Cheokee nosed his little mistress affectionately, while the girls looked on. "I should think she'd be afraid to go so near a horse," said Elena, the timid.
"You wouldn't feel afraid of a little poodle, would you?" asked Miss Miller.
"But a little dog can't hurt you while a big horse might bite or walk all over you!" replied Elena.
"Not when he knows you, as this pet knows Zan. He is just a great big poodle—in a way; he is as tame and is as eager to please and be petted as any lap-dog!"
While they waited for Zan to rejoin them, Bill Sherwood came from the barn with a pail of water for Cheokee.
"Bill, when did Cheokee come here?" cried Zan.
"This mornin'. I got a wire from your pa sayin' he hed sent orders t' Hamilton t' leave th' hoss fur you-all t' use this summer. Hamilton's man came by whiles you'se was up in th' garden. Mebbe Cheokee wasn't glad t' be home!" said Bill, holding the pail for the horse to drink from.
"And maybe we're not happy to have him!" ejaculated Zan.
"That means we can take trips through the country, and at times go on a jaunt and stay all night! Would you girls like to camp out now and then?" said Miss Miller.
"Would we?" retorted Hilda.