“Three of them on one pony? Maybe the pony wouldn’t like it,” said Mr. Martin, with a laugh.
“Oh, the pony won’t mind,” the director assured him.
So it was arranged, and the next morning the three children went to the pasture, followed by some of the movie people and two camera men. Mr. Dawson had given permission to use the pony.
“Now don’t think of anything except having fun,” the director advised them. “Ted, you help your sister and your brother on the pony’s back, and then scramble up yourself. Janet, you guide the pony as I call to you through my megaphone. But, above all, don’t look directly into the camera. We want this to seem natural.”
“You can’t keep Trouble from looking at the camera,” laughed Ted. “He’s doing it now. I guess he thinks music will come out.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter so much about him,” replied the director. “But you two older ones keep your eyes away from the camera. Look anywhere but there.”
There was a rehearsal first and finally the director said the children did very well.
“All right now, we’ll try it in earnest,” he said. “Come on—camera!”
Ted led his brother and sister through the pasture toward the pony, which was a tame one and fond of children. The Curlytops had made friends with him the first day they arrived.
“All right now,” called the director through his megaphone, while the cameras clicked away. “Put your sister up on the pony’s back, Ted.”