His mother, however, was a little shy of the company for
him, and besides she could not always spare him. Also his father
liked to have him himself when he could; so that he was more
desired than enjoyed among the cabmen.
But one way and another he did learn to drive all sorts of
horses, and to drive them well, and that through the most
crowded streets in London City. Of course there was the man
always on the box-seat beside him, but before long there was
seldom the least occasion to take the reins from out of his
hands. For one thing he never got frightened, and consequently
was never in too great a hurry. Yet when the moment came for
doing something sharp, he was always ready for it. I must once
more remind my readers that he had been to the back of the north
wind.
One day, which was neither washing-day, nor cleaning-day
nor marketing-day, nor Saturday, nor Monday -- upon which
consequently Diamond could be spared from the baby -- his father
took him on his own cab. After a stray job or two by the way,
they drew up in the row upon the stand between Cockspur Street
and Pall Mall. They waited a long time, but nobody seemed to
want to be carried anywhere. By and by
ladies would be going home from the Academy exhibition, and then
there would be a chance of a job.
Pages:
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166