I felt a little ashamed of having wished to ride without a saddle.

But as I had sold all I had, I wanted to make the money last as long as possible; or at least I would spend as little as I could, and take something back, if I ever went home at all.

We had not far to go, and Gigi opened a door in the street, and showed me a stable, in which something moved in the darkness.

Presently he led out an animal and began to descant upon its merits.
"Did you ever see a more beautiful donkey ?" asked Gigi, admiringly.
"It looks like a horse!" It was a little ass, with sad eyes, and ears as long as its tail.

It was also very thin, and had the hair rubbed off its back from carrying burdens.