you Tom Janaway,' says she, `what used to work up to Wydcombe
Farm?'

"`Ay, that I be,' says I, but stiff-like, for it galled me to think what
she'd a-done for master, and yet could look so jolly with it all.

"She took no note that I were glum, but `Whose hosses is these?' she
asked.

"`Your husband's, mum,' I made bold to say, thinking to take her down a
peg. But, lor'! she didn't care a rush for that, but `Which o' my
husbands?' says she, and laughed fit to bust, and poked the horse-dealer
in the side. He looked as if he'd like to throttle her, but she didn't
mind that neither. `What for does Michael want to sell his hosses?'

"And then I lost my pluck, and didn't think to humble her any more, but
just told her how things was, and how I'd stood the blessed day, and
never got a bid. She never asked no questions, but I see her eyes
twinkle when I spoke of Master Martin and Miss Phemie; and then she
turned sharp to the horse-dealer and said:

"`John, these is fine horses; you buy these cheap-like, and we can sell
'em again to-morrow.'

"Then he cursed and swore, and said the hosses was old scraws, and he'd
be damned afore he'd buy such hounds'-meat.

"`John,' says she, quite quiet, `'tain't polite to swear afore ladies.
These here is good hosses, and I want you to buy 'em.'

"Then he swore again, but she'd got his measure, and there was a mighty
firm look in her face, for all she laughed so; and by degrees he quieted
down and let her talk.

"`How much do you want for the four of 'em, young man?' she says; and I
had a mind to say eighty pounds, thinking maybe she'd rise to that for
old times' sake, but didn't like to say so much for fear of spoiling the
bargain. `Come,' she says, `how much? Art thou dumb? Well, if thou
won't fix the price, I'll do it for 'ee. Here, John, you bid a hundred
for this lot.'

"He stared stupid-like, but didn't speak.

"Then she look at him hard.

"`You've got to do it,' she says, speaking low, but very firm; and out
he comes with, `Here, I'll give 'ee a hundred.' But before I had time
to say `Done,' she went on: `No--this young man says no; I can see it in
his face; he don't think 'tis enough; you try him with a hundred and
twenty.'

"'Twas as if he were overlooked, for he says quite mild, `Well, I'll
give 'ee a hundred and twenty.'

"`Ay, that's better,' says she; `he says that's better.' And she takes
out a little leather wallet from her bosom, holding it under t