_Und._ (_to himself_). I didn't gather the horse was unwell. (_Aloud._) Dear me! no better? You don't say so! _Check._ 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. _Und._ (_to himself_). Can't afford to offend the coachman! (_Aloud._) Well, I daresay--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. _Und._ (_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. _Und._ (_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! _Und._ (_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. _Und._ (_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. _Check._ 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. _Check._ Well, there's sense in that, and I dessay Mr. UNDERSHELL won't object to obliging you that far. _Und._ (_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. _Und._ (_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_! _Und._ (_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.