“Who’s that coming?” demanded Tavia, from whose bright eyes little escaped.
“Why—why——”
“It’s our knight of the lariat!” exclaimed Tavia, excitedly. “It’s Mr. Lance.”
“I believe you are right. That is Gaby he is riding.”
“Of course it is Gaby,” said Tavia. “Now we can introduce him to your aunt. And oh! Mrs. White! he is just the loveliest thing!”
“How recklessly you talk about the young men, Octavia,” said Mrs. White. “I believe he was very kind to you girls, however. I shall be glad to thank him.”
Ned was helping Mrs. Petterby along on his arm, while Nat carried the basket, with Ophelia safely fastened within, when Lance overtook them.
The cowboy raised his hat in salute and would have ridden on, but Mrs. Petterby suddenly manifested much excitement. She screamed aloud and even Dorothy, on top of the hill, heard her:
“Lance Petterby! for the good land’s sake! if it ain’t my baby!”
The cowboy swung in his saddle, pulled the pony up short, and instantly leaped to the ground.