He was rewarded with a glowing look. “I did not know you would be so kind!” said Arabella. “It is a splendid notion, for the poor little fellow needs plenty of good food, and I am sure he must get it in your house! Listen, Jemmy, you are to go with this gentleman, who is to be your new master, and be a good boy, and do as he bids you!”
Jemmy, clutching a fold of her dress was understood to say that he preferred to remain with her. She bent over him, patting his shoulder. “No, you cannot stay with me, my dear, and I am sure you would not like it half so well if you could, for you must know that he has a great many horses, and will very likely let you see them. Did you come here in your curricle, sir?” Mr. Beaumaris bowed. “Well, there, do you hear that, Jemmy?” said Arabella, in a heartening tone. “You are to drive away in a carnage, behind a pair of beautiful gray horses!”
“I am driving my chestnuts today,” said Mr. Beaumaris apologetically. “I am so sorry, but I feel I should perhaps mention it!”
“You did very right,” said Arabella approvingly. “One should never tell untruths to children! Chestnuts, Jemmy, glossy brown horses! How grand you will feel sitting up behind them!”
Apparently the urchin felt that there was much in what she said. He released her gown, and directed his sharp gaze upon his new owner. “Proper good ’uns?” he asked suspiciously.
“Proper good ’uns,” corroborated Mr. Beaumaris gravely.
Jemmy slid from the chair. “You ain’t slumming me? You won’t go a-givin’ of me back to ole Grimsby?”
“No, I won’t do that. Come and take a look at my horses!”
Jemmy hesitated, glancing up at Arabella, who at once took his hand, and said: “Yes, let us go and see them!”
When Jemmy beheld the equipage being led up and down the street, his eyes widened, and he drew a shuddering breath of ecstasy. “That’s a bang-up set-out, that is!” he said. “Will I drive them ’orses, guv’nor?”