05 A Fair Start

The name of the coachman was Harold Manly; he had a wife and one little teeny child,and they lived in the coachman's cottage, somewhat near the stables.

The next morning he took me into the yard and gave me a good grooming,and just as I was going into my box, with my coat soft and bright,the squire came in to look at me, and seemed pleased."Harold," he said, "I meant to have tried the quite new horse this morning,but I have other business. You may as well take him around after breakfast;go by the common and the Highwood, and back by the watermill and the river;that will show his paces."