." He was about to begin, when he was interrupted by the arrival
of the surgeon. The surgeon examined into the state of my bruised limb,
and told me, what indeed I already well knew, that it was rapidly
improving. "You will not even require a sling," said he, "to ride to
Horncastle. When do you propose going?" he demanded. "When do you think
I may venture?" I replied. "I think, if you are a tolerably good
horseman, you may mount the day after to-morrow," answered the medical
man. "By-the-bye, are you acquainted with anybody at Horncastle?" "With
no living soul," I answered. "Then you would scarcely find stable-room
for your horse. But I am happy to be able to assist you. I have a
friend there who keeps a small inn, and who, during the time of the fair,
keeps a stall vacant for any quadruped I may bring, until he knows
whether I am coming or not. I will give you a letter to him, and he will
see after the accommodation of your horse. To-morrow I will pay you a
farewell visit, and bring you the letter." "Thank you," said I; "and do
not forget to bring your bill." The surgeon looked at the old man, who
gave him a peculiar nod. "Oh!" said he, in reply to me, "for the little
service I have rendered you, I require no remuneration. You are in my
friend's house, and he and I understand each other." "I never receive
such favours," said I, "as you have rendered me, without remunerating
them; therefore I shall expect your bill." "Oh! just as you please,"
said the surgeon; and shaking me by the hand more warmly than he had
hitherto done, he took his leave.

On the evening of the next day, the last which I spent with my kind
entertainer, I sat at tea with him in a little summer-house in his
garden, partially shaded by the boughs of a large fig-tree. The surgeon
had shortly before paid me his farewell visit, and had brought me the
letter of introduction to his friend at Horncastle, and also his bill,
which I found anything but extravagant. After we had each respectively
drank the contents of two cups--and it may not be amiss here to inform
the reader that though I took cream with my tea, as I always do when I
can procure that addition, the old man, like most people bred up in the
country, drank his without it--he thus addressed me:--"I am, as I told
you on the night of your accident, the son of a breeder of horses, a
respectable and honest man. When I was about twenty he died, leaving me,
his only child, a comfort