I wouldn't be as fat as you
-- not for all you're worth. You're a disgrace to the stable.
Look at the horse next you. He's something like a horse -- all
skin and bone. And his master ain't over kind to him either. He
put a stinging lash on his whip last week. But that old horse
knows he's got the wife and children to keep -- as well as his
drunken master -- and he works like a horse. I daresay he
grudges his master the beer he drinks, but I don't believe he
grudges anything else."
"Well, I don't grudge yours what he gets by me," said Ruby.
"Gets!" retorted Diamond. "What he gets isn't worth
grudging. It comes to next to nothing -- what with your fat and shine.
"Well, at least you ought to be thankful you're the better
for it. You get a two hours' rest a day out of it."
"I thank my master for that -- not you, you lazy fellow!
You go along like a buttock of beef upon castors -- you do."
"Ain't you afraid I'll kick, if you go on like that,
Diamond?"
"Kick! You couldn't kick if you tried. You might heave your
rump up half a foot, but for lashing out -- oho! If you did,
you'd be down on your belly before you could get your legs under
you again. It's my belief, once out, they'd stick out for ever.
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