“Soh! Good fellow, good fellow! Come here!� Tibby paused, and holding out her hand beckoned the animal toward her. Then they stood looking at one another steadily. Finally the roan took a few steps forward, striking the ground, and seeming to question her right to command him.
“Come here, I tell you!� said Tibby imperiously, again, and to the surprise of all the horse once more took a few steps nearer her. Haltingly it walked toward her, nearer, its eyes fixed on the girl and her outstretched hand. A few more steps and it was within reach, and Tibby’s hand was upon its nose and she had conquered.
“Well, I’m astonished at that!� exclaimed Mark. “He’s the Devil’s own, usually. He must have an eye for beauty, the rascal.�
Tibby stood and stroked the animal’s nose, whispering to him as she did so, and feeding him grass which she pulled from the ground.
“You are not afraid, Tempest. You must always come when I call you. Soh! Good Tempest; come, sir, come! I’ll show you to the mistress.� And Tibby turned toward the house, the horse following the hand touching his nose.
“Why, if that girl ain’t leading Tempest!� Alice exclaimed. “He’s the wildest colt of the lot. Even Mark hasn’t been able to do much with him, he’s so vixenish. And without a bridle! How did she manage it?�
“She can manage almost anything,� laughed Mrs. Wylie. “I sometimes think she manages all of us. I don’t know how we should get along without her.�
“Where did you find her?�
“In a country place not far from Forest City. I took her for a nurse girl for Robbie, but as I wrote you, I’ve made a companion and daughter of her. She is invaluable in any capacity. The only trouble I have is keeping the young men from running off with her. She attracts a great deal of attention wherever we are stopping, and woe be it to any young woman who purposely ignores her. She makes her a wall-flower from that time on, and draws away every young man who would pay the offending one any attention.�
“But how can she do it? Of course she is remarkably handsome, but that does not always—�