Gabriel heaved a sigh of content and his head dropped back on the pillows contentedly.
"Guess it'll suit me all right," he said, "specially the pony. What you s'pose he looks like?"
"I shouldn't wonder if he was a bay--or perhaps brown; and not so very high. Just high enough for a little boy to climb on easily. Were you ever on a pony?"
"Gee--no! Wish I could see him right now!"
"Bet yer!" he said. "Could I get on him?"
She was back in a short time on Chula; Knight Judson with her on Victor. They hitched the horses round at the back of the little house so that Gabriel might get a good view of them.
"Gee! Oh, I wish--Couldn't I get on one of 'em? Just a minute?"
"Not to-day, dear. You aren't nearly strong enough. I couldn't think of letting you."
"Not if I lifted him very carefully and held him, Miss Warren?" Knight asked.
"Knight would be very careful," Blue Bonnet urged.
All three turned and looked at the child. His cheeks had flushed scarlet; his eyes were as brilliant as stars, his little thin arms outstretched toward Chula with the wildest anticipation.
"Just for a minute then, if Mr. Judson will be very careful."
Knight already had the child in his arms and was lifting him with the greatest tenderness. Gabriel sank into the saddle and reached for the lines with a chuckle of delight.
Knight patted Chula's shoulder and spoke quietly.
"Careful, old girl. This is a little sick boy you have on your back; no capers to-day."
"Couldn't he just walk round a minute?" Gabriel begged.
"If Mr. Judson takes you round _once_ will you get off willingly, Gabriel?"
Around they went once--so carefully; Blue Bonnet leading Chula, and Knight holding the child in the saddle. When they came back to the place where they had started, Gabriel put his arms round Knight's neck and the tired body sank into the strong arms willingly. Knight carried him to the chair and Gabriel snuggled into the pillows exhausted.
"He will be all right presently," Miss Warren promised, noting Blue Bonnet's and Knight's alarm. "He has no reserve strength yet--but it will come; here, in this sunshine."
Miss Warren went into the house for a glass of milk for Gabriel, and Blue Bonnet, dropping down beside him, rubbed his colorless little hands. For a moment the eyelids fluttered weakly; then they opened slowly and the eyes smiled.