\"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.