CHAPTER X.
BESSIE IS INTRODUCED TO BILL SYKES.
“Would you care to see my dogs, Miss Lambert?” asked Richard, and Bessie only hesitated for a moment.
“Very much. That is, if it will not trouble you.”
“Not in the least; they are only just outside in the stable yard. Leo, our big mastiff, who gained the prize last year, is over at the farm. He is a splendid fellow, but a trifle fierce to strangers. He pulled a man down once, a tramp who was lurking about the place. Leo had got loose somehow, and he was at his throat in a moment. The poor fellow has the scar now; but I made it up to him, poor wretch.”
“I should not care to go near Leo’s kennel,” returned Bessie, with a shudder.
“Oh, it would be all right if I were with you. I should just put my hand on your arm and say, ‘A friend, Leo,’ and he would be as gentle as Mac, here. Leo is my faithful servant and guardian at the farm. I always take him out for a walk on Sunday afternoons. Leo knows Sunday as well as I do. Now, we must be quick, or the gong will sound. There is no need to go through the house; this door leads to the kitchen garden, and we can reach the stables that way.” And talking in this easy, friendly fashion, Richard quickly conducted Bessie down the trim gravel walks, under the apple and plum trees, and then unlocking a green door in the wall, Bessie found herself in the stable yard, where the groom was rubbing down a fine brown mare. The mare neighed as soon as she heard her master’s voice, and Richard went up to her and petted her glossy sides.
“That is brown Bess,” he observed. “She is a skittish young thing, and plays her pranks with every one but me; but you and I understand each other, eh, old lady?” And the mare rubbed her nose against him in a confiding manner. Bessie looked on with an earnest air of interest.
“Do you ride?” asked Richard presently.