So he was quite pleased and proud, and perhaps said to himself something like this-- "I'm a stupid old horse, who can't brush his own coat; but there's my young godson on my back, cleaning me like an angel." I won't vouch for what the old horse was thinking, for it is very difficult to find out what any old horse is thinking.
"Oh dear!" said Diamond when he had done, "I'm so tired!" And he laid himself down at full length on old Diamond's back.
By this time all the men in the stable were gathered about the two Diamonds, and all much amused.

One of them lifted him down, and from that time he was a greater favourite than before.

And if ever there was a boy who had a chance of being a prodigy at cab-driving, Diamond was that boy, for the strife came to be who should have him out with him on the box.
His mother, however, was a little shy of the company for him, and besides she could not always spare him.

Also his father liked to have him himself when he could; so that he was more desired than enjoyed among the cabmen.
But one way and another he did learn to drive all sorts of horses, and to drive them well, and that through the most crowded streets in London City.

Of course there was the man always on the box-seat beside him, but before long there was seldom the least occasion to take the reins from out of his hands.