The yoke was rather diffi-
cult; but when he had laid the traces over the horse's neck, the
weight was not too much for him. He got him right at last, and
led him out of the stable.
By this time there were several of the men watching him,
but they would not interfere, they were so anxious to see how he
would get over the various difficulties. They followed him as
far as the stable-door, and there stood watching him again as he
put the horse between the shafts, got them up one after the
other into the loops, fastened the traces, the belly-band, the
breeching, and the reins.
Then he got his whip. The moment he mounted the box, the
men broke into a hearty cheer of delight at his success. But
they would not let him go without a general inspection of the
harness; and although they found it right, for not a buckle had
to be shifted, they never allowed him to do it for himself again
all the time his father was ill.
The cheer brought his mother to the window, and there she
saw her little boy setting out alone with the cab in the gray of
morning. She tugged at the window, but it was stiff; and before
she could open it, Diamond, who was in a great hurry, was out of
the mews, and almost out of the street. She called "Diamond!
Diamond!" but there was no answer except from Jack.
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