SIMMONS, TUE DESPOT! 85

always drive ourselves; so, unless we happen
to be going to balls, garden-parties, or to
make a round of duty calls, he does not
approve of our ordering out the carriage and
pair; but it is a sight to see him on these
specified occasions, for he looks importance
and dignity from the soles of his boots to the
crown of his hat.

I think he is the only person that Father
stands in any awe of, but he will not of
course allow it for an instant, and always,
therefore, sides’ with Simmons, no matter
against whom.

Simmons will come in, perhaps, and say,
as he stands and twirls his hat in his hands,
“The brown mare seems a bit lame this
morning, sir, so may be it ’ud be best if Miss
Freda didn’t ride out to-day.”

“Yes, certainly,” says Father; and although
he knows that he never enjoyed a better
canter than that of yesterday on this identi-
cal animal, he follows up his first remark by
saying:

“T thought she went a little lame yester-