The job-master stroked away a grin. No doubt there was something unbusinesslike and unpractical in such precipitation, especially as combined with my appearance at the time.
'Well, you 'ave took a voilent fancy to the 'orse and no mistake, sir,' he remarked.
'I never crossed a handsomer creature,' I said; which was hardly a prudent remark for an intending purchaser, but then, there was the animal himself to be conciliated.
'I don't know, really, as I can do without him just at this time of year,' said the man. 'I'm under-'orsed as it is for the work I've got to do.'
A sweet relief stole over me: I had done all that could be expected of me. 'I'm very sorry to hear that,' I said, preparing to dismount. 'That is a disappointment; but if you can't there's an end of it.'
'Don't you be afraid,' said Brutus, 'he'll sell me readily enough: make him an offer, quick!'
'I'll give you thirty guineas for him, come!' I said, knowing well enough that he would not take twice the money.
'I thought a gentleman like you would have had more insight into the value of a 'orse,' he said: 'why, his action alone is worth that, sir.'
'You couldn't let me have the action without the horse, I suppose?' I said, and I must have intended some joke.
It is unnecessary to prolong a painful scene. Brutus ran me up steadily from sum to sum, until his owner said at last: 'Well, we won't 'aggle, sir, call it a hundred.'