Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 1.djvu/495

 the place where I observed the rotten stone; and, by doing so five or six times, the workmen were at last convinced it was their interest to be honest:" — "or else, sir," said Mrs. Pilkington, "your wall would have been as tedious a piece of work as Penelope's web, if all that was done in the day was to be undone at night." "Well," answered the dean, "I find you have poetry for every occasion; but as you cannot keep pace with me in walking, I would have you sit down on that little bank till you are rested, or I tired, to put us more upon a par."

She seated herself, and away the dean walked, or rather trotted as hard as ever he could drive. She could not help smiling at his odd gait; for she thought to herself, he had written so much in praise of horses, that he was resolved to imitate them as nearly as he could. As she was indulging this fancy, the dean returned to her, and gave her a strong confirmation of his partiality to those animals. "I have been considering, madam, as I walked," said he, "what a fool Mr. Pilkington was to marry you; for he could have afforded to keep a horse for less money than you cost him; and that you must confess would have given him better exercise and more pleasure than a wife — Why, you laugh, and don't answer me — is it not truth?" — "I must answer you, sir," replied she, "with another question: pray how can a bachelor judge of this matter?" "I find," said he, "you are vain enough to give yourself the preference." "I do sir," replied she, "to that species here; to a Houyhnhnm I would, as becomes me, give preference. But, sir, it is going to rain." — "I hope not," said he, "for that will cost me sixpence for a coach for you," (the garden being at some distance from the house.)