"You are not very glad to see me," he said to Joseph. "You don't
want to part with the old horse."

"Indeed, sir, you are mistaken there. What with anxiety about him,
and bad luck, I've wished I were rid of him a thousand times.
It was only to be for three months, and here it's eight or nine."

"I'm sorry to hear such a statement," said Mr. Raymond. "Hasn't he
been of service to you?"

"Not much, not with his lameness"

"Ah!" said Mr. Raymond, hastily--"you've been laming him--have you?
That accounts for it. I see, I see."

"It wasn't my fault, and he's all right now. I don't know
how it happened, but"

"He did it on purpose," said Diamond. "He put his foot on a stone
just to twist his ankle."

"How do you know that, Diamond?" said his father, turning to him.
"I never said so, for I could not think how it came."

"I heard it--in the stable," answered Diamond.

"Let's have a look at him," said Mr. Raymond.

"If you'll step into the yard," said Joseph, "I'll bring him out."