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Diamond and Ruby 331
At the words, the old horse arose with a scramble like thunder, shot his angry head and glaring eye over into Ruby's stall, and said—
" Keep out of my way, you unworthy wretch, or I'll bite you. You a horse! Why did you do that?"
" Because I wanted to grow fat."
" You grease-tub! Oh! my teeth and tail! I thought you were a humbug! Why did you want to get fat? There's no truth to be got out of you but by cross-questioning. You ain't fit to be a horse."
" Because once I am fat, my nature is to keep fat for a long time; and I didn't know when master might come home and want to see me."
" You conceited, good-for-nothing brute! You're only fit for the knacker's yard. You wanted to look handsome, did you? Hold your tongue, or I'll break my halter and be at you—with your handsome fat!"
" Never mind, Diamond. You're a good horse. You can't hurt me."
" Can't hurt you! Just let me once try."
" No, you can't."
"Why then?"
"Because I'm an angel."
"What's that?"
" Of course you don't know."
" Indeed I don't."
" I know you don't. An ignorant, rude old human horse, like you, couldn't know it. But there's young Diamond listening to all we're saying; and he knows well enough there are horses in heaven for angels to ride upon, as well as other animals, lions and eagles |
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