* * * * *
Later Dad brushed the horses. Maggie watched, but she didn't offer to help. They weren't her horses.
When Dad went to milk the cows, Maggie walked around to the front of the new animals. At least they're more interesting than cows, she told herself.
Molly had dropped a piece of hay over the side, so Maggie handed it to the horse. The huge nose sniffed. The long lips popped, taking in the wisps of hay.
Maggie went to the oats bin and got some for both horses. She gave them each a handful and patted their noses. They wanted more, but she said, "That's enough. Dad already fed you."
The horses seemed very disappointed, and Maggie decided to pat their necks. She started to crawl into Polly's feed box. But Polly rolled her eyes and threw herself back against the end of her rope. Maggie quickly got down.
Instead, she got into Molly's feed box. Molly gave Maggie a friendly sniff and waited. Maggie scratched Molly's ears, and the big horse closed her eyes with pleasure.
"Well," Maggie said at last. "I'd still rather have a pony, but you're pretty nice. I guess you can't help being so big."
Chapter Three
At breakfast the next morning, Dad said, "Maggie, do you want to ride one of the horses?"