“Why, I see no reason why you cannot,” he said finally. “I know Gabriel loves you, and perhaps will do more for you than he will even for Jimmy.”
Shirley clapped her hands and ran toward the stable, where she informed Jimmy of her father’s decision.
“All right, Miss Shirley,” smiled Jimmy. “I know Gabriel will be glad to have you ride him.”
“I wish I were going to ride him in the Derby,” declared Shirley.
“If you did,” said Jimmy, “the result would never be in doubt. With you on his back, Gabriel would be the first under the wire if he dropped over dead a moment later.”
Leaning forward upon Gabriel’s neck, Shirley patted the horse gently. Gabriel did not respond to this loving touch with a whinny of pleasure, as was his wont.
Instead he shook his head angrily, and stamped his feet. His jaws worked up and down violently and he champed at the bit.
“What on earth ails him?” demanded Shirley in surprise.
“I guess he is just anxious to be on the go,” was the lad’s reply.
“I never saw him act like that before,” said Shirley.