On the first morning of her visit the cousins drove out to the Cliff House to see the sea-lions, and almost before Alaric knew how it was accomplished, he found Esther perched on the high right-hand cushion of the box-seat in full possession of reins and whip, while he occupied the lower seat on her left, as though he were the guest and she the hostess of the occasion. At the same time the ponies seemed filled with an unusual activity, and were clattering along at a pace more exhilarating than they had ever shown under his guidance.
After that Esther always drove, and Alaric, sitting beside her, listened with wondering admiration to her words of wisdom and practical advice on all sorts of subjects. She had never been abroad, but she knew infinitely more of her own country than he, and was so enthusiastic concerning it that in three days' time she had made him feel prouder of being an American than he had believed it possible he ever would be. She knew so much concerning out-of-door life, too—about animals and birds and games. She criticised the play of the baseball nines, whom they saw in one part of Golden Gate Park; and when they came to another place where some acquaintances of Alaric's were playing tennis, she asked for an introduction to the best girl player on the ground, promptly challenged her to a trial of skill, and beat her three straight games.
During the play she presented such a picture of glowing health and graceful activity that pale-faced Alaric sat and watched her with envious admiration.
"I would give anything I own in the world to be able to play tennis as you can, Cousin Esther," he said, earnestly, after it was all over and they were driving away.
"Why don't you learn, then?" asked the girl, in surprise.
"Because I have a weak heart, you know, and am forbidden any violent exercise."
The boy hesitated, and even blushed, as he said this, though he had never done either of those things before when speaking of his weak heart. In fact, he had been rather proud of it, and considered that it was a very interesting thing to have. Now, however, he felt almost certain that Esther would laugh at him.
And so she did. She laughed until Alaric became red in the face from vexation; but when she noticed this she instantly grew very sober, and said:
"Excuse me, Cousin Rick. I didn't mean to laugh; but you did look so woe-begone when you told me about your poor weak heart, and it seems so absurd for a big, well-looking boy like you to have such a thing, that I couldn't help it."