“Well, your worship, she did, but—”
“Did any of you object to her doing so at the time?” asked the Squire.
“Well, no, your worship, but—”
“Did you raise any objection when the donkeys were just going to start?”
“Well, no, sir, but—”
“Very well, then. It’s all perfectly fair, and Mrs. Evans gets the watch and bag of money.”
“Please, sir, it isn’t fair, it isn’t fair! You—”
When I heard this, I at once put my head down on the table, and taking up the watch and bag in my teeth, put them into Mother Evans’s hands. This intelligent action on my part made the people roar with laughter, and won for me thunders of applause.
“There!” said the Squire, “the donkey has decided in favor of Mother Evans; and,” he added, with a smile, looking at Bill and Andrew, “I don’t think he is the biggest donkey present!”
“Bravo, your worship!” “Good for you!” resounded on all sides. And every one began to laugh at Andrew and Bill, who went away looking cross and ill-tempered.