She was talking with the dairyman when Fred showed up, exclaiming:
"Hello! Why didn't you make an alarm when you got up so that I could have heard it."
"Oh, I didn't like to break up little boys' sleep. It is good for them."
The dairyman chuckled at the retort, and so did Fred.
Evelyn milked the pail full, turned it over to the dairyman and went to see the little pigs.
"Evelyn," said Fred, "how would you like to take a ride over the ranch? We'll get back in time for breakfast."
"I would like it very much, provided you give me a safe horse to ride."
Fred went into the stable and saddled the big grays. They were almost a match in size and appearance for the two big grays which Evelyn had sold up North, and she greatly admired them. She stood there in the lot waiting for them to be made ready, and then, without going into the house to get a hat or any other article of dress, she placed her foot in Fred's hand, which he held out for her, and was quickly lifted in the saddle.
"Are you going without your hat, Evelyn?" Fred asked.
"Yes, the early morning sun can do me no harm, for it has hardly got its eyes open yet."