"Nonsense, Kate," he exclaimed peevishly;--"but, pardon me, it's no fault of yours.  Damaged!  I should think so.  I doubt if he will ever be fit to ride again.  But I can't make it out quite yet, it's very vexing.  I had rather have given a hundred pounds than it should have happened.  And Dick, too; the fellow told the queerest tale about it.  I should have thought he was telling a lie, only he was taking the blame to himself, and that didn't look like lying.--By-the-by, Amos, have _you_ been out riding this afternoon?"