_Undershell_ (_to himself_). I'm sure _I_ don't. I've a horror of reptiles. (_Aloud._) You're very good. I--I think I won't come in. The place must be rather _damp_, mustn't it--for that? _Adams._ It's dry enough in 'ere, sir, as you may see; nor yet he ain't been standing about in no wet. Still, there it _is_, you see! _Undershell_ (_to himself_). What a fool he must be not to drive it out! Of course it must annoy the horse. (_Aloud._) I don't see it; but I'm quite willing to take your word for it. _Adams._ I don't know how you can _expect_ to see it, sir, without you look inside of the 'oof for it. _Undershell_ (_to himself_). It's not alive--it's something _inside_ the hoof. I suppose I ought to have known that. (_Aloud._) Just so; but I see no necessity for looking inside the hoof. _Checkley._ In course he don't, or he'd ha' looked the very fust thing, with all his experience. I 'ope you're satisfied _now_, Adams? _Adams._ I can't say as I am. I say as no man can examine a 'orse thoroughly at that distance, be he who he may. And whether I'm right or wrong, it 'ud be more of a satisfaction to me if Mr. Undershell was to step in and see the 'oof for himself. _Checkley._ Well, there's sense in that, and I dessay Mr. Undershell won't object to obliging you that far. _Undershell_ (_with reluctance_). Oh, with pleasure, if you make a point of it. [_He enters the loose box delicately._ _Adams_ (_picking up one of the horse's feet_). Now, tell me how this 'ere 'oof strikes you. _Undershell_ (_to himself_). That hoof _can't_; but I'm not so sure about the others. (_Aloud, as he inspects it._) Well--er--it seems to me a very _nice_ hoof. _Adams_ (_grimly_). I was not arsking your opinion of it as a work of _art_, sir. Do you see any narrering coming on, or do you not? That's what I should like to get out of _you_! _Undershell_ (_to himself_). Does this man suppose I _collect_ hoofs! However, I'm not going to commit myself. (_Aloud._) H'm--well, I--I rather agree with Mr. Checkley. _Checkley._ I knew he would! Now you've _got_ it, Adams! _I_ can see Mr. Undershell knows what he's about. _Adams_ (_persistently_). But look at this 'ere pastern. You can't deny there's puffiness there. How do you get over _that_? _Undershell._ If the horse is puffy, it's _his_ business to get over it--not mine. _Adams_ (_aggrieved_). You may think proper to treat it light, sir; but if you put your 'and down 'ere, above the coronet, you'll feel a throbbing as plain as---- _Undershell._ Very likely. But I don't know, really, that it would afford me any particular gratification if I _did_! _Adams._ Well, if you don't take _my_ view, I should ha' thought as you'd want to feel the 'orse's pulse. _Undershell._ You are quite mistaken. I don't. (_To himself._) Particularly as I shouldn't know where to find it. What a bore this fellow is with his horse!