"What's your fare, young innocent?"

"Well, I think the distance is a good deal over three miles--
that's two shillings. Only father says sixpence a mile is too little,
though we can't ask for more."

"You're a deep one. But I think you're wrong. It's over four miles--
not much, but it is."

"Then that's half-a-crown," said Diamond.

"Well, here's three shillings. Will that do?"

"Thank you kindly, sir. I'll tell my father how good you were to me--
first to tell me my riddle, then to put me right about the distance,
and then to give me sixpence over. It'll help father to get well again,
it will."

"I hope it may, my man. I shouldn't wonder if you're as good
as you look, after all."

As Diamond returned, he drew up at a stand he had never been on before:
it was time to give Diamond his bag of chopped beans and oats.
The men got about him, and began to chaff him. He took it all
good-humouredly, until one of them, who was an ill-conditioned fellow,
began to tease old Diamond by poking him roughly in the ribs,
and making general game of him. That he could not bear, and the
tears came in his eyes. He undid the nose-bag, put it in the boot,
and was just going to mount and drive away, when the fellow interfered,