The season for ploughing is just beginning; heavy teams are required, and horses are seized upon everywhere, from the post as well as elsewhere.
Monsieur will have to wait three or four hours at the least at every relay. And, then, they drive at a walk.
There are many hills to ascend."
"Come then, I will go on horseback.
Unharness the cabriolet. Some one can surely sell me a saddle in the neighborhood."
"Without doubt.
But will this horse bear the saddle?"
"That is true; you remind me of that; he will not bear it."
"Then--"
"But I can surely hire a horse in the village?"
"A horse to travel to Arras at one stretch?"
"Yes."
"That would require such a horse as does not exist in these parts. You would have to buy it to begin with, because no one knows you. But you will not find one for sale nor to let, for five hundred francs, or for a thousand."
"What am I to do?"
"The best thing is to let me repair the wheel like an honest man, and set out on your journey to-morrow."
"To-morrow will be too late."
"The deuce!"
"Is there not a mail-wagon which runs to Arras?
When will it pass?"
"To-night. Both the posts pass at night; the one going as well as the one coming."