CHAPTERXXXIV
TheOldMan’sStorycontinued—MiseryintheHead—TheStrangeMarks—Tea—dealerfromLondon—DifficultiesoftheChineseLanguage。
AFTERanotherpausetheoldmanoncemoreresumedhisnarration：—\"Ifevertherewasamanperfectlymiserableitwasmyself，afterthelossofthatcherishedwoman。Isatsolitaryinthehouse，inwhichIhadhopedinhercompanytorealizethechoicestearthlyhappiness，apreytothebitterestreflections；manypeoplevisited，andendeavouredtoconsoleme—amongstthemwastheclergymanoftheparish，whobeggedmetoberesigned，andtoldmethatitwasgoodtobeafflicted。Ibowedmyhead，butIcouldnothelpthinkinghoweasyitmustbeforthosewhofeelnoaffliction，tobidotherstoberesigned，andtotalkofthebenefitresultingfromsorrow；perhapsIshouldhavepaidmoreattentiontohisdiscoursethanIdid，providedhehadbeenapersonforwhomitwaspossibletoentertainmuchrespect，buthisownheartwasknowntobesetonthethingsofthisworld。
\"Withinalittletimehehadanopportunity，inhisowncase，ofpractisingresignation，andofrealizingthebenefitofbeingafflicted。Amerchant，towhomhehadentrustedallhisfortune，inthehopeofalargeinterest，becamesuddenlyabankrupt，withscarcelyanyassets。Iwillnotsaythatitwasowingtothismisfortunethatthedivinediedinlessthanamonthafteritsoccurrence，butsuchwasthefact。
Amongstthosewhomostfrequentlyvisitedmewasmyfriendthesurgeon；hedidnotconfinehimselftothecommontopicsofconsolation，butendeavouredtoimpressuponmethenecessityofrousingmyself，advisingmetooccupymymindwithsomepursuit，particularlyrecommendingagriculture；butagriculturepossessednointerestforme，nor，indeed，anypursuitwithinmyreach；myhopesofhappinesshadbeenblighted，andwhatcaredIforanything？soatlasthethoughtitbesttoleavemetomyself，hopingthattimewouldbringwithitconsolation；andIremainedsolitaryinmyhouse，waiteduponbyamaleandafemaleservant。Oh，whatdrearymomentsIpassed！Myonlyamusement—anditwasasadone—wastolookatthethingswhichoncebelongedtomybeloved，andwhichwerenewinmypossession。Oh，howfondlywouldIdwelluponthem！Thereweresomebooks；Icarednotforbooks，butthesehadbelongedtomybeloved。Oh，howfondlydidIdwellonthem！Thentherewasherhatandbonnet—oh，me，howfondlydidIgazeuponthem！andafterlookingatherthingsforhours，IwouldsitandruminateonthehappinessIhadlost。HowIexecratedthemomentIhadgonetothefairtosellhorses！’WouldthatIhadneverbeentoHorncastletosellhorses！’Iwouldsay；’Imightatthismomenthavebeenenjoyingthecompanyofmybeloved，leadingahappy，quiet，easylife，butforthatfatalexpedition；’thatthoughtworkedonmybrain，tillmybrainseemedtoturnround。
\"OnedayIsatatthebreakfast—tablegazingvacantlyaroundme，mymindwasinastateofinexpressiblemisery；therewasawhirlinmybrain，probablylikethatwhichpeoplefeelwhoarerapidlygoingmad；thisincreasedtosuchadegreethatI
feltgiddinesscominguponme。ToabatethisfeelingInolongerpermittedmyeyestowanderabout，butfixedthemuponanobjectonthetable，andcontinuedgazingatitforseveralminuteswithoutknowingwhatitwas；atlength，themiseryinmyheadwassomewhatstilled，mylipsmoved，andI
heardmyselfsaying，’Whatoddmarks！’Ihadfastenedmyeyesonthesideofateapot，andbykeepingthemfixeduponit，hadbecomeawareofafactthathadescapedmynoticebefore—namely，thatthereweremarksuponit。Ikeptmyeyesfixeduponthem，andrepeatedatintervals，’Whatstrangemarks！’—forIthoughtthatlookinguponthemarkstendedtoabatethewhirlinmyhead：Ikepttracingthemarksoneaftertheother，andIobservedthatthoughtheyallboreageneralresemblancetoeachother，theywerealltoacertainextentdifferent。Thesmallestportionpossibleofcuriousinteresthadbeenawakenedwithinme，and，atlast，Iaskedmyself，withinmyownmind，’Whatmotivecouldinducepeopletoputsuchoddmarksontheircrockery？theywerenotpictures，theywerenotletters；whatmotivecouldpeoplehaveforputtingthemthere？’AtlastIremovedmyeyesfromtheteapot，andthoughtforafewmomentsaboutthemarks；presently，however，Ifeltthewhirlreturning；themarksbecamealmosteffacedfrommymind，andIwasbeginningtoreverttomymiserableruminations，whensuddenlymethoughtIheardavoicesay，’Themarks！themarks！clingtothemarks？or—’SoIfixedmyeyesagainuponthemarks，inspectingthemmoreattentively，ifpossible，thanIhaddonebefore，and，atlast，Icametotheconclusionthattheywerenotcapriciousorfancifulmarks，butwerearrangedsystematically；whenIhadgazedatthemforaconsiderabletime，Iturnedtheteapotround，andontheothersideI
observedmarksofasimilarkind，whichIsoondiscoveredwereidenticalwiththeonesIhadbeenobserving。Allthemarksweresomethingalike，butallsomewhatdifferent，andoncomparingthemwitheachother，Iwasstruckwiththefrequentoccurrenceofamarkcrossinganuprightline，orprojectingfromit，nowontheright，nowontheleftside；
andIsaidtomyself，’Whydoesthismarksometimescrosstheuprightline，andsometimesproject？’andthemoreIthoughtonthematter，thelessdidIfeelofthemiseryinmyhead。
\"Thethingswereatlengthremoved，andIsat，asIhadforsometimepastbeenwonttositaftermymeals，silentandmotionless；butinthepresentinstancemymindwasnotentirelyabandonedtotheonemournfulideawhichhadsolongdistressedit。Itwas，toacertainextent，occupiedwiththemarksontheteapot；itistruethatthemournfulideastrovehardwiththemarksontheteapotforthemasteryinmymind，andatlastthepainfulideadrovethemarksoftheteapotout；they，however，wouldoccasionallyreturnandflitacrossmymindforamomentortwo，andtheircomingwaslikeamomentaryrelieffromintensepain。IthoughtonceortwicethatIwouldhavetheteapotplacedbeforeme，thatI
mightexaminethemarksatleisure，butIconsideredthatitwouldbeaswelltodeferthere—examinationofthemarkstillthenextmorning；atthattimeIdidnottaketeaofanevening。Bydeferringtheexaminationthus，Ihadsomethingtolookforwardtoonthenextmorning。Thedaywasamelancholyone，butitcertainlywasmoretolerabletomethananyoftheothershadbeensincethedeathofmybeloved。AsIlayawakethatnightIoccasionallythoughtofthemarks，andinmysleepmethoughtIsawthemupontheteapotvividlybeforeme。Onthemorrow，Iexaminedthemarksagain；howsingulartheylooked！Surelytheymustmeansomething，andifso，whatcouldtheymean？andatlastI
thoughtwithinmyselfwhetheritwouldbepossibleformetomakeoutwhattheymeant：thatdayIfeltmorereliefthanontheprecedingone，andtowardsnightIwalkedalittleabout。
\"Inaboutaweek’stimeIreceivedavisitfrommyfriendthesurgeon；afteralittlediscourse，hetoldmethatheperceivedIwasbetterthanwhenhehadlastseenme，andaskedmewhatIhadbeenabout；ItoldhimthatIhadbeenprincipallyoccupiedinconsideringcertainmarkswhichIhadfoundonateapot，andwonderingwhattheycouldmean；hesmiledatfirst，butinstantlyassumingaseriouslook，heaskedtoseetheteapot。Iproducedit，andafterhavingsurveyedthemarkswithattention，heobservedthattheywerehighlycurious，andalsowonderedwhattheymeant。’I
stronglyadviseyou，’saidhe，’toattempttomakethemout，andalsototakemoderateexercise，andtoseeafteryourconcerns。’Ifollowedhisadvice；everymorningIstudiedthemarksontheteapot，andinthecourseofthedaytookmoderateexercise，andattendedtolittledomesticmatters，asbecamethemasterofahouse。
\"Isubsequentlylearnedthatthesurgeon，inadvisingmetostudythemarks，andendeavourtomakeouttheirmeaning，merelyhopedthatbymeansofthemmymindmightbydegreesbedivertedfromthemournfulideaonwhichIhadsolongbrooded。Hewasamanwellskilledinhisprofession，buthadreadandthoughtverylittleonmattersunconnectedwithit。Hehadnoideathatthemarkshadanyparticularsignification，orwereanythingelsebutcommonandfortuitousones。ThatIbecameatallacquaintedwiththeirnaturewasowingtoaludicrouscircumstancewhichIwillnowrelate。
\"Oneday，chancingtobeataneighbouringtown，Iwasstruckwiththeappearanceofashoprecentlyestablished。Ithadanimmensebow—window，andeverypartofit，towhichabrushcouldbeapplied，waspaintedinagaudyflamingstyle。
Largebowlsofgreenandblackteawereplaceduponcertainchests，whichstoodatthewindow。Istoppedtolookatthem，suchadisplay，whateveritmaybeatthepresenttime，being，attheperiodofwhichIamspeaking，quiteuncommoninacountrytown。Thetea，whetherblackorgreen，wasveryshiningandinviting，andthebowls，ofwhichtherewerethree，standingonasmanychests，wereverygrandandforeignlooking。Twoofthesewerewhite，withfiguresandtreespaintedupontheminblue；theother，whichwasthemiddlemost，hadneithertreesnorfiguresuponit，but，asI
lookedthroughthewindow，appearedtohaveonitssidestheverysamekindofmarkswhichIhadobservedontheteapotathome；therewerealsomarksonthetea—chests，somewhatsimilar，butmuchlarger，and，apparently，notexecutedwithsomuchcare。’BestteasdirectfromChina，’saidavoiceclosetomyside；andlookingroundIsawayoungishman，withafrizzledhead，flatface，andanimmenselywidemouth，standinginhisshirt—sleevesbythedoor。’DirectfromChina，’saidhe；’perhapsyouwilldomethefavourtowalkinandscentthem？’’Idonotwantanytea，’saidI；’Iwasonlystandingatthewindowexaminingthosemarksonthebowlandthechests。Ihaveobservedsimilaronesonateapotathome。’’Praywalkin，sir，’saidtheyoungfellow，extendinghismouthtillitreachednearlyfromeartoear；’praywalkin，andIshallbehappytogiveyouanyinformationrespectingthemannersandcustomsoftheChineseinmypower。’ThereuponIfollowedhimintohisshop，wherehebegantoharangueonthemanners，customs，andpeculiaritiesoftheChinese，especiallytheirmannerofpreparingtea，notforgettingtotellmethattheonlygenuineChineseteaeverimportedintoEnglandwastobefoundinhisshop。’Withrespecttothosemarks，’saidhe，’onthebowlandchests，theyarenothingmorenorlessthanChinesewritingexpressingsomething，thoughwhatIcan’texactlytellyou。
Allowmetosellyouthispoundoftea，’headded，showingmeapaperparcel。’OntheenvelopethereisaprintedaccountoftheChinesesystemofwriting，extractedfromauthorsofthemostestablishedreputation。ThesethingsIprint，principallywiththehopeof，insomedegree，removingtheworsethanGothicignoranceprevalentamongstnativesoftheseparts。IamfromLondonmyself。WithrespecttoallthatrelatestotheChineserealimperialtea，Iassureyousir，that—’Well，tomakeshortofwhatyoudoubtlessconsideraverytiresomestory，Ipurchasedtheteaandcarriedithome。Theteaprovedimperiallybad，butthepaperenvelopereallycontainedsomeinformationontheChineselanguageandwriting，amountingtoaboutasmuchasyougainedfrommetheotherday。Onlearningthatthemarksontheteapotexpressedwords，Ifeltmyinterestwithrespecttothemconsiderablyincreased，andreturnedtothetaskofinspectingthemwithgreaterzealthanbefore，hoping，bycontinuallylookingatthem，tobeableeventuallytounderstandtheirmeaning，inwhichhopeyoumayeasilybelieveIwasdisappointed，thoughmydesiretounderstandwhattheyrepresentedcontinuedontheincrease。InthisdilemmaIdeterminedtoapplyagaintotheshopkeeperfromwhomIboughtthetea。Ifoundhiminratherlowspirits，hisshirt—sleevesweresoiled，andhishairwasoutofcurl。
Onmyinquiringhowhegoton，heinformedmethatheintendedspeedilytoleave，havingreceivedlittleornoencouragement，thepeople，intheirGothicignorance，preferringtodealwithanold—fashionedshopkeeperovertheway，who，sofarfrompossessinganyacquaintancewiththepolityandinstitutionsoftheChinese，didnot，hebelieved，knowthatteacamefromChina。’Youarecomeforsomemore，Isuppose？’saidhe。Onreceivingananswerinthenegativehelookedsomewhatblank，butwhenIaddedthatIcametoconsultwithhimastothemeanswhichImusttakeinordertoacquiretheChineselanguagehebrightenedup。’Youmustgetagrammar，’saidhe，rubbinghishands。’Haveyounotone？’saidI。’No，’hereplied，’butanybooksellercanprocureyouone。’AsIwastakingmydeparture，hetoldmethatashewasabouttoleavetheneighbourhood，thebowlatthewindow，whichboretheinscription，besidessomeotherpiecesofporcelainofasimilardescription，wereatmyservice，providedIchosetopurchasethem。Iconsented，andtwoorthreedaysafterwardstookfromoffhishandsallthechinainhispossessionwhichboretheinscriptions，payingwhathedemanded。HadIwaitedtillthesaleofhiseffects，whichoccurredwithinafewweeks，IcouldprobablyhaveprocureditforafifthpartofthesumwhichIpaid，theotherpiecesrealizingverylittle。Ididnot，however，grudgethepoorfellowwhathegotfromme，asIconsideredmyselftobesomewhatinhisdebtfortheinformationhehadaffordedme。
\"Asfortherestofmystory，itmaybebrieflytold。I
followedtheadviceoftheshopkeeper，andappliedtoabooksellerwhowrotetohiscorrespondentinLondon。Afteralonginterval，IwasinformedthatifIwishedtolearnChinese，ImustdosothroughthemediumofFrench，therebeingneitherChinesegrammarnordictionaryinourlanguage。
Iwasatfirstverymuchdisheartened。Idetermined，however，atlasttogratifymydesireoflearningChinese，evenattheexpenseoflearningFrench。Iprocuredthebooks，andinordertoqualifymyselftoturnthemtoaccount，tooklessonsinFrenchfromalittleSwiss，theusherofaneighbouringboarding—school。IwasverystupidinacquiringFrench；perseverance，however，enabledmetoacquireaknowledgesufficientfortheobjectIhadinview。
InabouttwoyearsIbegantostudyChinesebymyself，throughthemediumoftheFrench。\"
\"Well，\"saidI，\"andhowdidyougetonwiththestudyoftheChinese？\"
AndthentheoldmanproceededtoinformmehowhegotonwiththestudyofChinese，enumeratedallthedifficultieshehadhadtoencounter；dilatinguponhisfrequentdespondencyofmind，andoccasionallyhisutterdespairofevermasteringChinese。Hetoldmethatmorethanoncehehaddeterminedupongivingupthestudy，butwhenthemiseryinhisheadforthwithreturned，toescapefromwhichhehadasoftenresumedit。Itappeared，however，thattenyearselapsedbeforehewasabletousetenofthetwohundredandfourteenkeys，whichservetoundothelocksofChinesewriting。
\"Andareyouableatpresenttousetheentirenumber？\"I
demanded。
\"Yes，\"saidtheoldman；\"Icanatpresentusethewholenumber。Iknowthekeyforeveryparticularlock，thoughI
frequentlyfindthewardsunwillingtogiveway。\"
\"Hasnothingparticularoccurredtoyou，\"saidI，\"duringthetimethatyouhavebeenprosecutingyourstudies？\"
\"DuringthewholetimeinwhichIhavebeenengagedinthesestudies，\"saidtheoldman，\"onlyonecircumstancehasoccurredwhichrequiresanyparticularmention—thedeathofmyoldfriendthesurgeon—whowascarriedoffsuddenlybyafitofapoplexy。Hisdeathwasagreatshocktome，andforatimeinterruptedmystudies。Hisson，however，whosucceededhim，wasverykindtome，and，insomedegree，suppliedhisfather’splace；andIgraduallyreturnedtomyChineselocksandkeys。\"
\"AndinapplyingkeystotheChineselocksyouemployyourtime？\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheoldman，\"inmakingouttheinscriptionsonthevariouspiecesofporcelain，whichIhaveatdifferenttimesprocured，Ipassmytime。ThefirstinscriptionwhichItranslatedwasthatontheteapotofmybeloved。\"
\"Andhowmanyotherpiecesofporcelainmayyouhaveatpresentinyourpossession？\"
\"Aboutfifteenhundred。\"
\"Andhowdidyouobtainthem？\"Idemanded。
\"Withoutmuchlabour，\"saidtheoldman，\"intheneighbouringtownsandvillages—chieflyatauctions—ofwhich，abouttwentyyearsago，thereweremanyintheseparts。\"
\"AndmayIaskyourreasonsforconfiningyourstudiesentirelytothecrockeryliteratureofChina，whenyouhavealltherestatyourdisposal？\"
\"Theinscriptionsenablemetopassmytime，\"saidtheoldman；\"whatmorewouldthewholeliteratureofChinado？\"
\"Andfromtheseinscriptions，\"saidI，\"whatabookitisinyourpowertomake，wheneversodisposed。’TranslationsfromthecrockeryliteratureofChina。’Suchabookwouldbesuretotake；evengloriousJohnhimselfwouldnotdisdaintopublishit。\"Theoldmansmiled。\"Ihavenodesireforliterarydistinction，\"saidhe；\"noambition。Myoriginalwishwastopassmylifeineasy，quietobscurity，withherwhomIloved。Iwasdisappointedinmywish；shewasremoved，whoconstitutedmyonlyfelicityinthislife；
desolationcametomyheart，andmiserytomyhead。ToescapefromthelatterIhadrecoursetoChinese。Bydegreesthemiseryleftmyhead，butthedesolationoftheheartyetremains。\"
\"Beofgoodcheer，\"saidI；\"throughtheinstrumentalityofthisafflictionyouhavelearntChinese，and，insodoing，learnttopractisethedutiesofhospitality。WhobutamanwhocouldreadRunesonateapot，wouldhavereceivedanunfortunatewayfarerasyouhavereceivedme？\"
\"Well，\"saidtheoldman，\"letushopethatallisforthebest。Iambynatureindolent，and，butforthisaffliction，should，perhaps，havehardlytakenthetroubletodomydutytomyfellow—creatures。Iamvery，veryindolent，\"saidhe，slightlyglancingtowardstheclock；\"thereforeletushopethatallisforthebest；but，oh！thesetrials，theyareveryhardtobear。\"
CHAPTERXXXV
TheLeave—taking—SpiritoftheHearth—What’so’Clock？
THEnextmorning，havingbreakfastedwithmyoldfriend，I
wentintothestabletomakethenecessarypreparationsformydeparture；there，withtheassistanceofastablelad，I
cleanedandcaparisonedmyhorse，andthen，returningintothehouse，ImadetheoldfemaleattendantsuchapresentasIdeemedwouldbesomecompensationforthetroubleIhadcaused。Hearingthattheoldgentlemanwasinhisstudy，I
repairedtohim。\"Iamcometotakeleaveofyou，\"saidI，\"andtothankyouforallthehospitalitywhichIhavereceivedatyourhands。\"TheeyesoftheoldmanwerefixedsteadfastlyontheinscriptionwhichIhadfoundhimstudyingonaformeroccasion。\"Atlength，\"hemurmuredtohimself，\"Ihaveit—IthinkIhaveit；\"andthen，lookingatme，hesaid，\"Soyouareabouttodepart？\"
\"Yes，\"saidI，\"myhorsewillbeatthefrontdoorinafewminutes；Iamglad，however，beforeIgo，tofindthatyouhavemasteredtheinscription。\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheoldman，\"IbelieveIhavemasteredit；itseemstoconsistofsomeversesrelatingtotheworshipoftheSpiritoftheHearth。\"
\"WhatistheSpiritoftheHearth？\"saidI。
\"OneofthemanydemonswhichtheChineseworship，\"saidtheoldman；\"theydonotworshiponeGod，butmany。\"Andthentheoldmantoldmeagreatmanyhighly—interestingparticularsrespectingthedemonworshipoftheChinese。
AfterthelapseofatleasthalfanhourIsaid，\"Imustnotlingerhereanylonger，howeverwilling。Horncastleisdistant，andIwishtobethereto—night。Praycanyouinformmewhat’so’clock？\"
Theoldman，rising，lookedtowardstheclockwhichhungonthesideoftheroomathislefthand，onthefarthersideofthetableatwhichhewasseated。
\"Iamrathershort—sighted，\"saidI，\"andcannotdistinguishthenumber，atthatdistance。\"
\"Itisteno’clock，\"saidtheoldman；\"Ibelievesomewhatpast。\"
\"Aquarter，perhaps？\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheoldman\"aquarteror—\"
\"Sevenminutes，ortenminutespastten。\"
\"Idonotunderstandyou。\"
\"Why，totellyouthetruth，\"saidtheoldman，withasmile，\"thereisonethingtotheknowledgeofwhichIcouldneverexactlyattain。\"
\"Doyoumeantosay，\"saidI，\"thatyoudonotknowwhat’so’clock？\"
\"Icangiveaguess，\"saidtheoldman，\"towithinafewminutes。\"
\"Butyoucannottelltheexactmoment？\"
\"No，\"saidtheoldman。
\"Inthenameofwonder，\"saidI，\"withthatthingthereonthewallcontinuallytickinginyourear，howcomesitthatyoudonotknowwhat’so’clock？\"
\"Why，\"saidtheoldman，\"Ihavecontentedmyselfwithgivingatolerablygoodguess；todomorewouldhavebeentoogreattrouble。\"
\"ButyouhavelearntChinese，\"saidI。
\"Yes，\"saidtheoldman，\"IhavelearntChinese。\"
\"Well，\"saidI，\"Ireallywouldcounselyoutolearntoknowwhat’so’clockassoonaspossible。Considerwhatasadthingitwouldbetogooutoftheworldnotknowingwhat’so’clock。AmillionthpartofthetroublerequiredtolearnChinesewould，ifemployed，infalliblyteachyoutoknowwhat’so’clock。\"
\"IhadamotiveforlearningChinese，\"saidtheoldman，\"thehopeofappeasingthemiseryinmyhead。Withrespecttonotknowingwhat’so’clock，Icannotseeanythingparticularlysadinthematter。Amanmaygetthroughtheworldverycreditablywithoutknowingwhat’so’clock。Yet，uponthewhole，itisnobadthingtoknowwhat’so’clock—you，ofcourse，do？Itwouldbetoogoodajokeiftwopeopleweretobetogether，oneknowingArmenianandtheotherChinese，andneitherknowingwhat’so’clock。I’llnowseeyouoff。\"
CHAPTERXXXVI
ArrivalatHorncastle—TheInnandOstlers—TheGarret—
FigureofaManwithaCandle。
LEAVINGthehouseoftheoldmanwhoknewChinese，butcouldnottellwhatwaso’clock，IwendedmywaytoHorncastle，whichIreachedintheeveningofthesameday，withouthavingmetanyadventureonthewayworthyofbeingmarkeddowninthisveryremarkablehistory。
Thetownwasasmallone，seeminglyancient，andwascrowdedwithpeopleandhorses。Iproceeded，withoutdelay，totheinntowhichmyfriendthesurgeonhaddirectedme。\"Itisofnousecominghere，\"saidtwoorthreeostlers，asI
enteredtheyard—\"allfull—noroomwhatever；\"whilstoneaddedinanundertone，\"Thaterea’n’tabad—lookinghorse。\"
\"Iwanttoseethemasterofthisinn，\"saidI，asI
dismountedfromthehorse。\"Seethemaster，\"saidanostler—thesamewhohadpaidthenegativekindofcomplimenttothehorse—\"alikelything，truly；mymasterisdrinkingwinewithsomeofthegrandgentry，andcan’tbedisturbedforthesakeofthelikeofyou。\"\"Ibringalettertohim，\"
saidI，pullingoutthesurgeon’sepistle。\"Iwishyouwoulddeliverittohim，\"Iadded，offeringahalf—crown。\"Oh，it’syou，isit？\"saidtheostler，takingtheletterandthehalf—crown；\"mymasterwillberightgladtoseeyou；why，youha’n’tbeenhereformanyayear；I’llcarrythenotetohimatonce。\"Andwiththesewordshehurriedintothehouse。\"That’sanicehorse，youngman，\"saidanotherostler，\"whatwillyoutakeforit？\"towhichinterrogationI
madenoanswer。\"Ifyouwishtosellhim，\"saidtheostler，cominguptome，andwinkingknowingly，\"IthinkIandmypartnersmightofferyouasummutunderseventypounds；\"towhichkindandhalf—insinuatedofferImadenoreply，savebywinkinginthesamekindofknowingmannerinwhichI
observedhimwink。\"Ratherleary！\"saidathirdostler。
\"Well，youngman，perhapsyouwilldrinktonightwithmeandmypartners，whenwecantalkthematterover。\"BeforeIhadtimetoanswer，thelandlord，awell—dressed，good—lookingman，madehisappearancewiththeostler；heboretheletterinhishand。Withoutglancingatme，hebetookhimselfatoncetoconsiderthehorse，goingroundhim，andobservingeverypointwiththeutmostminuteness。Atlast，havinggoneroundthehorsethreetimes，hestoppedbesideme，andkeepinghiseyesonthehorse，benthisheadtowardshisrightshoulder。\"Thathorseisworthsomemoney，\"saidhe，turningtowardsmesuddenly，andslightlytouchingmeonthearmwiththeletterwhichheheldinhishand；towhichobservationImadenoreply，savebybendingmyheadtowardstherightshoulderasIhadseenhimdo。\"Theyoungmanisgoingtotalktomeandmypartnersaboutittonight，\"saidtheostlerwhohadexpressedanopinionthatheandhisfriendsmightoffermesomewhatunderseventypoundsfortheanimal。\"Pooh！\"saidthelandlord，\"theyoungman’knowswhatheisabout；inthemeantimeleadthehorsetothereservedstall，andseewellafterhim。Myfriend，\"saidhe，takingmeasideaftertheostlerhadledtheanimalaway，\"recommendsyoutomeinthestrongestmanner，onwhichaccountaloneItakeyouandyourhorsein。Ineednotadviseyounottobetakenin，asIshouldsay，byyourlook，thatyouaretolerablyawake；buttherearequeerhandsatHorncastleatthistime，andthosefellowsofmine，youunderstandme—；butIhaveagreatdealtodoatpresent，soyoumustexcuseme。\"Andthereuponwentintothehouse。
ThatsameeveningIwasengagedatleasttwohoursinthestable，inrubbingthehorsedown，andpreparinghimfortheexhibitionwhichIintendedheshouldmakeinthefaironthefollowingday。Theostler，towhomIhadgiventhehalf—