The poor young thing hung her head pitifully. "I thought I was doing all right, but he jerked the lines this way and that, until I became so nervous I did not know what to do, and finally stumbled. With that he stood right up in the cart and whipped me. It seemed every blow cut in half an inch. I reared and plunged to escape the lash, but he kept on till I got quiet through sheer exhaustion. Oh, me! I wish I were dead; men have the power, and they are so cruel."
Another time he drove her until she was dripping with sweat, then led her into a spring of cold water and dashed it all over her.
Every one about the stables said it would kill her, but she got along with only a severe cold.
About this time Dr. Fred sent Chet off to school, and I, for one, was relieved.
Carm drove Topsy then, but she said he was never abusive, only sometimes forgetful.
After Chet had been gone a few months there came a letter from him that made a deal of trouble in the house. What it was about I cannot really say, but Master announced to me one morning that we were going to live at the farm.
I was glad, for I was tired of the livery barn.
We moved right away, but I could see that something was sorely troubling him.
A man and his wife by the name of Pell ran the farm now, and a breezy, young English couple they were. She especially pleased me with her sunny ways and funny pronunciation.
She fixed Master's rooms up "'omelike," she called it, and was always tucking posies in my bridle, or feeding me with sweet cakes.