"Yuma is a little wild, but she is a fine saddle-pony. I'm really jealous for Boyar's prestige."
"I was afraid for you to ride her," said Collie.
"She behaves beautifully."
"Would you take her as a kind of present from me?" he asked.
"Give Yuma to me? I thought you loved her?"
"I do. That's why I want you to have her."
"He would give you away," said Louise, stroking Yuma's neck. "Give you away just as you're learning to trust him and perhaps even like him a little—and he says he loves you! Let's run away from him, Hummingbird!"
"I think I could stand it if you would just be mean once," said Collie.
"Stand what, Collie?"
He had been watching her shapely hand and supple, rounded wrist as she stroked the pony's neck. Swiftly she turned from the horse and faced him. "What, Collie?" There was laughter in her eyes, a laughter that challenged more than his serious mood. Her lips were smiling. Her chin was tilted provokingly.