But Jack fetched
it again, and Diamond began once more, and did not leave off
until he had done the whole business fairly well, if not in a
first-rate, experienced fashion. All the time the old horse went
on eating his hay, and, but with an occasional whisk of his tail
when Diamond tickled or scratched him, took no notice of the
proceeding. But that was all a pretence, for he knew very well
who it was that was perched on his back, and rubbing away at him
with the comb and the brush. So he was quite pleased and proud,
and perhaps said to himself something like this --
"I'm a stupid old horse, who can't brush his own coat; but
there's my young godson on my back, cleaning me like an angel."
I won't vouch for what the old horse was thinking, for it
is very difficult to find out what any old horse is thinking.
"Oh dear!" said Diamond when he had done, "I'm so tired!"
And he laid himself down at full length on old Diamond's
back.
By this time all the men in the stable were gathered about
the two Diamonds, and all much amused. One of them lifted him
down, and from that time he was a greater favourite than before.
And if ever there was a boy who had a chance of being a prodigy
at cab-driving, Diamond was that boy, for the strife came to be
who should have him out with him on the box.
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