[CHAPTER III.]
The epidemic abated with the early frosts, and the Wallace brothers had a little more leisure. Dr. Dick was thin and pale, but assured Mrs. Fred, when she worried about it, that he would soon pick up.
One day Dr. Fred drove home with Julie and a new mate. He had traded Queen off. The new horse was named Kit, and she did not match Julie in color as Queen had.
Mrs. Fred cried. She said it seemed just like trading one of the family off, and she could not endure it.
Dr. Dick looked dark, but only added, "I regret it exceedingly."
"You're a—pair of fools," growled Fred, "and I have had enough of this nonsense! A horse is no more than any other piece of property, and I'll trade every one on the place if I please."
"You dasn't trade Dandy," cried the eldest of the family hopefuls, saucily; "he's Uncle Dick's."
Bob unhitched the new mare and led her into Queen's stall.
How we all felt!