"Will you lend me your hand, Knight?" she said. "I don't believe I can mount alone this time."
There was a protest from all the young people.
"Blue Bonnet! You're surely not going to ride Chula again to-day! You can't! You're all unstrung! She may run again; you really must not."
"Your hand, please, Knight," Blue Bonnet insisted calmly.
Alec stepped forward and took Chula's bridle. At his touch the mare shied, almost jerking the reins from his hands.
Blue Bonnet snatched the bridle and turned on Alec.
"Will you leave my horse alone, please?" she said angrily. "You see, she hates your touch!"
It was Kitty who strove to heal the breach.
"Don't be ridiculous, Blue Bonnet! Chula got just what was coming to her. She might have killed you; throwing you like that—"
"She didn't throw me, Kitty Clark! You don't know what you're talking about! Knight, are you going to help me, or not? If you aren't, I can mount from that log over there."