He lays the blame of former inaccuracies on evil company--the people who were at the livery-stable were too seductive, I suppose--he denies he ever did the horse injustice--would rather have wanted his own dinner, he says.
In this I believe him, as Roan Robin's ribs and coat show no marks of contradiction.

However, as he will meet with no saints in the inns we frequent, and as oats are sometimes as speedily converted into ale as John Barleycorn himself, I shall keep a look-out after Master Sam.
Stupid fellow! had he not abused my good nature, I might have chatted to him to keep my tongue in exercise; whereas now I must keep him at a distance.
Do you remember what Mr.Fairford said to me on this subject--it did not become my father's son to speak in that manner to Sam's father's son?
I asked you what your father could possibly know of mine; and you answered, 'As much, you supposed, as he knew of Sam's--it was a proverbial expression.' This did not quite satisfy me; though I am sure I cannot tell why it should not.

But I am returning to a fruitless and exhausted subject.

Do not be afraid that I shall come back on this well-trodden yet pathless field of conjecture.

I know nothing so useless, so utterly feeble and contemptible, as the groaning forth one's lamentations into the ears of our friends.
I would fain promise you that my letters shall be as entertaining as I am determined they shall be regular and well filled.