Chapter 13 - Page 2

a€˜Therea€™s a bit of horseflesh, Hugh!a€™ said John, when he had recovered enough self-command to appear at the door again. a€˜Therea€™s a comely creature! Therea€™s high mettle! Therea€™s bone!a€™

There was bone enough beyond all doubt; and so Hugh seemed to think, as he sat sideways in the saddle, lazily doubled up with his chin nearly touching his knees; and heedless of the dangling stirrups and loose bridle-rein, sauntered up and down on the little green before the door.

a€˜Mind you take good care of her, sir,a€™ said John, appealing from this insensible person to his son and heir, who now appeared, fully equipped and ready. a€˜Dona€™t you ride hard.a€™

a€˜I should be puzzled to do that, I think, father,a€™ Joe replied, casting a disconsolate look at the animal.

a€˜None of your impudence, sir, if you please,a€™ retorted old John. a€˜What would you ride, sir? A wild ass or zebra would be too tame for you, wouldna€™t he, eh sir? Youa€™d like to ride a roaring lion, wouldna€™t you, sir, eh sir? Hold your tongue, sir.a€™ When Mr Willet, in his differences with his son, had exhausted all the questions that occurred to him, and Joe had said nothing at all in answer, he generally wound up by bidding him hold his tongue.

a€˜And what does the boy mean,a€™ added Mr Willet, after he had stared at him for a little time, in a species of stupefaction, a€˜by cocking his hat, to such an extent! Are you going to kill the wintner, sir?a€™

a€˜No,a€™ said Joe, tartly; a€˜Ia€™m not. Now your minda€™s at ease, father.a€™

a€˜With a milintary air, too!a€™ said Mr Willet, surveying him from top to toe; a€˜with a swaggering, fire-eating, biling-water drinking sort of way with him! And what do you mean by pulling up the crocuses and snowdrops, eh sir?a€™

a€˜Ita€™s only a little nosegay,a€™ said Joe, reddening. a€˜Therea€™s no harm in that, I hope?a€™

a€˜Youa€™re a boy of business, you are, sir!a€™ said Mr Willet, disdainfully, a€˜to go supposing that wintners care for nosegays.a€™

a€˜I dona€™t suppose anything of the kind,a€™ returned Joe. a€˜Let them keep their red noses for bottles and tankards. These are going to Mr Vardena€™s house.a€™

a€˜And do you suppose he minds such things as crocuses?a€™ demanded John.

a€˜I dona€™t know, and to say the