Of course he knew the height of his own horse and it would be criminal to take the old loafer's money, but that was his determination.
"Get a tape, son.

We'll see." The stable boy disappeared in the shadow of the door and came back at once with the measure.

The grey gelding, in the meantime, had smelled the sweetness of hay and was growing restive but a sharp word from the rider jerked him up like a tug on his bit.

He tossed his head and waited, his ears flat.
"Look out, Dad," called the rider, as he arranged the tape to fall from the withers of the horse, "this little devil'll kick your head off quicker than a wink if he gets a chance." "He don't look mean," said the greybeard, stepping back in haste.
"I like 'em mean and I keep 'em mean," said the other.

"A tame hoss is like a tame man and I don't give a damn for a gent who won't fight." Marianne covertly stamped.