"See there!" she cried to the strangers, "you are witnesses to Chester Wallace's brotherly treatment. I have always heard that a man who is unkind to animals will be equally cruel to woman, or any weak, defenceless thing."
The men looked annoyed. Finally one of them said:
"We are very sorry, Miss, but your brother has hired us to come some distance, and we are obliged to perform the operation and go. It really does not hurt the horses much, and it only lasts a minute. All the stylish turnouts in cities are now drawn by docked horses."
"But uncle says it is barbarous and ought to be prohibited by law, and he knows."
It did seem pitiful, the two mute, dumb beasts standing, trembling with apprehension, and only the sobbing voice and puny arm of a mere child between them and a dreadful fate.
In a rage Chet spoke out fiercely:
"Either go in the house, Miss, or else stand by and enjoy it; the business is going on."
"Then I shall stand by, for I mean to report everything to papa and Uncle Dick."
"Little tattler!" he hissed.
"Yes, sir, and further you will find yourself, your 'deah lambie darling' from Boston, and your mutilated horses all out of shelter when papa comes home. I guess when he sees my arm your cake will be dough."