But what does it amount to? When I have anything that is
very good, some fellow that I like gets it from me.'
'After paying for him?'
'After paying for him! Yes, I don't mean that I make a fellow a
present. But the man who buys has a deal the best of it. Did you
ever get anything better than that spotted chestnut in your life?'
'What, old Sarcinet?'
'You had her for one hundred and sixty pounds. Now, if you were on
your oath, what is she worth?'
'She suits me, Major, and of course I shouldn't sell her.'
'I rather think not. I knew what that mare was well enough. A
dealer would have had three hundred and fifty pounds for her. I
could have got the money easily if I had taken her down into the
shires, and ridden her a day or two myself.'
'I gave you what you asked.'
'Yes, you did. It isn't often that I take less than I ask. But the
fact is, about horses. I don't know whether I shouldn't do better
if I never owned an animal at all but those I want for my own use.
When I am dealing with a man I call a friend, I can't bear to make
money of him.
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