"So much the better for you very like."
"I quite agree--as a general thing; but, however--" he broke off and looked at his watch.
"My word, only four o'clock! Who'd have thought it?" he exclaimed.
"In my case I've been throwed a lot with men," said Rhoda.
"So you have, and no doubt you'll understand 'em pretty well. In fact, you're as brave as most men. I'm sure now you are braver than me."
"Ban't you brave then?"
"I'm brave by fits and starts," said Mr. Snell. "With cattle, yes; with horses, no. When I was a little nipper, not above twelve or thirteen year old, a wicked horse got me down and bit my shoulder to the bone. He'd have killed me in another moment, but the Lord sent a man with a pitchfork and I was saved. But I feared a horse from that day, and if I could show you my shoulder, which, of course, I wouldn't offer for to do, you'd see how I was mangled by the teeth of him."
"Some horses be as uncertain as dogs, and they've got terrible long memories--better than ours sometimes."
"No doubt you know, so full of learning about four-footed things as you be."
"We'll turn now, please."