was up to all kinds of signs and wonders,
sounds and noises, the interpretation of the language of birds and
animals, crowing and lowing, neighing and braying. If she had been here,
she would have said at once that that horse was fated to carry you away.
On that point, however, I can say nothing, for under fifty pounds no one
can have him. Are you taking that money out of your pocket to pay me for
the ale? That won't do; nothing to pay; I invited you this time. Now if
you are going, you had best get into the road through the yard-gate. I
won't trouble you to make your way through the kitchen and my
fine-weather company--confound them!"

CHAPTER XVIII

Mr. Petulengro's Device--The Leathern Purse--Consent to Purchase a Horse.

As I returned along the road I met Mr. Petulengro and one of his
companions, who told me that they were bound for the public-house;
whereupon I informed Jasper how I had seen in the stable the horse which
we had admired at the fair. "I shouldn't wonder if you buy that horse
after all, brother," said Mr. Petulengro. With a smile at the absurdity
of such a supposition, I left him and his companion, and betook myself to
the dingle. In the evening I received a visit from Mr. Petulengro, who
forthwith commenced talking about the horse, which he had again seen, the
landlord having shown it to him on learning that he was a friend of mine.
He told me that the horse pleased him more than ever, he having examined
his points with more accuracy than he had an opportunity of doing on the
first occasion, concluding by pressing me to buy him. I begged him to
desist from such foolish importunity, assuring him that I had never so
much money in all my life as would enable me to purchase the horse.
Whilst this discourse was going on, Mr. Petulengro and myself were
standing together in the midst of the dingle. Suddenly he began to move
round me--in a very singular manner, making strange motions with his
hands, and frightful contortions with his features, till I became
alarmed, and asked him whether he had not lost his senses? Whereupon,
ceasing his movements and contortions, he assured me that he had not, but
had merely been seized with a slight dizziness, and then once more
returned to the subject of the horse. Feeling myself very angry, I told
him that if he continued persecuting me in that manner, I should be
obliged to quarrel with him; adding, that I believed his only motive for
asking me to