‘Can you ride yet?’ he asked, with a smile.
‘No,’ Leone answered, but his face changed instantly. ‘Not yet.’
‘I will teach you, my boy, and as soon as you can trot and gallop nicely you shall have a good horse of your own.’
Leone flushed with pleasure, a healthy red that was good to see.
‘Oh, how splendid!’ he cried, and his blue eyes lit up with happiness. ‘Really, really?’
‘Yes, really.’
‘When shall I begin?’
‘To-morrow morning.’
‘Hurrah!’ yelled the small boy. ‘At last!’