“Of course I shall do that. But I should like to compensate you also, for all the trouble I have been,” he said eagerly.
“There is no need; I like trouble,” she answered. And then, as Doss Umpey at this moment led Blossom up to the door, Dick had to go out and mount, with the burden of his indebtedness hanging heavily upon him.
“You’ll be coming home by sundown to-day, granfer?” Nell asked, a little anxiously.
“Mos’ likely,” he answered, busying himself with the off stirrup, and not looking at her.
“You must,” she said sharply. “Pip is very bad this morning, and so stiff he can hardly wag his tail. I don’t mind being left alone when the dog is all right, but it is another matter now he can’t even growl at anything.”
“All right,” the old man replied, with a touch of impatience, and then asked the stranger if he were ready to mount.
“I can’t ride that poor old bag of bones; I shall break its back!” exclaimed Dick.
“Blossom is ever so strong. You need not be afraid,” Nell said, with a reassuring smile.
At this Dick tried to mount, but he was weak and stiff from his painful experience, and was, moreover, harassed by the active attempts of Blossom to bite him.
“Wait a minute. If you will stand on that bench by the door, I will lead Blossom up, and you can get on. The horse will think it is a sack of meal and won’t take any notice,” Nell said, briskly coming to the rescue in her usual prompt fashion.