“Ah!” said Mr. Raymond, hastily—“you've been laming him—have you? That accounts for it. I see, I see.”
“It wasn't my fault, and he's all right now. I don't know how it happened, but—”
“He did it on purpose,” said Diamond. “He put his foot on a stone just to twist his ankle.”
“How do you know that, Diamond?” said his father, turning to him. “I never said so, for I could not think how it came.”
“I heard it—in the stable,” answered Diamond.
“Let's have a look at him,” said Mr. Raymond.
“If you'll step into the yard,” said Joseph, “I'll bring him out.”
They went, and Joseph, having first taken off his harness, walked Ruby into the middle of the yard.
“Why,” said Mr. Raymond, “you've not been using him well.”
“I don't know what you mean by that, sir. I didn't expect to hear that from you. He's sound in wind and limb—as sound as a barrel.”