` Ah , Miss Merry never ran away from me ! She knew my heels were to be trusted , and she let me caper as I would , glad to see me lively . Never mind , Miss Belinda , come out and I 'll be sober , as befits my years , ' laughed Rosa , composing herself , and adding , so like a woman that I could not help smiling in the dark , -- '' ` When I say `` years '' I beg you to understand that I am not as old as that base man declared , but just in the prime of life for a horse . Hard usage has made me seem old before my time , and I am good for years of service yet . ' '' ` Few people have been through as much as you have , Rosa , and you certainly have earned the right to rest , ' I said consolingly , for her little whims and vanities amused me much . '' ` You know what happened next , ' she continued ; ` but I must seize this opportunity to express my thanks for all the kindness I 've received since Miss Merry bought me , in spite of the ridicule and dissuasion of all her friends . '' ' I know I did n't look like a good bargain , for I was very thin and lame and shabby ; but she saw and loved the willing spirit in me , pitied my hard lot , and felt that it would be a good deed to buy me even if she never got much work out of me . '' ' I shall always remember that , and whatever happens to me hereafter , I never shall be as proud again as I was the day she put my new saddle and bridle on , and I was led out , sleek , plump , and handsome , with blue rosettes at my ears , my tail cut in the English style , and on my back Miss Merry in her London hat and habit , all ready to head a cavalcade of eighteen horsemen and horsewomen . We were the most perfect pair of all , and when the troop caracoled down the wide street six abreast , my head was the highest , my rider the straightest , and our two hearts the friendliest in all the goodly company . '' ` Nor is it pride and love alone that binds me to her , it is gratitude as well , for did not she often bathe my feet herself , rub me down , water me , blanket me , and daily come to see me when I was here alone for weeks in the winter time ? Did n't she study horses ' feet and shoes , that I might be cured if possible ? Did n't she write to the famous friend of my race for advice , and drive me seven miles to get a good smith to shoe me well ? Have not my poor contracted feet grown much better , thanks to the weeks of rest without shoes which she gave me ? Am I not fat and handsome , and , barring the stiff knees , a very presentable horse ? If I am , it is all owing to her ; and for that reason I want to live and die in her service . '' ' She does n't want to sell me , and only bade you do it because you did n't want the care of me while she is gone . Dear Miss Belinda , please keep me ! I 'll eat as little as I can . I wo n't ask for a new blanket , though your old army one is very thin and shabby . I 'll trot for you all winter , and try not to show it if I am lame .
I 'll do anything a XXXXX can , no matter how humble , to earn my living , only do n't , pray do n't send me away among strangers who have neither interest nor pity for me ! '
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