Unmindful of the possibility that the horse might step upon her, Shirley ran into the stall and, reaching up, threw both arms around his glossy black neck. Gabriel trembled with happiness, and then thrust his nose into her hand.
“See,” laughed Shirley, “he wants his lump of sugar. Did you think I had forgotten you?” she asked.
Again Gabriel whinnied.
Gabriel took the lump of sugar from the girl’s hand and munched it contentedly. Then he pleaded for more.
“No, sir,” said Shirley, stepping back. “One lump is all you get; you should know better than to ask for more. If Dad knew I had given you even one, he wouldn’t like it.”
She stepped farther back and surveyed the animal with a critical eye.
“And so,” she said, speaking to Gabriel, “you are going to win the Derby for Dad and me this year.”
She patted him affectionately upon the head and stroked his mane. Gabriel rubbed his head up and down against her arm.
“Come, Shirley,” said Mabel at this juncture, “don’t stand there talking to Gabriel all day. We must pay our respects to some of the other horses.”
“All right,” her friend agreed and, giving Gabriel a parting pat, she followed her friend from the stall.