Your master never taught you a truer thing, said John; there is no religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like about their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to man and beast it is all a sham all a sham, James, and it wont stand when things come to be turned inside out.
14
James Howard
Early one morning in December John had just led me into my box after my daily exercise, and was strapping my cloth on and James was coming in from the corn chamber with some oats, when the master came into the stable. He looked rather serious, and held an open letter in his hand. John fastened the door of my box, touched his cap, and waited for orders.
Good-morning, John, said the master. I want to know if you have any complaint to make of James.
Complaint, sir? No, sir.
Is he industrious at his work and respectful to you? Yes, sir, always.
You never find he slights his work when your back is turned?
Never, sir.
Thats well; but I must put another question. Have you no reason to suspect, when he goes out with the horses to exercise them or to take a message, that he stops about talking to his acquaintances, or goes into houses where he has no business, leaving the horses outside?
No, sir, certainly not; and if anybody has been saying that about James, I dont believe it, and I dont mean to believe it unless I have it fairly proved before witnesses; its not for me to say who has been trying to take away James character, but I will say this, sir, that a steadier, pleasanter, honester, smarter young fellow I never had in this stable. I can trust his word and I can trust his work; he is gentle and clever with the horses, and I would rather have them in charge with him than with half the young fellows I know of in laced hats and liveries; and whoever wants a character of James Howard, said John, with a decided jerk of his head, let them come to John Manly.
26
by way of a hint (разг.) чтобы дать им понять (намекнуть)
27
good places make good horses (разг.) у хорошего хозяина и лошади хорошие
28
sold off in a jiff y, and no character (разг.) вмиг продадут, да еще и без рекомендаций
29
for riding as we were for driving (разг.) и для верховой езды, и для упряжки
30
must take things as they come (разг.) должны легко относиться к происходящему
31
she had a litter of five (разг.) она принесла пять щенков
32
lamp or no lamp (разг.) с фонарем или без него
33
hes too fond of his own will (разг.) всегда норовит поступить по-своему
34
takes all the shine out of it (разг.) портит их красоту
35
You may depend upon it (разг.) Уж можете мне поверить
36
Your example would go a long way. (разг.) Ваш пример окажет большое влияние (будет иметь огромное значение).
37
I had a good bait (разг.) я хорошо поел и отдохнул
38
I was not brought up to that (разг.) меня не так воспитывали
39
it was more than likely (разг.) была большая вероятность
40
fancying all sorts of things (разг.) чего только я не передумала
41
trying to leap a pony over a gate (разг.) пытался заставить пони перепрыгнуть через ворота
42
he took great airs on himself (уст.) он держится высокомерно
43
I gave him a box on the ears (разг.) я врезал ему как следует