"Oh, Jed, it makes me so happy! But it won't be as it was. I can never let him carry me again."
The old man turned on the boy a puzzled look.
"What you goin' to do with him, VB—turn him loose again?"
"Not that, Jed; he wouldn't be happy. He'll never carry me again, but perhaps—perhaps he could carry a light rider—a girl—a woman."
And from Jed: "Oh-o-o-o!"
An interval of silence.
"That is," muttered VB, "if she'll take him, and—"
"Would you want him away from you?" the old man insisted.
"Oh, I hope it won't be that, Jed! I hope not—but I want her to— You understand. Jed? You understand?"
The other nodded his head, a look of grave tenderness in the old eyes.