Martin, who was sitting lazily in the kitchen, rose somewhat sulkily and said,—
“It’s not the day for a ride. Sure Juno’s that saucy with want of work there’ll be no holding her in. Besides, the master—”
But the young lady cut him short.
“Get up, sir, at once, and do as you are bid. There’s more than Juno is saucy with want of work. Be quick now.”
He went off with a scowl, and presently returned, leading out Juno and the horse on which he was to follow—a great-limbed animal called Paddy.
What he had said about my little lady’s mare was very true. High-spirited she was at best of times, but a week’s idleness and eating had made her fairly wicked; and as I looked out from the kitchen door to watch them start, I wished it was my business and not Martin’s to see her safe on her way.
“Hold her head till I mount,” said Miss Kit, after trying for a minute or two to coax the mare into peace. “She will be easy enough when I am up.”
But though Martin held her head, the animal yet started and shied and curvetted every time Miss Kit gathered the reins in her hand and lifted her foot to the stirrup.
So I came out to the yard and gave her my hand to mount by.
Martin scowled very black at this.