This puzzled her, but she could say nothing. I meant 'go' and she
went.--There was no delay--I saw her walk by the window almost at once,
and overheard the whisper, 'who next?'

I now rang the bell, and Dinah came to the door, saying, before she
knocked, the waiter is out, sir, so I answered your ring.

'Do you know where Thomas lives?'

'Yes sir.'

'Then tell him I want him now--'

'Yes sir,' she disappeared.

Oh the benefit of that _slam_.

In half an hour in walked Thomas.

'Never do you enter my room without knocking. It is a piece of
impertinence I will not put up with.'

'I did not mean anything by it, sir.'

'Well, don't do it again, and always take your hat off when you come
before a gentleman or lady. Such ignorance might lose you a good place.'

His wages were high I knew. It was also winter, and he gave in. He stood
still with his hat in hand and waited.

'Thomas I want you to bring the close carriage to the door with the two
bays.'

'Yes sir; but the off horse cast his hind shoe yesterday and I am
afraid.'

'You need not be, the ground is covered with snow. I shall want the
carriage in fifteen minutes.'

'Yes sir, but--'

'But what?'

'I left the carriage this morning at the blacksmiths to have a new tire
put on it, sir.'

'Who told you to?'

'Nobody, sir.'

'Then never do anything of that kind again without first reporting it to
me.'

'Yes sir,' moving slightly towards the door as though it was all settled
now.

'What other vehicle have you got in the stable?'

'The Phaeton, sir; the open box wagon and the carryall.'

'Very well then, bring the nigh horse round in the carryall.'

'He never went in single harness since I drove Mrs. ----'

'Well, then, put the other one in.'

'Nor him neither, sir.'

'Humph!' it looked a little black.

'Well, where is the other horse, the gray, that your mistress always
drives when alone?'

'He is at the veterinary surgeons, sir.--I took him there last Monday
and he is to be blistered for two weeks off and on, sir.'

'Well, Thomas, as the coachman of the family, I ask you what can be
done.

'I _must_ go out to-night. Can you suggest anything?'

'Nothing but to hire a hack, sir.'

'That's a very good idea, how far is the livery stable from here?'

'Just next to where I live, sir. I can get one in a minute, sir.'

Oh! so cheerfully.

'Very well, Thomas, just harness the two bays and ride down there and
put them to one. Te