"Is this here pony yourn?" enquired the man.
"Rayther," returned Judkins. "It is ourn rayther;" and seizing the man by the collar, instantly added, "So, we've cotched you at last, have we? Very good; now, my little swell, con-sider yourself booked. You're my prisoner."
"What for?" cried the man, who had been absolutely taken by surprise.
"Never mind what for," replied Judkins. "Don't be at all particular in your enquiries. I'm not. You'll only just walk quietly this here way, and then possibly, perhaps, the question may be by-and-by answered. Well, I shouldn't have thought it on you," he added, as he dragged the man, who felt quite confused, into the stable; "send I may live, I shouldn't ha' thought that you'd had the stuff in you to do it."
"To do what?" demanded the man.
"Never mind," replied Judkins. "You're a beauty to look at; des say you're a beauty—no doubt. You and me shall be better acquainted, it strikes me."
"What do you mean?" cried the man.
"Don't disturb yourself, my friend. It's very clear you won't disturb me no more."
"I found the pony"—
"Don't trouble your intellects now at all about it. You'll have work enough for them to do, when you're afore the jury. Now then," he added, as with a halter he securely tied the man's hands behind him, "if you'd like to lie down for an hour, you can. You know this horse, don't you? I wonder he doesn't snap your precious little head off."
"What do you mean?" cried the man. "I'll make you pay for this."
"Very good!" replied Judkins. 'That's nothing but nateral. But let's have a look at you—Well," he added, having surveyed him, "you're a good sort, des say—of the sort. Very good. You're a very clever sort too, no doubt. But couldn't you leave my plants alone? Tcha! that was cowardly. Well, I hope you'll have all the luck I wish you, and that ain't much; but I'll leave you to your private reflections."
"But won't you hear me?"
"Not a bit of it! What's the good? but I'll see you again, by-and-by. If you'd been a man of six foot and a half, and very stout in proportion, I shouldn't ha' minded, but you, you little muck!—however, good bye; God bless you; take care of yourself, but if you don't, I'll take care of you, so you're quite safe. You little warment," he added, closing the door, and when he had most securely locked it, he returned to the cottage.
"Missis wants to speak to you," said Mary, as he entered.
"Very good, Polly, I wants to speak to her. So that meets the views of both parties consarned."
"Well, I must say you're imperant, Judkins," said Mary. "But missis is in the breakfast-room."
"Very good," returned Judkins. "Then into the breakfast-room I goes."
