"Aw, Dexie!"
"That's m'little girl. I knew you was game. Give us a sweet kiss now—come awn. Whass matter?"
"The wind's pulling my hat loose," said Daisy, "I'll take it off."
"That's th' idea," approved Mr. Coleman, reining his impatience.
They were descending a hill, at the bottom of which a slough crossed the trail. Fences to right and left forbade a detour.
"I guess we'll have to drive right through it," said Daisy.
"How about the hat?" demanded Mr. Coleman, who was now so close that his companion could barely move her elbow, "can't you get it off?"
"Oh," Daisy looked up innocently, "I forgot about the hat. All right—there, it's off."
She took off the hat and laid it in her lap. They had now reached the edge of the shallow slough in the valley-bottom, into which the livery horse waded, gingerly and slow.
"Maybe he wants a drink," said Daisy; "whoa, pettie! Thirsty?"