“The brown pony is for you, my child, and Lawrence is to have the white one. So you like them, my dears?”
“Like them? Oh, we love them, father! Wherever did you find such treasures? Thanks, thanks, a thousand times thanks, you dear kind father.” And the children threw their arms around his neck and kissed him again most heartily.
“There now, that is all right,” said Squire Morton, putting his collar straight. “Now mount. Never mind a saddle. David shall come and show your mother how you can ride your new possessions.”
And leaping upon their backs Lawrence and Betty trotted away, using the primitive reins that hung loosely round their ponies’ necks, and behaving like experienced equestrians.
“See, mother, what a lovely little creature mine is,” cried Betty.
“And mine,” cried Lawrence. “She is as white as milk and her name is Snowie.”
“How pleased the children are, John,” said their mother, “you could not have found a more suitable birthday gift.”
“Just have a ride about the park, children, and then let David lead them away. It is tea-time now, and to-morrow morning you must both be up early and have a canter before breakfast.”
Afterwards when they were together in the stable and were made comfortable for the night, “Snowie,” said Bob, “before I go to sleep I should like t’fess. I told you a big fib as we were coming along from the station.”
“Oh,” said the sedate little mare, looking much shocked.
“Yes, I did. It was such a sudden change. And things have fashioned themselves so funnily I couldn’t stand it.”
“I said he was groom in the stables where I was born.”
“David knew me when I trundled a rag and bone cart along the streets of London in company with my first owner, Mistress Sally Brimstone.”
“Yes, Bob. Rag and bone cart. Sally Brimstone? I can’t understand it!” cried Snowie, aghast.
“No, but I can. Old Sally sold me to old Jenkins for thirty shillings. That’s where I came from, Snowie. Fact!”
“But you always told me you were gently reared.”
“I’m afraid I always told you fibs. Now I’m going to turn over a new leaf in this new situation. From henceforth I shall speak the truth.”
“If I were you I would just hold my tongue and from henceforth say nothing at all!”
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