Bohenna departed.
Eli piled up some more straw and cleared the manger out. A shadow fell across the litter.
“Might mix a small mash for him,” he said without looking round.
“Mash for who?” a voice inquired. Eli turned about and saw not Bohenna but Simeon Penaluna dressed in his best.
“Been to market,” Simeon explained; “looked in on the way back. What have you got here?”
“Horse down with colic. Mother turned him loose into the stable, corn bin was open, he ate his fill and then had a good drink at the trough. I’ve had a proper job with him.”
“All right now, eddn ’a?”
“Yes, I think so.”
Simeon shuffled his expansive feet. “Don’t see much of you up to Roswarva these days.”
“No.”