He had been rather patient, considering he was a boy, for boys do not care about ribbons and sashes and those sorts of things, though he was very pleased with his own boots. So mamma looked out the parcel of his reins before she undid the tapes and cottons and buttons she had got for nurse.
“They are really very good reins,” she said. “I told you we got them at the saddler’s. They are much better and stronger than those you buy at a toy-shop.”
Leigh turned them over in his hands and pulled them and tugged them in a very knowing way.
“Yes,” he said, “they’re not bad—not bad at all. In fact they are beauties. And what did they cost?”
“They cost rather dear,” she said,—“dearer than you expected. But if you pay me two shillings, I will give you a present of the rest.”
“Whew!” said Leigh, “more than two shillings. But they are first-rate. Thank you very much indeed, mamma.”
“And you won’t over-drive your horses or your horse, will you?” said mamma. “I suppose Artie will be your regular one, or do you mean to have a pair—Mary too?”
Leigh did not answer at once.
“I shall drive Artie sometimes, and Mary sometimes, if she likes,” he said. “But I’ve, another horse too, better than them.”
Mamma did not pay much attention to what he said; she thought he meant one of the gardener’s boys or the page, with whom he was allowed to play sometimes, as they were good boys.