Page:Lorna Doone - a romance of Exmoor (IA lornadooneromanc691blac).pdf/132



" done, lad," Mr. Faggus said goodnaturedly; for all were now gathered round me, as I rose from the ground, somewhat tottering, and miry, and crest-fallen, but otherwise none the worse (having fallen upon my head, which is of uncommon substance); nevertheless John Fry was laughing, so that I longed to clout his ears for him; "not at all bad work, my boy; we may teach you to ride by and by, I see; I thought not to see you stick on so long"

"I should have stuck on much longer, sir, if her sides had not been wet. She was so slippery"

"Boy, thou are right. She hath given many the slip. Ha, ha! Vex not, Jack, that I laugh at thee. She is like a sweetheart to me, and better than any of them be. It would have gone to my heart if thou had'st conquered. None but I can ride my Winnie mare."

"Foul shame to thee then, Tom Faggus," cried mother coming up suddenly, and speaking so that all were amazed, having never seen her wrathful; "to