Bess had left the library and was coming across the courtyard, where one of the other servants met her and asked some question that Barbara did not catch.

The answer in Bess's ringing voice was clear enough.
"Lord!" she said, "they always gave me the wild colts to break upon the farm.

It is a matter of eye and handling, that's all.

He nearly got me with that plaster thing, so I went for him and boxed his ears till he was dazed.

Then I kissed him afterwards till he laughed, and he'll never be any more trouble, at least with me.