The rest of our journey was very easy. We reached the house of our master's friend after the sun went down. We stayed in a clean and comfortable stable. The driver there was very kind. He liked James Howard because James Howard saved us from the fire.
The driver said that horses usually stay in a burning building because they are afraid. He said that James Howard was very brave. We stayed there for three days and then we went home. John Manly was very happy to see us again.
Before James Howard went to sleep, he asked a question. He wanted to know who would take his job. John Manly said that Joe Green would take the job. Joe Green lived at the lodge (a small house near the gate of the park).
James Howard was surprised. He said that Joe Green was only a child. John Manly said that Joe Green was fourteen years old. He was small, but he was quick and kind. John Manly wanted to give the boy a chance to learn.
John Manly told a story about his own life. He was the same age as Joe Green when his parents died. John Manly had a sister named Nelly. Nelly could not walk well. They were very poor and had no help.
Mistress Gordon helped them. She paid for a room for Nelly. Squire Gordon gave John Manly a job in the stable. John Manly worked hard and learned from the old driver. Now, John Manly had a good job and Nelly was happy.
James Howard asked if people should only think about themselves. John Manly said no. He said that thinking only about yourself is a bad thing. He said that kindness is more important than anything else.
The next day, Joe Green came to the stable. He learned how to sweep and clean. He was too small to clean the big horses. So, James Howard taught Joe Green how to clean Merrylegs. Joe Green was a happy boy and he whistled while he worked.
At last, the day came for James Howard to leave. He was very sad. He liked his mother, John Manly, and the horses. He was sad to say goodbye. But he wanted to earn more money to help his mother.
John Manly told James Howard to be brave. John Manly said that James Howard would make new friends. Everyone was sorry to see James Howard go. Even Merrylegs was sad and did not want to eat for a few days.