_Adams._ Mr. Checkley, our 'ed coachman, Mr. Undershell. He's coming in along with us to 'ear what you say, if you've no objections. _Undershell_ (_to himself_). I must make a friend of this coachman, or else---- (_Aloud._) I shall be charmed, Mr. Checkley. I've only a very few minutes to spare; but I'm most curious to see this horse of yours. _Checkley._ He ain't one o' _my_ 'orses, sir. If he _'ad_ been---- But there, I'd better say nothing about it. _Adams_ (_as he leads the way into the stables, and turns up the gas_). There, sir, that's Deerfoot over there in the loose box. _Undershell_ (_to himself_). He seems to me much like any _other_ horse! However, I can't be wrong in admiring. (_Aloud, as he inspects him, through the rails._) Ah, indeed? he _is_ worth seeing! A magnificent creature! _Adams_ (_stripping off_ Deerfoot's _clothing_). He's a good 'orse, sir. Her ladyship won't trust herself on no other animal, not since she 'ad the influenzy so bad. She'd take on dreadful if I 'ad to tell her he wouldn't be fit for no more work, she would! _Undershell_ (_sympathetically_). I can quite imagine so. Not that he seems in any danger of _that_! _Checkley_ (_triumphantly_). There, you 'ear that, Adams? The minute he set eyes on the 'orse! _Adams._ Wait till Mr. Undershell has seen him move a bit, and see what he says _then_. _Checkley._ If it was what _you_ think, he'd never be standing like he is now, depend upon it. _Adams._ You _can't_ depend upon it. He 'eard us coming, and he's quite artful enough to draw his foot back for fear o' getting a knock. (_To_ UNDERSHELL.) I've noticed him very fidgety-like on his forelegs this last day or two. _Undershell._ _Have_ you, though? (_To himself._) I hope he won't be fidgety with his _hind_-legs. I shall stay outside. _Adams._ I cooled him down with a rubub and aloes ball, and kep 'im on low diet; but he don't seem no better. _Undershell_ (_to himself_). I didn't gather the horse was unwell. (_Aloud._) Dear me! no better? You don't say so! _Checkley._ If you'd rubbed a little embrocation into the shoulder, you'd ha' done more good, in _my_ opinion, and it's my belief as Mr. Undershell here will tell you I'm right. _Undershell_ (_to himself_). Can't afford to offend the coachman! (_Aloud._) Well, I dare say--er--embrocation _would_ have been better. _Adams._ Ah, that's where me and Mr. Checkley differ. According to me, it ain't to do with the shoulder at all--it's a deal lower down.... I'll 'ave him out of the box and you'll soon see what I mean. _Undershell_ (_hastily_). Pray don't trouble on my account. I--I can see him capitally from where I am, thanks. _Adams._ You know best, sir. Only I thought you'd be better able to form a judgment after you'd seen the way he stepped across. But if you was to come in and examine the frog?-- I don't like the look of it myself.