"His name is Lightning," Amy volunteered. "The boys call him that because he can outrun almost any other horse on the ranch. Though," she added loyally, "I shouldn't wonder if Lady could beat him if they should give her a head start."
This characteristic speech brought a laugh, and Allen regarded the four other beautiful horses in the group.
"You girls seemed to have picked winners yourselves," he said admiringly. He studied them a moment, then his eyes narrowed quizzically as he turned to Betty.
"I'll bet you a box of candy against a pair of gloves," he said, "that I can tell which horse belongs to which. Do you take me?"
"Of course," said Betty. "Go ahead."
He guessed them nearly right, except that he gave Nigger to Mollie and Old Nick to Betty.
"Almost does not avail," sang Betty gayly. "You owe me a box of candy, Allen Washburn."
He looked at her for a moment laughing, and suddenly her gaze faltered. There had been something new and forceful about Allen ever since he had come back from the war that had made Betty a little afraid of him. But she did not think any the less of him—oh, no indeed!
"I'll give you a dozen of them if you'll take them," he was saying ardently—evidently in reference to the candies.
"And if she won't take 'em, I will," said Grace, with a gusto that made them all laugh.