CHAPTERXXXIV
　　TheOldMan’sStorycontinued—MiseryintheHead—TheStrangeMarks—Tea—dealerfromLondon—DifficultiesoftheChineseLanguage。
　　AFTERanotherpausetheoldmanoncemoreresumedhisnarration：—"Ifevertherewasamanperfectlymiserableitwasmyself，afterthelossofthatcherishedwoman。Isatsolitaryinthehouse，inwhichIhadhopedinhercompanytorealizethechoicestearthlyhappiness，apreytothebitterestreflections；manypeoplevisited，andendeavouredtoconsoleme—amongstthemwastheclergymanoftheparish，whobeggedmetoberesigned，andtoldmethatitwasgoodtobeafflicted。Ibowedmyhead，butIcouldnothelpthinkinghoweasyitmustbeforthosewhofeelnoaffliction，tobidotherstoberesigned，andtotalkofthebenefitresultingfromsorrow；perhapsIshouldhavepaidmoreattentiontohisdiscoursethanIdid，providedhehadbeenapersonforwhomitwaspossibletoentertainmuchrespect，buthisownheartwasknowntobesetonthethingsofthisworld。
　　"Withinalittletimehehadanopportunity，inhisowncase，ofpractisingresignation，andofrealizingthebenefitofbeingafflicted。Amerchant，towhomhehadentrustedallhisfortune，inthehopeofalargeinterest，becamesuddenlyabankrupt，withscarcelyanyassets。Iwillnotsaythatitwasowingtothismisfortunethatthedivinediedinlessthanamonthafteritsoccurrence，butsuchwasthefact。
　　Amongstthosewhomostfrequentlyvisitedmewasmyfriendthesurgeon；hedidnotconfinehimselftothecommontopicsofconsolation，butendeavouredtoimpressuponmethenecessityofrousingmyself，advisingmetooccupymymindwithsomepursuit，particularlyrecommendingagriculture；butagriculturepossessednointerestforme，nor，indeed，anypursuitwithinmyreach；myhopesofhappinesshadbeenblighted，andwhatcaredIforanything？soatlasthethoughtitbesttoleavemetomyself，hopingthattimewouldbringwithitconsolation；andIremainedsolitaryinmyhouse，waiteduponbyamaleandafemaleservant。Oh，whatdrearymomentsIpassed！Myonlyamusement—anditwasasadone—wastolookatthethingswhichoncebelongedtomybeloved，andwhichwerenewinmypossession。Oh，howfondlywouldIdwelluponthem！Thereweresomebooks；Icarednotforbooks，butthesehadbelongedtomybeloved。Oh，howfondlydidIdwellonthem！Thentherewasherhatandbonnet—oh，me，howfondlydidIgazeuponthem！andafterlookingatherthingsforhours，IwouldsitandruminateonthehappinessIhadlost。HowIexecratedthemomentIhadgonetothefairtosellhorses！’WouldthatIhadneverbeentoHorncastletosellhorses！’Iwouldsay；’Imightatthismomenthavebeenenjoyingthecompanyofmybeloved，leadingahappy，quiet，easylife，butforthatfatalexpedition；’thatthoughtworkedonmybrain，tillmybrainseemedtoturnround。
　　"OnedayIsatatthebreakfast—tablegazingvacantlyaroundme，mymindwasinastateofinexpressiblemisery；therewasawhirlinmybrain，probablylikethatwhichpeoplefeelwhoarerapidlygoingmad；thisincreasedtosuchadegreethatI
　　feltgiddinesscominguponme。ToabatethisfeelingInolongerpermittedmyeyestowanderabout，butfixedthemuponanobjectonthetable，andcontinuedgazingatitforseveralminuteswithoutknowingwhatitwas；atlength，themiseryinmyheadwassomewhatstilled，mylipsmoved，andI
　　heardmyselfsaying，’Whatoddmarks！’Ihadfastenedmyeyesonthesideofateapot，andbykeepingthemfixeduponit，hadbecomeawareofafactthathadescapedmynoticebefore—namely，thatthereweremarksuponit。Ikeptmyeyesfixeduponthem，andrepeatedatintervals，’Whatstrangemarks！’—forIthoughtthatlookinguponthemarkstendedtoabatethewhirlinmyhead：Ikepttracingthemarksoneaftertheother，andIobservedthatthoughtheyallboreageneralresemblancetoeachother，theywerealltoacertainextentdifferent。Thesmallestportionpossibleofcuriousinteresthadbeenawakenedwithinme，and，atlast，Iaskedmyself，withinmyownmind，’Whatmotivecouldinducepeopletoputsuchoddmarksontheircrockery？theywerenotpictures，theywerenotletters；whatmotivecouldpeoplehaveforputtingthemthere？’AtlastIremovedmyeyesfromtheteapot，andthoughtforafewmomentsaboutthemarks；presently，however，Ifeltthewhirlreturning；themarksbecamealmosteffacedfrommymind，andIwasbeginningtoreverttomymiserableruminations，whensuddenlymethoughtIheardavoicesay，’Themarks！themarks！clingtothemarks？or—’SoIfixedmyeyesagainuponthemarks，inspectingthemmoreattentively，ifpossible，thanIhaddonebefore，and，atlast，Icametotheconclusionthattheywerenotcapriciousorfancifulmarks，butwerearrangedsystematically；whenIhadgazedatthemforaconsiderabletime，Iturnedtheteapotround，andontheothersideI
　　observedmarksofasimilarkind，whichIsoondiscoveredwereidenticalwiththeonesIhadbeenobserving。Allthemarksweresomethingalike，butallsomewhatdifferent，andoncomparingthemwitheachother，Iwasstruckwiththefrequentoccurrenceofamarkcrossinganuprightline，orprojectingfromit，nowontheright，nowontheleftside；
　　andIsaidtomyself，’Whydoesthismarksometimescrosstheuprightline，andsometimesproject？’andthemoreIthoughtonthematter，thelessdidIfeelofthemiseryinmyhead。
　　"Thethingswereatlengthremoved，andIsat，asIhadforsometimepastbeenwonttositaftermymeals，silentandmotionless；butinthepresentinstancemymindwasnotentirelyabandonedtotheonemournfulideawhichhadsolongdistressedit。Itwas，toacertainextent，occupiedwiththemarksontheteapot；itistruethatthemournfulideastrovehardwiththemarksontheteapotforthemasteryinmymind，andatlastthepainfulideadrovethemarksoftheteapotout；they，however，wouldoccasionallyreturnandflitacrossmymindforamomentortwo，andtheircomingwaslikeamomentaryrelieffromintensepain。IthoughtonceortwicethatIwouldhavetheteapotplacedbeforeme，thatI
　　mightexaminethemarksatleisure，butIconsideredthatitwouldbeaswelltodeferthere—examinationofthemarkstillthenextmorning；atthattimeIdidnottaketeaofanevening。Bydeferringtheexaminationthus，Ihadsomethingtolookforwardtoonthenextmorning。Thedaywasamelancholyone，butitcertainlywasmoretolerabletomethananyoftheothershadbeensincethedeathofmybeloved。AsIlayawakethatnightIoccasionallythoughtofthemarks，andinmysleepmethoughtIsawthemupontheteapotvividlybeforeme。Onthemorrow，Iexaminedthemarksagain；howsingulartheylooked！Surelytheymustmeansomething，andifso，whatcouldtheymean？andatlastI
　　thoughtwithinmyselfwhetheritwouldbepossibleformetomakeoutwhattheymeant：thatdayIfeltmorereliefthanontheprecedingone，andtowardsnightIwalkedalittleabout。
　　"Inaboutaweek’stimeIreceivedavisitfrommyfriendthesurgeon；afteralittlediscourse，hetoldmethatheperceivedIwasbetterthanwhenhehadlastseenme，andaskedmewhatIhadbeenabout；ItoldhimthatIhadbeenprincipallyoccupiedinconsideringcertainmarkswhichIhadfoundonateapot，andwonderingwhattheycouldmean；hesmiledatfirst，butinstantlyassumingaseriouslook，heaskedtoseetheteapot。Iproducedit，andafterhavingsurveyedthemarkswithattention，heobservedthattheywerehighlycurious，andalsowonderedwhattheymeant。’I
　　stronglyadviseyou，’saidhe，’toattempttomakethemout，andalsototakemoderateexercise，andtoseeafteryourconcerns。’Ifollowedhisadvice；everymorningIstudiedthemarksontheteapot，andinthecourseofthedaytookmoderateexercise，andattendedtolittledomesticmatters，asbecamethemasterofahouse。
　　"Isubsequentlylearnedthatthesurgeon，inadvisingmetostudythemarks，andendeavourtomakeouttheirmeaning，merelyhopedthatbymeansofthemmymindmightbydegreesbedivertedfromthemournfulideaonwhichIhadsolongbrooded。Hewasamanwellskilledinhisprofession，buthadreadandthoughtverylittleonmattersunconnectedwithit。Hehadnoideathatthemarkshadanyparticularsignification，orwereanythingelsebutcommonandfortuitousones。ThatIbecameatallacquaintedwiththeirnaturewasowingtoaludicrouscircumstancewhichIwillnowrelate。
　　"Oneday，chancingtobeataneighbouringtown，Iwasstruckwiththeappearanceofashoprecentlyestablished。Ithadanimmensebow—window，andeverypartofit，towhichabrushcouldbeapplied，waspaintedinagaudyflamingstyle。
　　Largebowlsofgreenandblackteawereplaceduponcertainchests，whichstoodatthewindow。Istoppedtolookatthem，suchadisplay，whateveritmaybeatthepresenttime，being，attheperiodofwhichIamspeaking，quiteuncommoninacountrytown。Thetea，whetherblackorgreen，wasveryshiningandinviting，andthebowls，ofwhichtherewerethree，standingonasmanychests，wereverygrandandforeignlooking。Twoofthesewerewhite，withfiguresandtreespaintedupontheminblue；theother，whichwasthemiddlemost，hadneithertreesnorfiguresuponit，but，asI
　　lookedthroughthewindow，appearedtohaveonitssidestheverysamekindofmarkswhichIhadobservedontheteapotathome；therewerealsomarksonthetea—chests，somewhatsimilar，butmuchlarger，and，apparently，notexecutedwithsomuchcare。’BestteasdirectfromChina，’saidavoiceclosetomyside；andlookingroundIsawayoungishman，withafrizzledhead，flatface，andanimmenselywidemouth，standinginhisshirt—sleevesbythedoor。’DirectfromChina，’saidhe；’perhapsyouwilldomethefavourtowalkinandscentthem？’’Idonotwantanytea，’saidI；’Iwasonlystandingatthewindowexaminingthosemarksonthebowlandthechests。Ihaveobservedsimilaronesonateapotathome。’’Praywalkin，sir，’saidtheyoungfellow，extendinghismouthtillitreachednearlyfromeartoear；’praywalkin，andIshallbehappytogiveyouanyinformationrespectingthemannersandcustomsoftheChineseinmypower。’ThereuponIfollowedhimintohisshop，wherehebegantoharangueonthemanners，customs，andpeculiaritiesoftheChinese，especiallytheirmannerofpreparingtea，notforgettingtotellmethattheonlygenuineChineseteaeverimportedintoEnglandwastobefoundinhisshop。’Withrespecttothosemarks，’saidhe，’onthebowlandchests，theyarenothingmorenorlessthanChinesewritingexpressingsomething，thoughwhatIcan’texactlytellyou。
　　Allowmetosellyouthispoundoftea，’headded，showingmeapaperparcel。’OntheenvelopethereisaprintedaccountoftheChinesesystemofwriting，extractedfromauthorsofthemostestablishedreputation。ThesethingsIprint，principallywiththehopeof，insomedegree，removingtheworsethanGothicignoranceprevalentamongstnativesoftheseparts。IamfromLondonmyself。WithrespecttoallthatrelatestotheChineserealimperialtea，Iassureyousir，that—’Well，tomakeshortofwhatyoudoubtlessconsideraverytiresomestory，Ipurchasedtheteaandcarriedithome。Theteaprovedimperiallybad，butthepaperenvelopereallycontainedsomeinformationontheChineselanguageandwriting，amountingtoaboutasmuchasyougainedfrommetheotherday。Onlearningthatthemarksontheteapotexpressedwords，Ifeltmyinterestwithrespecttothemconsiderablyincreased，andreturnedtothetaskofinspectingthemwithgreaterzealthanbefore，hoping，bycontinuallylookingatthem，tobeableeventuallytounderstandtheirmeaning，inwhichhopeyoumayeasilybelieveIwasdisappointed，thoughmydesiretounderstandwhattheyrepresentedcontinuedontheincrease。InthisdilemmaIdeterminedtoapplyagaintotheshopkeeperfromwhomIboughtthetea。Ifoundhiminratherlowspirits，hisshirt—sleevesweresoiled，andhishairwasoutofcurl。
　　Onmyinquiringhowhegoton，heinformedmethatheintendedspeedilytoleave，havingreceivedlittleornoencouragement，thepeople，intheirGothicignorance，preferringtodealwithanold—fashionedshopkeeperovertheway，who，sofarfrompossessinganyacquaintancewiththepolityandinstitutionsoftheChinese，didnot，hebelieved，knowthatteacamefromChina。’Youarecomeforsomemore，Isuppose？’saidhe。Onreceivingananswerinthenegativehelookedsomewhatblank，butwhenIaddedthatIcametoconsultwithhimastothemeanswhichImusttakeinordertoacquiretheChineselanguagehebrightenedup。’Youmustgetagrammar，’saidhe，rubbinghishands。’Haveyounotone？’saidI。’No，’hereplied，’butanybooksellercanprocureyouone。’AsIwastakingmydeparture，hetoldmethatashewasabouttoleavetheneighbourhood，thebowlatthewindow，whichboretheinscription，besidessomeotherpiecesofporcelainofasimilardescription，wereatmyservice，providedIchosetopurchasethem。Iconsented，andtwoorthreedaysafterwardstookfromoffhishandsallthechinainhispossessionwhichboretheinscriptions，payingwhathedemanded。HadIwaitedtillthesaleofhiseffects，whichoccurredwithinafewweeks，IcouldprobablyhaveprocureditforafifthpartofthesumwhichIpaid，theotherpiecesrealizingverylittle。Ididnot，however，grudgethepoorfellowwhathegotfromme，asIconsideredmyselftobesomewhatinhisdebtfortheinformationhehadaffordedme。
　　"Asfortherestofmystory，itmaybebrieflytold。I
　　followedtheadviceoftheshopkeeper，andappliedtoabooksellerwhowrotetohiscorrespondentinLondon。Afteralonginterval，IwasinformedthatifIwishedtolearnChinese，ImustdosothroughthemediumofFrench，therebeingneitherChinesegrammarnordictionaryinourlanguage。
　　Iwasatfirstverymuchdisheartened。Idetermined，however，atlasttogratifymydesireoflearningChinese，evenattheexpenseoflearningFrench。Iprocuredthebooks，andinordertoqualifymyselftoturnthemtoaccount，tooklessonsinFrenchfromalittleSwiss，theusherofaneighbouringboarding—school。IwasverystupidinacquiringFrench；perseverance，however，enabledmetoacquireaknowledgesufficientfortheobjectIhadinview。
　　InabouttwoyearsIbegantostudyChinesebymyself，throughthemediumoftheFrench。"
　　"Well，"saidI，"andhowdidyougetonwiththestudyoftheChinese？"
　　AndthentheoldmanproceededtoinformmehowhegotonwiththestudyofChinese，enumeratedallthedifficultieshehadhadtoencounter；dilatinguponhisfrequentdespondencyofmind，andoccasionallyhisutterdespairofevermasteringChinese。Hetoldmethatmorethanoncehehaddeterminedupongivingupthestudy，butwhenthemiseryinhisheadforthwithreturned，toescapefromwhichhehadasoftenresumedit。Itappeared，however，thattenyearselapsedbeforehewasabletousetenofthetwohundredandfourteenkeys，whichservetoundothelocksofChinesewriting。
　　"Andareyouableatpresenttousetheentirenumber？"I
　　demanded。
　　"Yes，"saidtheoldman；"Icanatpresentusethewholenumber。Iknowthekeyforeveryparticularlock，thoughI
　　frequentlyfindthewardsunwillingtogiveway。"
　　"Hasnothingparticularoccurredtoyou，"saidI，"duringthetimethatyouhavebeenprosecutingyourstudies？"
　　"DuringthewholetimeinwhichIhavebeenengagedinthesestudies，"saidtheoldman，"onlyonecircumstancehasoccurredwhichrequiresanyparticularmention—thedeathofmyoldfriendthesurgeon—whowascarriedoffsuddenlybyafitofapoplexy。Hisdeathwasagreatshocktome，andforatimeinterruptedmystudies。Hisson，however，whosucceededhim，wasverykindtome，and，insomedegree，suppliedhisfather’splace；andIgraduallyreturnedtomyChineselocksandkeys。"
　　"AndinapplyingkeystotheChineselocksyouemployyourtime？"
　　"Yes，"saidtheoldman，"inmakingouttheinscriptionsonthevariouspiecesofporcelain，whichIhaveatdifferenttimesprocured，Ipassmytime。ThefirstinscriptionwhichItranslatedwasthatontheteapotofmybeloved。"
　　"Andhowmanyotherpiecesofporcelainmayyouhaveatpresentinyourpossession？"
　　"Aboutfifteenhundred。"
　　"Andhowdidyouobtainthem？"Idemanded。
　　"Withoutmuchlabour，"saidtheoldman，"intheneighbouringtownsandvillages—chieflyatauctions—ofwhich，abouttwentyyearsago，thereweremanyintheseparts。"
　　"AndmayIaskyourreasonsforconfiningyourstudiesentirelytothecrockeryliteratureofChina，whenyouhavealltherestatyourdisposal？"
　　"Theinscriptionsenablemetopassmytime，"saidtheoldman；"whatmorewouldthewholeliteratureofChinado？"
　　"Andfromtheseinscriptions，"saidI，"whatabookitisinyourpowertomake，wheneversodisposed。’TranslationsfromthecrockeryliteratureofChina。’Suchabookwouldbesuretotake；evengloriousJohnhimselfwouldnotdisdaintopublishit。"Theoldmansmiled。"Ihavenodesireforliterarydistinction，"saidhe；"noambition。Myoriginalwishwastopassmylifeineasy，quietobscurity，withherwhomIloved。Iwasdisappointedinmywish；shewasremoved，whoconstitutedmyonlyfelicityinthislife；
　　desolationcametomyheart，andmiserytomyhead。ToescapefromthelatterIhadrecoursetoChinese。Bydegreesthemiseryleftmyhead，butthedesolationoftheheartyetremains。"
　　"Beofgoodcheer，"saidI；"throughtheinstrumentalityofthisafflictionyouhavelearntChinese，and，insodoing，learnttopractisethedutiesofhospitality。WhobutamanwhocouldreadRunesonateapot，wouldhavereceivedanunfortunatewayfarerasyouhavereceivedme？"
　　"Well，"saidtheoldman，"letushopethatallisforthebest。Iambynatureindolent，and，butforthisaffliction，should，perhaps，havehardlytakenthetroubletodomydutytomyfellow—creatures。Iamvery，veryindolent，"saidhe，slightlyglancingtowardstheclock；"thereforeletushopethatallisforthebest；but，oh！thesetrials，theyareveryhardtobear。"
　　CHAPTERXXXV
　　TheLeave—taking—SpiritoftheHearth—What’so’Clock？
　　THEnextmorning，havingbreakfastedwithmyoldfriend，I
　　wentintothestabletomakethenecessarypreparationsformydeparture；there，withtheassistanceofastablelad，I
　　cleanedandcaparisonedmyhorse，andthen，returningintothehouse，ImadetheoldfemaleattendantsuchapresentasIdeemedwouldbesomecompensationforthetroubleIhadcaused。Hearingthattheoldgentlemanwasinhisstudy，I
　　repairedtohim。"Iamcometotakeleaveofyou，"saidI，"andtothankyouforallthehospitalitywhichIhavereceivedatyourhands。"TheeyesoftheoldmanwerefixedsteadfastlyontheinscriptionwhichIhadfoundhimstudyingonaformeroccasion。"Atlength，"hemurmuredtohimself，"Ihaveit—IthinkIhaveit；"andthen，lookingatme，hesaid，"Soyouareabouttodepart？"
　　"Yes，"saidI，"myhorsewillbeatthefrontdoorinafewminutes；Iamglad，however，beforeIgo，tofindthatyouhavemasteredtheinscription。"
　　"Yes，"saidtheoldman，"IbelieveIhavemasteredit；itseemstoconsistofsomeversesrelatingtotheworshipoftheSpiritoftheHearth。"
　　"WhatistheSpiritoftheHearth？"saidI。
　　"OneofthemanydemonswhichtheChineseworship，"saidtheoldman；"theydonotworshiponeGod，butmany。"Andthentheoldmantoldmeagreatmanyhighly—interestingparticularsrespectingthedemonworshipoftheChinese。
　　AfterthelapseofatleasthalfanhourIsaid，"Imustnotlingerhereanylonger，howeverwilling。Horncastleisdistant，andIwishtobethereto—night。Praycanyouinformmewhat’so’clock？"
　　Theoldman，rising，lookedtowardstheclockwhichhungonthesideoftheroomathislefthand，onthefarthersideofthetableatwhichhewasseated。
　　"Iamrathershort—sighted，"saidI，"andcannotdistinguishthenumber，atthatdistance。"
　　"Itisteno’clock，"saidtheoldman；"Ibelievesomewhatpast。"
　　"Aquarter，perhaps？"
　　"Yes，"saidtheoldman"aquarteror—"
　　"Sevenminutes，ortenminutespastten。"
　　"Idonotunderstandyou。"
　　"Why，totellyouthetruth，"saidtheoldman，withasmile，"thereisonethingtotheknowledgeofwhichIcouldneverexactlyattain。"
　　"Doyoumeantosay，"saidI，"thatyoudonotknowwhat’so’clock？"
　　"Icangiveaguess，"saidtheoldman，"towithinafewminutes。"
　　"Butyoucannottelltheexactmoment？"
　　"No，"saidtheoldman。
　　"Inthenameofwonder，"saidI，"withthatthingthereonthewallcontinuallytickinginyourear，howcomesitthatyoudonotknowwhat’so’clock？"
　　"Why，"saidtheoldman，"Ihavecontentedmyselfwithgivingatolerablygoodguess；todomorewouldhavebeentoogreattrouble。"
　　"ButyouhavelearntChinese，"saidI。
　　"Yes，"saidtheoldman，"IhavelearntChinese。"
　　"Well，"saidI，"Ireallywouldcounselyoutolearntoknowwhat’so’clockassoonaspossible。Considerwhatasadthingitwouldbetogooutoftheworldnotknowingwhat’so’clock。AmillionthpartofthetroublerequiredtolearnChinesewould，ifemployed，infalliblyteachyoutoknowwhat’so’clock。"
　　"IhadamotiveforlearningChinese，"saidtheoldman，"thehopeofappeasingthemiseryinmyhead。Withrespecttonotknowingwhat’so’clock，Icannotseeanythingparticularlysadinthematter。Amanmaygetthroughtheworldverycreditablywithoutknowingwhat’so’clock。Yet，uponthewhole，itisnobadthingtoknowwhat’so’clock—you，ofcourse，do？Itwouldbetoogoodajokeiftwopeopleweretobetogether，oneknowingArmenianandtheotherChinese，andneitherknowingwhat’so’clock。I’llnowseeyouoff。"
　　CHAPTERXXXVI
　　ArrivalatHorncastle—TheInnandOstlers—TheGarret—
　　FigureofaManwithaCandle。
　　LEAVINGthehouseoftheoldmanwhoknewChinese，butcouldnottellwhatwaso’clock，IwendedmywaytoHorncastle，whichIreachedintheeveningofthesameday，withouthavingmetanyadventureonthewayworthyofbeingmarkeddowninthisveryremarkablehistory。
　　Thetownwasasmallone，seeminglyancient，andwascrowdedwithpeopleandhorses。Iproceeded，withoutdelay，totheinntowhichmyfriendthesurgeonhaddirectedme。"Itisofnousecominghere，"saidtwoorthreeostlers，asI
　　enteredtheyard—"allfull—noroomwhatever；"whilstoneaddedinanundertone，"Thaterea’n’tabad—lookinghorse。"
　　"Iwanttoseethemasterofthisinn，"saidI，asI
　　dismountedfromthehorse。"Seethemaster，"saidanostler—thesamewhohadpaidthenegativekindofcomplimenttothehorse—"alikelything，truly；mymasterisdrinkingwinewithsomeofthegrandgentry，andcan’tbedisturbedforthesakeofthelikeofyou。""Ibringalettertohim，"
　　saidI，pullingoutthesurgeon’sepistle。"Iwishyouwoulddeliverittohim，"Iadded，offeringahalf—crown。"Oh，it’syou，isit？"saidtheostler，takingtheletterandthehalf—crown；"mymasterwillberightgladtoseeyou；why，youha’n’tbeenhereformanyayear；I’llcarrythenotetohimatonce。"Andwiththesewordshehurriedintothehouse。"That’sanicehorse，youngman，"saidanotherostler，"whatwillyoutakeforit？"towhichinterrogationI
　　madenoanswer。"Ifyouwishtosellhim，"saidtheostler，cominguptome，andwinkingknowingly，"IthinkIandmypartnersmightofferyouasummutunderseventypounds；"towhichkindandhalf—insinuatedofferImadenoreply，savebywinkinginthesamekindofknowingmannerinwhichI
　　observedhimwink。"Ratherleary！"saidathirdostler。
　　"Well，youngman，perhapsyouwilldrinktonightwithmeandmypartners，whenwecantalkthematterover。"BeforeIhadtimetoanswer，thelandlord，awell—dressed，good—lookingman，madehisappearancewiththeostler；heboretheletterinhishand。Withoutglancingatme，hebetookhimselfatoncetoconsiderthehorse，goingroundhim，andobservingeverypointwiththeutmostminuteness。Atlast，havinggoneroundthehorsethreetimes，hestoppedbesideme，andkeepinghiseyesonthehorse，benthisheadtowardshisrightshoulder。"Thathorseisworthsomemoney，"saidhe，turningtowardsmesuddenly，andslightlytouchingmeonthearmwiththeletterwhichheheldinhishand；towhichobservationImadenoreply，savebybendingmyheadtowardstherightshoulderasIhadseenhimdo。"Theyoungmanisgoingtotalktomeandmypartnersaboutittonight，"saidtheostlerwhohadexpressedanopinionthatheandhisfriendsmightoffermesomewhatunderseventypoundsfortheanimal。"Pooh！"saidthelandlord，"theyoungman’knowswhatheisabout；inthemeantimeleadthehorsetothereservedstall，andseewellafterhim。Myfriend，"saidhe，takingmeasideaftertheostlerhadledtheanimalaway，"recommendsyoutomeinthestrongestmanner，onwhichaccountaloneItakeyouandyourhorsein。Ineednotadviseyounottobetakenin，asIshouldsay，byyourlook，thatyouaretolerablyawake；buttherearequeerhandsatHorncastleatthistime，andthosefellowsofmine，youunderstandme—；butIhaveagreatdealtodoatpresent，soyoumustexcuseme。"Andthereuponwentintothehouse。
　　ThatsameeveningIwasengagedatleasttwohoursinthestable，inrubbingthehorsedown，andpreparinghimfortheexhibitionwhichIintendedheshouldmakeinthefaironthefollowingday。Theostler，towhomIhadgiventhehalf—