John does all he can to please her; so I think she might be
good-tempered here. You see," he said, with a wise look, "I am twelve
years old; I know a great deal, and I can tell you there is not a better
place for a horse all round the country than this. John is the best
groom that ever was; he has been here fourteen years; and you never saw
such a kind boy as James is, so that it is all Ginger's own fault that
she did not stay in that box."




CHAPTER V


A FAIR START

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

[Illustration]

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. "John," he said, "I
meant to have tried the 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 water-mill and the river; that
will show his paces."

"I will, sir," said John. After breakfast he came and fitted me with a