“If he had a hand——” began Mr. Travis.
But here Pablo cried: “Dame le mano, Chico!” and up went one of Chico’s forefeet to be shaken.
At this performance a shout arose which was followed by great applause as Joanne said: “Don’t you want to give me a kiss, Chico?” and the little steed nodded his head, then laid it caressingly against Joanne’s shoulder as she kissed him on the top of his nose.
After this every one wanted to examine the medal which was passed around to be admired.
“It just beats me out,” said Mrs. Clover. “I wondered what in the world those boys wanted of red flannel when they came up and asked me if I had a piece. I thought they wanted it to bait frogs or something like that, and I hunted out an old shirt of Mr. Clover’s to give ’em. It was some cut up but they said it would do.”
“Well, I think it’s some pretty,” commented Mrs. Scraggs.
Here the boys struck up the national anthem, a salute to the flag was given, and then Chico was taken to his stable under the escort of Pablo, a patrol of Boy Scouts with Unc’ Aaron bringing up the rear, and stepping more proudly than any other, head up, shoulders back, coat tails swinging. Thus ended Chico’s party, so far as he was concerned.
CHAPTER XIII
UNEXPECTED GUESTS
IT was when she was passing around gingerbread that Joanne looked up to see her grandfather and her Cousin Ned coming toward her. She set down the plate quickly, almost upsetting the contents in Miss Dodge’s lap, and rushed forward. “Grad!” she cried, “Cousin Ned! When did you come?”
“We’ve been watching you all from a spot here on the hill,” said her cousin. “What’s the idea? Why this performance with Chico?”