“Oh, I reckon so. Beggars mustn’t be choosers—and I sure need him. Thirty dollars, you said?”
“Wouldn’t take a cent more. I’m not gougin’ you. That’s his price, weekdays or Sunday. He don’t look much, but he ain’t such a bad little hoss.”
Hales nodded. “He’ll do, I guess.”
“You done bought a horse!” said Bobby. “And Johnny, he’s got a mount to make him a rep—if they don’t spill him.” He broke into rollicking song:
They picked me up and carried me in;
They rubbed me down with a rolling pin.
“Oh, that’s the way we all begin,
You’re doing well,” says Brown;
“To-morrow morn, if you don’t die,
I’ll give you another horse to try.”
“Oh, can’t you let me walk?” says I——
Here he cocked an impish eye at Dines, observed that gentleman’s mournful face, and broke the song short.
“What’s the matter with you now, Dinesy? You can ride ’em, of course. No trouble after you first take the edge off.”
“It isn’t that,” said Dines sorrowfully. “I—I—you ain’t a bit to blame, but—”
He stopped, embarrassed.
“What’s the matter, you old fool? Spill it!”