Jenny tossed her head playfully, as if in agreement, and the ostler scratched his head, looking from her to my lord:

“A’most seems as if she understands what you be a-saying to her, sir!”

“Of course she understands! Don’t I tell you ’tis a clever little lady? If I call her now she’ll come up these steps to me, and not all the ostlers in Christendom could stop her.”

“Don’t’ee go for to do it, sir!” urged the old man, backing. “She must be uncommon fond o’ ye?”

“She’d be a deal fonder of you if you’d fetch her a drink,” hinted Jack broadly.

“Ay, sir! I be a-going this werry instant!” And with many an anxious glance over his shoulder at the perfectly quiet mare, he disappeared through an open doorway into the yard.