But if the arrival of the pony was an exciting incident of the voyage a still greater one occurred the next morning when one of the ship’s officers came to where Joanne was with her grandparents, sitting still for a wonder.
“Dr. Selden?” said the officer.
“I’m the man,” responded Dr. Selden.
“Would you be good enough to come below, sir?”
Up jumped Joanne. “Oh, there’s nothing wrong with the pony, is there?” she cried. “He was all right just after breakfast. I gave him a lump of sugar. I hope it didn’t disagree with him.”
The officer’s grave face relaxed into a smile. “Well, no, I can’t say there is anything wrong with the pony;” he emphasized the last word.
“I’ll come,” said Dr. Selden getting up.
“Oh, please, Grad, I’m coming, too,” declared Joanne.
Her grandfather looked inquiringly at the officer.
“That is as you say, sir,” the man answered the look by saying.