“And, oh, for Farmer Rodel. Did you know he sent to Lauterbach for a white horse, to induce you to come to the house? Gee, whoa! White horse, go again home!” she cried, almost cheerful again. And so from thought and emotion, they returned again to common every-day life, and learnt again to know and feel the blessedness of their lot!
CHAPTER XVI.
SILVER TROT.
“IS it true? Is it not a dream? Are we together, and awake, and will the morning come again, and then the day, and so on forever?” Thus spoke Barefoot to Lux, who remained by her side while John was in the stable saddling the horse. He came out, put the sack upon the horse, and said, “I will sit upon it, and you shall sit before me on the saddle.”
“Let me rather sit upon my sack.”
“If it please you.”
Having swung himself upon the saddle, he said, “Now put your foot on mine, stand firmly upon it, and give me both your hands.” She swung herself lightly up, he raised, and kissing her, said,—“Now you are in my power, I can do with you what I please.”
“I do not fear you,” said Barefoot, “and you are also in my power.”
Silently they rode out of the village. In the last house a light was burning; there was the sexton’s wife watching by the dead Mariann. John suffered Amrie to weep undisturbed. As they rode across the Holden Meadow, Amrie first spoke.