"What is the matter?" I inquired. "Have you come to tell me how very industrious you are, or do you want some more money?" I had previously observed that when Osman wished to speak to me, these two topics were almost invariably the subject of his conversation.
"No, Effendi, but the horse—"
"Which horse?"
"The bay that makes a noise."
"Well, what of him?"
"He is lame. My brother has seen him. I have seen him. He will not be able to carry his pack to-morrow."
"Hire two horses instead of one, and lead the roarer."
"Yes, Effendi, that is what I have been trying to do; but the people ask for many liras; their hearts are stony at the sight of our difficulties, they open wide their purses for the Effendi's gold."
"Have you been to the post?"
"Yes, but the postmaster has ten horses, and only one man to look after them. The postmaster says if you hire two baggage animals that you must pay for ten."