Then she stepped up briskly, and cried out: "I 'eard all about yer luck, an' I sez to myself, 'it couldn't 'ave 'appened to a more deservin' young feller.' You'll ride in yer carriage yet, mark my words." She came nearer and stared at the mare, anxious to find fault, but knowing nothing of the points of a horse.

She decided to make friends with it, and rubbed its nose.

The animal, giving her an affectionate look, furtively tried to bite her arm, and then threw back its head, expecting the rap on the nose that always followed this attempt.

Mrs Partridge trembled with fear and rage.
"Well, I never!" she cried.

"The sly brute! Looked at me like a 'uman being, an' then tried to eat me, which I could never understand people preachin' about kindness to dumb animals, an' 'orses takin' a delight in runnin' over people in the street every day." "It's because they've got relations that makes 'em thankful animals are dumb," said Chook.
"Meaning me ?" cried Mrs Partridge, smelling an insult.
"You ?" said Chook, affecting surprise.