Joanne looked down. “Well,” she began, “if you must know I was riding him.”
Her cousin took her by the shoulders and gave her a little shake. “You little monkey! So it was you who saved my timber. I heard about the fire and that’s why I came up to-day.”
“But you know it was really Chico,” returned Joanne with a little appealing look at her grandfather whose face showed various emotions. “I was perfectly safe on Chico, Grad.”
He took her face between his hands and kissed her forehead. “How you do remind me of your father; it is just the sort of thing he would do.”
Joanne took his arm and cuddled close. “I love to hear you say that,” she whispered. “Then you’re not angry with me, Grad.”
“How could I be? I am very proud of my brave little lass.”
“Then let’s go and get some gingerbread if there is any left. I want to show you off to the girls and boys.”
“Such an inducement,” laughed her grandfather.
“Do you think Gradda will mind very much when you tell her?” asked Joanne.
“Mind what? That you want to show me off?”