I liked Bobby from the time Master first held the little yellow-haired creature on my back, for a ride; and she always clapped her little hands on seeing me, and cried, "Dandy! Dandy!"
I liked her for herself, and also because Dr. Dick loved her. It did me good to know that he had this little child to pet and think about.
Things went well enough for a week or so after Master left, then Chet began to drive me.
Sometimes when the doctor would use me for a long drive in the day, soon after dark, while I was yet eating my supper, the boy, with some companion, would come into the barn and put my harness on. Herman would object, and there would be a fuss between them, always ending in my being hitched in a buggy or road-cart and driven out.
It was the second time that this occurred that I discovered that Chet was under the influence of liquor, as was also his companion, and they carried bottles with them. Chet used the whip freely, and I went as fast as I could; but the oftener they touched those bottles the harder they drove. After what seemed to me hours of agony, they pulled up before a brilliantly lighted old building out in the country, hitched me and staggered in.
The wind was raw and cold, and the sweat pouring off me. I surely thought Chet would remember my blanket, but he didn't, and there I had to stand one, two, three, four or more dreadful hours. Long before they came out I was alternately chilling and burning. I ached and trembled.
They drove home as fast as they came, whipping nearly all the way, though I was doing my best.
Herman swore profusely (people did not do that around the barn when Master was home) as he rubbed me down rapidly with a coarse cloth before blanketing me closely.
How I felt!
And thirsty—it did seem I must have water or choke, but he gave me none for some reason.