Of course, Dr. Dick visited my stall the first thing. I laid my head on his shoulder and could have cried with relief. The moment he moved away I would recall him with a whinny, and he finally led me out with his own hands for some water.
That spot on my back was the first thing to catch his eye in the perfect light, but Park was ready with a plausible story about Minnie trying a side-saddle on me "just because I needed exercise," and it rubbed my back.
That was all. I never heard any more about it, except that Master pitied and petted me even more than before. Thinking of the thousands upon thousands of poor creatures that are abused much worse every day, and never receive a kind word or pat, I felt that my lines were cast in pleasant places.
Anyway I never heard any more about Master marrying Miss Winters, and after awhile she went away.
Just prior to this last event, she and Mrs. Wallace drove out with me, and I heard the former say: "I hate Dandy, I believe I am jealous of him."
Such a pretty dapple gray was brought into the barn one night, her back one mass of ridges made by a whip.
"What a shame!" one of the stable men said, "and she's a willing piece of horseflesh too."
"Yes," said another, "but some fellows think it looks big to whip like that; shows their power and importance."
"Shows they're —— fools!"