The Queen said, "Yes, but it is so nice to be of use to any one;" and seeing that he was engaged in unbuckling the horse from the plough on the right side, she did as much for the one on the left.
The ploughman said, "Now, can you ride?"
"Well, I've never tried, but I dare say I could if they didn't go too fast."
"No, I don't think they'll go fast," he said. "Here, let me lift you on. There, catch hold of the horns of the collar."
And in a moment the Queen was seated sideways on the great horse. The ploughman made his way to the horse's head and led it down the valley again. The other horse went quietly along by the side of them.
"How delicious everything looks in the owl-light!" the Queen said.
And the ploughman sighed. "I—I can't see it." he said. "I can't see anything. I'm blind."
The Queen said, "Blind! Why, I should never have known it. You are as skilful as any one else."
The ploughman answered, "Oh yes, I can manage pretty well because I'm used to it, and there are many ways of managing things; but it is an affliction."
The horses went carefully down the hill, and in a little space they had reached the valley whence the Queen had started. It was now quite dark there, and the harvest moon had not yet arisen, but at no great distance from them the Queen could see a light winking.