“How can I, if you carry it all the time?”
“Sure enough! But wait. Some time, soon, I’ll tell you why I can’t let you have it just yet—even as a loan.”
Dennis was now on the broncho’s back, and Carlos ran alongside to give the inexperienced horseman a few hints that were useful.
“Sure, an’ I s’pose you’ve always been a-horseback, me boy?” asked the grateful and admiring fellow.
“Nearly. I’ve never walked when I could ride, and when I’ve walked I’ve always run! So that’s an Irish speech for you, Dennis.”
“Carlos shall ride Connemara quite half the time,” said Carlota, who had joined them and who felt sorry that her brother was not, also, mounted.
“Ride a burro? After Benoni? Well, no, indeed! Burros are nice for girls, though even you, Carlota—”
He paused as she warningly shook her head but Dennis had no attention for anything except his broncho and was himself getting on very well. His pride in his skill and his accoutrements increased and the twins dropped behind to have a little “talk.”
Carlota had noticed a look on her brother’s face that she did not like and promptly asked:
“What’s the matter, Carlos dear?”