But she has naturally a more irritable constitution than the black horse; flies tease her more; anything wrong in her harness frets her more; and if she were ill-used or unfairly treated she would not be unlikely to give tit for tat.

You know that many high-mettled horses will do so." [Illustration] "Of course," said York, "I quite understand; but you know it is not easy in stables like these to have all the grooms just what they should be.

I do my best, and there I must leave it.

I'll remember what you have said about the mare." They were going out of the stable, when John stopped, and said, "I had better mention that we have never used the check-rein with either of them; the black horse never had one on, and the dealer said it was the gag-bit that spoiled the other's temper." "Well," said York, "if they come here, they must wear the check-rein.

I prefer a loose rein myself, and his lordship is always very reasonable about horses; but my lady--that's another thing; she will have style, and if her carriage horses are not reined up tight she wouldn't look at them.