6/9 I bought that sorrel nag for you. He isn't up to my weight." "But--" "Well, but what, boy ?" "I've never been on a horse, father," said Nic, with a shamefaced air. "Riding was not included in the range of studies at the Friary." "But we boys used to catch the donkeys on the common of an evening, and mount them." "Oh, come," cried the doctor; "then you can ride a donkey ?" "Sometimes, father," said Nic, laughing. "They often used to send us off." "Kicking ?" "It was hardly kicking, father. One I used to try and ride would stand perfectly still till I was on and tried to make him go, and then he used to bring all his legs close together, put his head down, arch up his back, and somehow or other, when he began to dance about, we always got shot off, and came down on our backs. |