"
For at that moment Diamond was singing like a lark in the
clouds. He had the new baby in his arms, while his mother was
dressing herself. Joseph was sitting at his breakfast -- a
little weak tea, dry bread, and very dubious butter -- which
Nanny had set for him, and which he was enjoying because he was
hungry. He had groomed both horses, and had got old Diamond
harnessed ready to put to.
"Think of a fat angel, Dulcimer!" said Diamond.
The baby had not been christened yet, but Diamond, in
reading his Bible, had come upon the word dulcimer, and thought
it so pretty that ever after he called his sister Dulcimer!
"Think of a red, fat angel, Dulcimer!" he repeated; "for
Ruby's an angel of a horse, Dulcimer. He sprained his ankle and
got fat on purpose."
"What purpose, Diamond?" asked his father.
"Ah! that I can't tell. I suppose to look handsome when his
master comes," answered Diamond. -- "What do you think,
Dulcimer? It must be for some good, for Ruby's an angel."
"I wish I were rid of him, anyhow," said his father; "for
he weighs heavy on my mind."
"No wonder, father: he's so fat," said Diamond. "But you
needn't be afraid, for everybody says he's in better condition
than when you had him.
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