Walk and riding lesson over, they returned to the house.
It was time to dress for dinner. That attended to, the little girls sought the ladies in Mrs. Dinsmore’s boudoir, where they sat in dinner dress but busied with their fancy work.
The gentlemen were there too, chatting with their wives and fondling their baby boys.
The moment little Horace caught sight of his sister he held out his arms to her with a crow of delight, for he was already very fond of her.
Hastening to her father’s side, “O papa!” she said in her most coaxing tones, “mayn’t I take him?”
“Sit down in that low chair, and I will put him on your lap,” he answered.
“Oh, thank you, sir,” she said, gladly complying with the condition.
“Well, Annis,” said the doctor, “I hear you are in a fair way to become an accomplished horsewoman.”
“In as fair a way as having the best of teachers can make me.”
“And a good little pony to learn on,” added Elsie.