He suited action to these identical words, at all events, and leapt nimbly on great Grumpey’s back.
Grumpey did not feel Collie’s weight, of course, but he heard him barking, and he felt his sharp teeth in his off ear whenever he attempted to misconduct himself.
Collie really made a splendid postillion.
* * * * *
The boys themselves broke the ponies in to harness. A task of no small difficulty, for they had never been used to this. Of all horses in the world for cussedness, as the Yankees call it, a Shetland pony is the worst, if not broken in early.
They are so lovable and beautiful, too, and Jack and Gill had developed coats on them like a Skye-terrier. They could hardly see out of their natural face-protectors, but so bonnie and wicked was the morsel of eye one could see, that, instead of talking cross to them, the lads would often laugh and kiss their noses.
Finally the ponies succumbed to kisses, caresses, and bits of biscuit and sugar.
For love can conquer even a Shetland pony.