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 Merry is not here to welcome you . ' '' ` Thanks , many , many thanks ! But I wish I could do something to earn my board . I hate to be idle , though rest is delicious . Is there nothing I can do to repay you , Miss Belinda ? Please answer quickly , for I know the hour is almost over , ' cried Rosa , stamping with anxiety ; for , like all her sex , she wanted the last word . '' ` Yes , you can , ' I cried , as a sudden idea popped into my head . ` I 'll write down what you have told me , and send the little story to a certain paper I know of , and the money I get for it will pay your board . So rest in peace , my dear ; you will have earned your living , and may feel that your debt is paid . ' `` Before she could reply the clock struck one , and a long sigh of satisfaction was all the response in her power . But we understood each other now , and , cutting a lock from her mane for Miss Merry , I gave Rosa a farewell caress and went away , wondering if I had made it all up , or if she had really broken a year 's silence and freed her mind .
`` However that may be , here is the tale , and the sequel to it is , that the bay mare has really gone to board at a first-class stable , '' concluded Miss XXXXX .
Belinda Merry Rosa Town feet idea rest spring story year