Ed. Thank you.
Dr. R. (preparing to leave). By the way, I suppose you will favor me with a notice?
Ed. (hesitating). Ye-es.
(Exit Dr. R., L.)
(Ed. sits down to write. After a moment’s pause Ephraim Simpson, who has been writing (when not gazing at visitors), starts up.)
E. S. Well, Mister Editor, how’s that? (handing him a paper.)
Ed. (reading aloud). The hoss.—The hoss is a noble animal. He is also interestin’ and knows a good deal. Some folks get very much attached to their hosses. I knowed a Frenchman once, that thought so much of his hoss that he even went so far as to call his own mother a mare as a pet name. Hosses are very interestin’ animals when they don’t rare up. Not havin’ any more to say on this subjick, I will stop.
Ed. (gravely). That is very good; but, on the whole, I don’t think there is any need of an assistant just yet. If there should be a time when I stand in need of one, I will certainly think of you.
E. S. (disappointed). Then you haint got anything for me to do?
Ed. Not just now.