"Another time," he called. "How would you like to have a picnic supper over there, and have Mother go?"
They made the welkin ring when they heard this proposal, and smiling kindly on the little flock this patient man went on his way up to the house.
I wondered what he would say to his nephew, but as it turned out he never mentioned the affair till days later. He just sat by the fire with Dallas, reading to him and trying to get his young mind off himself. The lesson came when they were both with me.
CHAPTER XII THE DRIVE TO THE GAME WARDEN'S
Mr. Devering kept Dallas quiet for several days. He saw that the boy had been under a great nervous strain in coming here and he had him lounge about the veranda while I was detained in my stall. It is not good for ponies and horses to be too much in cold water and I had had a chill.
I dozed and slept and had a fine petting from Cassowary, who was the one detailed to look after me. A friendship sprang up between us that will never die and often she would perch on my manger and talk to me at length about her beloved Indian pony Apache Girl.
This young girl was not much of a talker except in streaks. I saw she was not just like the other children, and later on I found out the reason.
One lovely warm day when the afternoon was half over I stood looking out the big window before me and to my joy saw Mr. Devering and Dallas coming up to the stable.