end
had almost abandoned the idea of ever returning him to his owner. He had
thoughts of making the loan permanent, as something on the whole
preferable to a purchase. The drives continued quite into December, over
roads as smooth and hard as any in June, and the air was delicious. The
first snow brought the suggestion of sleighing; but that cold weather
about Christmas dispersed these gay thoughts, and restored my friend to
virtue. Word came from the stable that Frank's legs were swelling from
standing so long without going out, and my friend resolved to part with
an animal for which he had no use. I do not praise him for this; it was
no more than his duty; but I record his action in order to account for
the fact that he is again without a horse, and now, with the opening of
the fine weather, is beginning once more to think of buying one.

But he is in no mood of arrogant confidence. He has satisfied himself
that neither love nor money is alone adequate to the acquisition: the
fates also must favor it. The horse which Frank's owner has had in
training may or may not be just the horse he wants. He does not know; he
humbly waits; and he trembles at the alternative of horses, mystically
summoned from space, and multitudinously advancing upon him,
parrot-mouthed, pony-gaited, tender for'a'd, and traveling wide behind.

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