesaid，"James，mylad，setdowntheoatsandcomehere;
IamverygladtofindthatJohn’sopinionofyourcharacteragreessoexactlywithmyown.Johnisacautiousman，"hesaid，withadrollsmile，"anditisnotalwayseasytogethisopinionaboutpeople，soIthoughtifIbeatthebushonthissidethebirdswouldflyout，andIshouldlearnwhatIwantedtoknowquickly;
sonowwewillcometobusiness.Ihavealetterfrommybrother—in—law，SirCliffordWilliams，ofCliffordHall.Hewantsmetofindhimatrustworthyyounggroom，abouttwentyortwenty—one，whoknowshisbusiness.Hisoldcoachman，whohaslivedwithhimthirtyyears，isgettingfeeble，andhewantsamantoworkwithhimandgetintohisways，whowouldbeable，whentheoldmanwaspensionedoff，tostepintohisplace.Hewouldhaveeighteenshillingsaweekatfirst，astablesuit，adrivingsuit，abedroomoverthecoachhouse，andaboyunderhim.SirCliffordisagoodmaster，andifyoucouldgettheplaceitwouldbeagoodstartforyou.
Idon’twanttopartwithyou，andifyouleftusIknowJohnwouldlosehisrighthand."
"ThatIshould，sir，"saidJohn，"butIwouldnotstandinhislightfortheworld."
"Howoldareyou，James？"saidmaster.
"NineteennextMay，sir."
"That’syoung;whatdoyouthink，John？"
"Well，sir，itisyoung;butheisassteadyasaman，andisstrong，andwellgrown，andthoughhehasnothadmuchexperienceindriving，hehasalightfirmhandandaquickeye，andheisverycareful，andIamquitesurenohorseofhiswillberuinedforwantofhavinghisfeetandshoeslookedafter."
"Yourwordwillgothefurthest，John，"saidthemaster，"forSirCliffordaddsinapostscript，`IfIcouldfindamantrainedbyyourJohnIshouldlikehimbetterthananyother;’
so，James，lad，thinkitover，talktoyourmotheratdinner—time，andthenletmeknowwhatyouwish."
InafewdaysafterthisconversationitwasfullysettledthatJamesshouldgotoCliffordHall，inamonthorsixweeks，asitsuitedhismaster，andinthemeantimehewastogetallthepracticeindrivingthatcouldbegiventohim.Ineverknewthecarriagetogooutsooftenbefore;whenthemistressdidnotgooutthemasterdrovehimselfinthetwo—wheeledchaise;butnow，whetheritwasmasterortheyoungladies，oronlyanerrand，GingerandIwereputinthecarriageandJamesdroveus.
AtthefirstJohnrodewithhimonthebox，tellinghimthisandthat，andafterthatJamesdrovealone.
ThenitwaswonderfulwhatanumberofplacesthemasterwouldgotointhecityonSaturday，andwhatqueerstreetsweweredriventhrough.
Hewassuretogototherailwaystationjustasthetrainwascomingin，andcabsandcarriages，cartsandomnibuseswerealltryingtogetoverthebridgetogether;thatbridgewantedgoodhorsesandgooddriverswhentherailwaybellwasringing，foritwasnarrow，andtherewasaverysharpturnuptothestation，whereitwouldnothavebeenatalldifficultforpeopletorunintoeachother，iftheydidnotlooksharpandkeeptheirwitsaboutthem.
15TheOldHostlerAfterthisitwasdecidedbymymasterandmistresstopayavisittosomefriendswholivedaboutforty—sixmilesfromourhome，andJameswastodrivethem.Thefirstdaywetraveledthirty—twomiles.
Thereweresomelong，heavyhills，butJamesdrovesocarefullyandthoughtfullythatwewerenotatallharassed.Heneverforgottoputonthebrakeaswewentdownhill，nortotakeitoffattherightplace.
Hekeptourfeetonthesmoothestpartoftheroad，andiftheuphillwasverylong，hesetthecarriagewheelsalittleacrosstheroad，soasnottorunback，andgaveusabreathing.Alltheselittlethingshelpahorseverymuch，particularlyifhegetskindwordsintothebargain.
Westoppedonceortwiceontheroad，andjustasthesunwasgoingdownwereachedthetownwhereweweretospendthenight.Westoppedattheprincipalhotel，whichwasinthemarket—place;itwasaverylargeone;
wedroveunderanarchwayintoalongyard，atthefurtherendofwhichwerethestablesandcoachhouses.Twohostlerscametotakeusout.
Theheadhostlerwasapleasant，activelittleman，withacrookedleg，andayellowstripedwaistcoat.Ineversawamanunbuckleharnesssoquicklyashedid，andwithapatandagoodwordheledmetoalongstable，withsixoreightstallsinit，andtwoorthreehorses.
TheothermanbroughtGinger;Jamesstoodbywhilewewererubbeddownandcleaned.
Ineverwascleanedsolightlyandquicklyasbythatlittleoldman.
WhenhehaddoneJamessteppedupandfeltmeover，asifhethoughtIcouldnotbethoroughlydone，buthefoundmycoatascleanandsmoothassilk.
"Well，"hesaid，"IthoughtIwasprettyquick，andourJohnquickerstill，butyoudobeatallIeversawforbeingquickandthoroughatthesametime."
"Practicemakesperfect，"saidthecrookedlittlehostler，"and’twouldbeapityifitdidn’t;fortyyears’practice，andnotperfect！
ha，ha！thatwouldbeapity;andastobeingquick，why，blessyou！
thatisonlyamatterofhabit;ifyougetintothehabitofbeingquickitisjustaseasyasbeingslow;easier，Ishouldsay;
infactitdon’tagreewithmyhealthtobehulkingaboutoverajobtwiceaslongasitneedtake.Blessyou！Icouldn’twhistleifIcrawledovermyworkassomefolksdo！Yousee，IhavebeenabouthorseseversinceIwastwelveyearsold，inhuntingstables，andracingstables;andbeingsmall，yesee，Iwasjockeyforseveralyears;butattheGoodwood，yesee，theturfwasveryslipperyandmypoorLarkspurgotafall，andIbrokemyknee，andsoofcourseIwasofnomoreusethere.
ButIcouldnotlivewithouthorses，ofcourseIcouldn’t，soItooktothehotels.AndIcantellyeitisadownrightpleasuretohandleananimallikethis，well—bred，well—mannered，well—cared—for;
blessye！Icantellhowahorseistreated.Givemethehandlingofahorsefortwentyminutes，andI’lltellyouwhatsortofagroomhehashad.
Lookatthisone，pleasant，quiet，turnsaboutjustasyouwanthim，holdsuphisfeettobecleanedout，oranythingelseyoupleasetowish;
thenyou’llfindanotherfidgety，fretty，won’tmovetherightway，orstartsacrossthestall，tossesuphisheadassoonasyoucomenearhim，layshisears，andseemsafraidofyou;orelsesquaresaboutatyouwithhisheels.Poorthings！Iknowwhatsortoftreatmenttheyhavehad.
Iftheyaretimiditmakesthemstartorshy;iftheyarehigh—mettleditmakesthemviciousordangerous;theirtempersaremostlymadewhentheyareyoung.Blessyou！theyarelikechildren，train’emupinthewaytheyshouldgo，asthegoodbooksays，andwhentheyareoldtheywillnotdepartfromit，iftheyhaveachance."
"Iliketohearyoutalk，"saidJames，"that’sthewaywelayitdownathome，atourmaster’s."
"Whoisyourmaster，youngman？ifitbeaproperquestion.
Ishouldjudgeheisagoodone，fromwhatIsee."
"HeisSquireGordon，ofBirtwickPark，theothersidetheBeaconHills，"
saidJames.
"Ah！so，so，Ihaveheardtellofhim;finejudgeofhorses，ain’the？
thebestriderinthecounty."
"Ibelieveheis，"saidJames，"butheridesverylittlenow，sincethepooryoungmasterwaskilled."
"Ah！poorgentleman;Ireadallaboutitinthepaperatthetime.
Afinehorsekilled，too，wasn’tthere？"
"Yes，"saidJames;"hewasasplendidcreature，brothertothisone，andjustlikehim."
"Pity！pity！"saidtheoldman;"’twasabadplacetoleap，ifIremember;
athinfenceattop，asteepbankdowntothestream，wasn’tit？
Nochanceforahorsetoseewhereheisgoing.Now，Iamforboldridingasmuchasanyman，butstilltherearesomeleapsthatonlyaveryknowingoldhuntsmanhasanyrighttotake.Aman’slifeandahorse’slifeareworthmorethanafox’stail;atleast，Ishouldsaytheyoughttobe."
DuringthistimetheothermanhadfinishedGingerandhadbroughtourcorn，andJamesandtheoldmanleftthestabletogether.
16TheFireLateronintheeveningatraveler’shorsewasbroughtinbythesecondhostler，andwhilehewascleaninghimayoungmanwithapipeinhismouthloungedintothestabletogossip.
"Isay，Towler，"saidthehostler，"justrunuptheladderintotheloftandputsomehaydownintothishorse’srack，willyou？onlylaydownyourpipe."
"Allright，"saidtheother，andwentupthroughthetrapdoor;
andIheardhimstepacrosstheflooroverheadandputdownthehay.
Jamescameintolookatusthelastthing，andthenthedoorwaslocked.
IcannotsayhowlongIhadslept，norwhattimeinthenightitwas，butIwokeupveryuncomfortable，thoughIhardlyknewwhy.Igotup;
theairseemedallthickandchoking.IheardGingercoughingandoneoftheotherhorsesseemedveryrestless;itwasquitedark，andIcouldseenothing，butthestableseemedfullofsmoke，andIhardlyknewhowtobreathe.
Thetrapdoorhadbeenleftopen，andIthoughtthatwastheplaceitcamethrough.Ilistened，andheardasoftrushingsortofnoiseandalowcracklingandsnapping.Ididnotknowwhatitwas，buttherewassomethinginthesoundsostrangethatitmademetrembleallover.
Theotherhorseswereallawake;somewerepullingattheirhalters，othersstamping.
AtlastIheardstepsoutside，andthehostlerwhohadputupthetraveler’shorseburstintothestablewithalantern，andbegantountiethehorses，andtrytoleadthemout;
butheseemedinsuchahurryandsofrightenedhimselfthathefrightenedmestillmore.Thefirsthorsewouldnotgowithhim;
hetriedthesecondandthird，andtheytoowouldnotstir.
Hecametomenextandtriedtodragmeoutofthestallbyforce;
ofcoursethatwasnouse.Hetriedusallbyturnsandthenleftthestable.
Nodoubtwewereveryfoolish，butdangerseemedtobeallround，andtherewasnobodyweknewtotrustin，andallwasstrangeanduncertain.
Thefreshairthathadcomeinthroughtheopendoormadeiteasiertobreathe，buttherushingsoundoverheadgrewlouder，andasIlookedupwardthroughthebarsofmyemptyrackIsawaredlightflickeringonthewall.ThenIheardacryof"Fire！"outside，andtheoldhostlerquietlyandquicklycamein;hegotonehorseout，andwenttoanother，buttheflameswereplayingroundthetrapdoor，andtheroaringoverheadwasdreadful.
ThenextthingIheardwasJames’voice，quietandcheery，asitalwayswas.
"Come，mybeauties，itistimeforustobeoff，sowakeupandcomealong."
Istoodnearestthedoor，sohecametomefirst，pattingmeashecamein.
"Come，Beauty，onwithyourbridle，myboy，we’llsoonbeoutofthissmother."Itwasoninnotime;thenhetookthescarfoffhisneck，andtieditlightlyovermyeyes，andpattingandcoaxingheledmeoutofthestable.Safeintheyard，heslippedthescarfoffmyeyes，andshouted，"Heresomebody！takethishorsewhileIgobackfortheother."
Atall，broadmansteppedforwardandtookme，andJamesdartedbackintothestable.IsetupashrillwhinnyasIsawhimgo.
GingertoldmeafterwardthatwhinnywasthebestthingIcouldhavedoneforher，forhadshenotheardmeoutsideshewouldneverhavehadcouragetocomeout.
Therewasmuchconfusionintheyard;thehorsesbeinggotoutofotherstables，andthecarriagesandgigsbeingpulledoutofhousesandsheds，lesttheflamesshouldspreadfurther.
Ontheothersidetheyardwindowswerethrownup，andpeoplewereshoutingallsortsofthings;butIkeptmyeyefixedonthestabledoor，wherethesmokepouredoutthickerthanever，andIcouldseeflashesofredlight;presentlyIheardaboveallthestiranddinaloud，clearvoice，whichIknewwasmaster’s：
"JamesHoward！JamesHoward！Areyouthere？"Therewasnoanswer，butIheardacrashofsomethingfallinginthestable，andthenextmomentIgavealoud，joyfulneigh，forIsawJamescomingthroughthesmokeleadingGingerwithhim;shewascoughingviolently，andhewasnotabletospeak.
"Mybravelad！"saidmaster，layinghishandonhisshoulder，"areyouhurt？"
Jamesshookhishead，forhecouldnotyetspeak.
"Ay，"saidthebigmanwhoheldme;"heisabravelad，andnomistake."
"Andnow，"saidmaster，"whenyouhavegotyourbreath，James，we’llgetoutofthisplaceasquicklyaswecan，"andweweremovingtowardtheentry，whenfromthemarket—placetherecameasoundofgallopingfeetandloudrumblingwheels.
"’Tisthefire—engine！thefire—engine！"shoutedtwoorthreevoices，"standback，makeway！"andclatteringandthunderingoverthestonestwohorsesdashedintotheyardwithaheavyenginebehindthem.Thefiremenleapedtotheground;therewasnoneedtoaskwherethefirewas——
itwasrollingupinagreatblazefromtheroof.
Wegotoutasfastaswecouldintothebroadquietmarket—place;
thestarswereshining，andexceptthenoisebehindus，allwasstill.
Masterledthewaytoalargehotelontheotherside，andassoonasthehostlercame，hesaid，"James，Imustnowhastentoyourmistress;Itrustthehorsesentirelytoyou，orderwhateveryouthinkisneeded，"andwiththathewasgone.
Themasterdidnotrun，butIneversawmortalmanwalksofastashedidthatnight.
Therewasadreadfulsoundbeforewegotintoourstalls——
theshrieksofthosepoorhorsesthatwereleftburningtodeathinthestable——itwasveryterrible！andmadebothGingerandmefeelverybad.We，however，weretakeninandwelldoneby.
ThenextmorningthemastercametoseehowwewereandtospeaktoJames.
Ididnothearmuch，forthehostlerwasrubbingmedown，butIcouldseethatJameslookedveryhappy，andIthoughtthemasterwasproudofhim.Ourmistresshadbeensomuchalarmedinthenightthatthejourneywasputofftilltheafternoon，soJameshadthemorningonhand，andwentfirsttotheinntoseeaboutourharnessandthecarriage，andthentohearmoreaboutthefire.Whenhecamebackweheardhimtellthehostleraboutit.Atfirstnoonecouldguesshowthefirehadbeencaused，butatlastamansaidhesawDickTowlergointothestablewithapipeinhismouth，andwhenhecameouthehadnotone，andwenttothetapforanother.ThentheunderhostlersaidhehadaskedDicktogouptheladdertoputdownsomehay，buttoldhimtolaydownhispipefirst.Dickdeniedtakingthepipewithhim，butnoonebelievedhim.IrememberourJohnManly’srule，nevertoallowapipeinthestable，andthoughtitoughttobetheruleeverywhere.
Jamessaidtheroofandfloorhadallfallenin，andthatonlytheblackwallswerestanding;thetwopoorhorsesthatcouldnotbegotoutwereburiedundertheburntraftersandtiles.
17JohnManly’sTalkTherestofourjourneywasveryeasy，andalittleaftersunsetwereachedthehouseofmymaster’sfriend.Weweretakenintoaclean，snugstable;therewasakindcoachman，whomadeusverycomfortable，andwhoseemedtothinkagooddealofJameswhenheheardaboutthefire.
"Thereisonethingquiteclear，youngman，"hesaid，"yourhorsesknowwhotheycantrust;itisoneofthehardestthingsintheworldtogethorsesoutofastablewhenthereiseitherfireorflood.
Idon’tknowwhytheywon’tcomeout，buttheywon’t——notoneintwenty."
Westoppedtwoorthreedaysatthisplaceandthenreturnedhome.
Allwentwellonthejourney;weweregladtobeinourownstableagain，andJohnwasequallygladtoseeus.
BeforeheandJamesleftusforthenightJamessaid，"Iwonderwhoiscominginmyplace."
"LittleJoeGreenatthelodge，"saidJohn.
"LittleJoeGreen！why，he’sachild！"
"Heisfourteenandahalf，"saidJohn.
"Butheissuchalittlechap！"
"Yes，heissmall，butheisquickandwilling，andkind—hearted，too，andthenhewishesverymuchtocome，andhisfatherwouldlikeit;
andIknowthemasterwouldliketogivehimthechance.
HesaidifIthoughthewouldnotdohewouldlookoutforabiggerboy;
butIsaidIwasquiteagreeabletotryhimforsixweeks."
"Sixweeks！"saidJames;"why，itwillbesixmonthsbeforehecanbeofmuchuse！Itwillmakeyouadealofwork，John."
"Well，"saidJohnwithalaugh，"workandIareverygoodfriends;
Ineverwasafraidofworkyet."
"Youareaverygoodman，"saidJames."IwishImayeverbelikeyou."
"Idon’toftenspeakofmyself，"saidJohn，"butasyouaregoingawayfromusoutintotheworldtoshiftforyourselfI’lljusttellyouhowIlookonthesethings.IwasjustasoldasJosephwhenmyfatherandmotherdiedofthefeverwithintendaysofeachother，andleftmeandmycripplesisterNellyaloneintheworld，withoutarelationthatwecouldlooktoforhelp.Iwasafarmer’sboy，notearningenoughtokeepmyself，muchlessbothofus，andshemusthavegonetotheworkhousebutforourmistress（Nellycallsherherangel，andshehasgoodrighttodoso）.
ShewentandhiredaroomforherwitholdWidowMallet，andshegaveherknittingandneedleworkwhenshewasabletodoit;
andwhenshewasillshesentherdinnersandmanynice，comfortablethings，andwaslikeamothertoher.ThenthemasterhetookmeintothestableunderoldNorman，thecoachmanthatwasthen.Ihadmyfoodatthehouseandmybedintheloft，andasuitofclothes，andthreeshillingsaweek，sothatIcouldhelpNelly.ThentherewasNorman;
hemighthaveturnedroundandsaidathisagehecouldnotbetroubledwitharawboyfromtheplow—tail，buthewaslikeafathertome，andtooknoendofpainswithme.WhentheoldmandiedsomeyearsafterIsteppedintohisplace，andnowofcourseIhavetopwages，andcanlaybyforarainydayorasunnyday，asitmayhappen，andNellyisashappyasabird.Soyousee，James，Iamnotthemanthatshouldturnuphisnoseatalittleboyandvexagood，kindmaster.
No，no！Ishallmissyouverymuch，James，butweshallpullthrough，andthere’snothinglikedoingakindnesswhen’tisputinyourway，andIamgladIcandoit."
"Then，"saidJames，"youdon’tholdwiththatsaying，`Everybodylookafterhimself，andtakecareofnumberone’？"
"No，indeed，"saidJohn，"whereshouldIandNellyhavebeenifmasterandmistressandoldNormanhadonlytakencareofnumberone？
Why，sheintheworkhouseandIhoeingturnips！WherewouldBlackBeautyandGingerhavebeenifyouhadonlythoughtofnumberone？why，roastedtodeath！No，Jim，no！thatisaselfish，heathenishsaying，whoeverusesit;andanymanwhothinkshehasnothingtodobuttakecareofnumberone，why，it’sapitybutwhathehadbeendrownedlikeapuppyorakitten，beforehegothiseyesopen;that’swhatIthink，"
saidJohn，withaverydecidedjerkofhishead.