I know I did n't look like a good bargain , for I was very thin and lame and shabby ; but she saw and loved the willing spirit in me , pitied my hard lot , and felt that it would be a good deed to buy me even if she never got much work out of me . '' ' I shall always remember that , and whatever happens to me hereafter , I never shall be as proud again as I was the day she put my new saddle and bridle on , and I was led out , sleek , plump , and handsome , with blue rosettes at my ears , my tail cut in the English style , and on my back Miss Merry in her London hat and habit , all ready to head a cavalcade of eighteen horsemen and horsewomen . We were the most perfect pair of all , and when the troop caracoled down the wide street six abreast , my head was the highest , my rider the straightest , and our two hearts the friendliest in all the goodly company . '' ` Nor is it pride and love alone that binds me to her , it is gratitude as well , for did not she often bathe my feet herself , rub me down , water me , blanket me , and daily come to see me when I was here alone for weeks in the winter time ? Did n't she study horses ' feet and shoes , that I might be cured if possible ? Did n't she write to the famous friend of my race for advice , and drive me seven miles to get a good smith to shoe me well ? Have not my poor contracted feet grown much better , thanks to the weeks of rest without shoes which she gave me ? Am I not fat and handsome , and , barring the stiff knees , a very presentable horse ? If I am , it is all owing to her ; and for that reason I want to live and die in her service . '' ' She does n't want to sell me , and only bade you do it because you did n't want the care of me while she is gone . Dear Miss Belinda , please keep me ! I 'll eat as little as I can . I wo n't ask for a new blanket , though your old army one is very thin and shabby . I 'll trot for you all winter , and try not to show it if I am lame . I 'll do anything a horse can , no matter how humble , to earn my living , only do n't , pray do n't send me away among strangers who have neither interest nor pity for me ! ' `` Rosa had spoken rapidly , feeling that her plea must be made now or never , for before another Christmas she might be far away and speech of no use to win her wish . I was much touched , though she was only a horse ; for she was looking earnestly at me as she spoke , and made the last words very eloquent by preparing to bend her stiff knees and lie down at my feet . I stopped her , and answered , with an arm about her neck and her soft nose in my hand , -- '' ` You shall not be sold , Rosa ! you shall go and board at Mr. Town 's great stable , where you will have pleasant society among the eighty horses who usually pass the winter there . Your shoes shall be taken off , and you shall rest till March at least .
The best care will be taken of you , dear , and I will come and see you ; and in the spring you shall return to us , even if Miss XXXXX is not here to welcome you . ' ''
Belinda English London Merry Rosa Town cavalcade daily horsewomen weeks