He tried to start
a diversion.
"Most marvellous of all Hedulio's exploits," he said, "I account his
encounter with the piebald horse."
"Tell us about it," said Tanno. "Horse-training is, at least, and always,
an activity fit for a gentleman and wholly decent and respectable."
"It happened last year," said Agathemer, "in the autumn, before Andivius
died; in fact, before we had any reason to dread that the end of his life
was near. Entedius saw it, perhaps he would be a more suitable narrator
than I."
"Go on," said Hirnio, "I'd rather listen to you than talk myself."
Agathemer resumed.
"We were at Reate Fair. You know how such festivals are always attended by
horse-dealers and all sorts of such cheats and mountebanks. There was a
plausible and ingratiating horse-dealer with some good horses. Entedius
bought one and has it yet."
"And no complaints to make," said Hirnio, "the brute was as represented
and has given satisfaction in every way."
"Some others in our party bought horses of him also." Agathemer continued.
"Later, when the sports were on, he brought out a tall, long-barrelled
piebald horse, rather a well-shaped beast, and one which would have been
handsome had he been cream or bay.
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