It was rather a silent walk at first. Once out on the turnpike, Blue Bonnet’s spirits began to revive.
“Oh, but I am glad to-day is nearly over!” she said fervently.
“What’ve they been doing to you, anyway?” Alec exclaimed indignantly. He was not in Blue Bonnet’s room at school, but Kitty had given him a graphic account of the day’s happenings.
Blue Bonnet pulled off her tam-o’-shanter, letting the fresh wind blow through her hair. “Nothing,” she answered; “they left all the doing to me.”
As she spoke, a man on horseback passed them at a swift gallop. Instantly the girl turned, looking after him with eager eyes. He was riding as the men at home rode.
“That was Darrel,” Alec said, “and the mare.”
Blue Bonnet’s color deepened. “She is like—Firefly. Alec, if one might have her three wishes—or, even one!”
“What would you choose?” Alec asked. He knew what his choice would be—and he would be content with the one wish, too, if only it brought him the strength he craved.
Blue Bonnet was standing quite still, looking off along the turnpike. “Courage,” she answered; “first, last, and always!”
She came home still in subdued mood, coming to sit with grandmother in the twilight, with a little involuntary sigh of relief that to-night they two were alone together.