“A whole horse of my own! Mine, Alfy Babcock’s! A whole horse—a whole—livin’—horse—A—whole—horse!”
“Well, you wouldn’t want a half one, would you, Miss Babcock? Nor one that wasn’t living?” demanded Monty, laughing. “Quit crying and let’s choose, for that’s what Leslie said we were to do. Is that correct, Mr. Ford?”
“Entirely. But—see to it that your choice falls each on a different animal! Suppose you begin, alphabetically. Alfaretta first.”
Such a group of radiant faces as now peered over the paling! while without a second’s hesitation, Alfaretta announced:
“I choose that pure white one for mine!”
“All right. Captain Lem, lead out Blanca and put on her side saddle,” directed Mr. Ford.
A passage was opened in the paling and the beautiful Blanca was led forth, amid a murmur of admiration from everybody, except the girl herself. She could only stand, clasping and unclasping her hands, and gazing with dim eyes at this wonderful possession. The handsome saddle cloth was marked Blanca, and Mr. Ford explained that each animal was registered and its name had been chosen by its breeder. Most of these names were Spanish and suited well; as that Blanca meant “white,” which the gentle little mare certainly was. To another corner of the saddle cloth, Captain Lem slowly attached the initial “A,” as mark of ownership, then beckoned to Alfy that she should mount.
All her mates watched her curiously, expecting to see her timid and reluctant. She treated them to a fine surprise; first by running to Lady Gray and rapturously kissing her hand, then returning to Lemuel, and letting him swing her up to the saddle, without an instant’s hesitation. Dorothy stared, amazed; but she needn’t have done so: Alfy was “her mother’s daughter” as the saying goes, and inherited that good woman’s love of horseflesh and fearlessness; and as she settled herself and received the bridle reins she kept murmuring the marvellous fact:
“A whole horse—mine! And Ma Babcock’s only got Barnaby!”
“Who is ‘Barnaby,’ Alfy?” asked Leslie, going round to her side and critically inspecting her treasure.