Black Beauty (31)

One day that summer, the groom cleaned and brushed me with such care that I thought some new change must be at hand.
I think even harness had an extra polish.

Willie seemed half-anxious, half-merry, as he got into the carriage with his grandfather.
" If the ladies take to him, " said the old gentleman, " they'll be suited and he'll be suited. We can but try. "

We drove through the village and up to a pretty house with a lawn and shrubbery at the front.

Willie stayed with me while Mr Thoroughgood went into the house.
Soon he returned, followed by three ladies.

They all came and looked at me and asked questions.
One of them took to me very much.
She said she was sure she should like me, I had such a god face.

Anotherーa tall, pale ladyーsaid that she would always be nervous in riding behind a horse that had once been down.

" It isn't always the horse's fault, " said Mr Thoroughgood.
" Why don't you have him on trial, so that your coachman can see what he think ? "

And so it was arranged.
In the morning the ladies' smart-looking groom came for me.
I was led home, placed in a comfortable stable, fed, and left to myself. 

(31/33)
(Famer Thoroughgood and his grandson 2/4)