"Ha, ha! Ho, ho!" jeered the boys in chorus, and Bobby called out in a teasing tone,—
"Oh, you'd rather go with Mary Duff than with us. You're Mary Duff's beau! Ha, ha! You're Mary Duff's beau!"
The little girl crimsoned with annoyance at Bobby's silly taunt, but George retorted quickly,—
"Well, you can't be Mary Duff's beau until you learn to wash your hands."
The laugh turned on Bobby, and George and Mary set off in quest of comrade number three.
As they approached a square stone building, a man standing before its open door disappeared within, only to return immediately, leading Aladdin, the most captivating of Shetland ponies.
This animal was George's one important possession, but instead of a plaything, it had been purchased for the boy's convenience in getting about. George's poor feet made walks of any great length painful undertakings, but sitting on Aladdin's back, he could go as far and as swiftly as he desired.
The pony was black and satiny for the most part, but upon his forehead a small white patch was to be seen, and his mane and tail were snowy. He was so fond of his master that he would follow him about like a kitten; and he always whinnied joyfully whenever the boy appeared at the stable door.
George tied his box and Mary's basket to the small red saddle, and turned to his companion.
"We'll ride and tie, of course. You mount first, and leave him at Baillie's stile."