Mrs. Evringham laughed. "Well, he certainly didn't need to. Oh, see that beautiful head!" for Essex Maid looked out to discover what all the disturbance was about.
Harry paused in his examination of the pony, to go over to the mare's stall.
"Mr. Evringham said you were to ride her this morning, sir, if you liked. You'll be the first, beside him." Zeke paused and with a comical gesture of his head indicated the child and then the mare. "It's been nip and tuck between them, sir; but I guess Jewel's got the Maid beat by now."
"Two blue ribbons, she's won, sir. She'll get another this autumn if he shows her."
"I should think so. She's a raving beauty." As he spoke, Harry smoothed the bright coat. "When are we going out, Jewel?"
"But we couldn't leave mother," returned the child, from her slippery perch on the pony's back. She had been thinking about it. "Are you sure, Zeke, that grandpa said father might ride Essex Maid?"
"He told me so, himself," said Harry, amused.
Jewel shook her head, much impressed. "Then he loves you about the most of anybody," she remarked, with conviction.
"Don't think of me," said her mother. "You and father do just what you like. I can be happy just looking about this beautiful place."
"Oh, I know what," exclaimed Jewel, with sudden brightness. "Let's all go to the Ravine of Happiness before lunch time, and then wait for grandpa, and he can take mother in the phaeton, and father and I can ride horseback."
"Oh, I'm afraid your grandpa wouldn't like that," returned Mrs. Evringham quickly.
Zeke was standing near her. "He would if she said so, ma'am," he put in, in a low tone.
Harry tossed his head, amused. "It's a case, isn't it, Zeke?" he remarked.
"Yes, sir," returned the coachman. "He comes when he's called, and will eat out of her hand, sir."
Harry laughed and went back to the pony's stall. "Come on, then, Jewel, come to my old stamping ground, the ravine."
"And if her hair frightens the birds it's your fault," smiled Julia, smoothing with both hands the little flaxen head.
"The birds have seen me look a great deal worse than this, a great _deal_ worse," said Jewel cheerfully.
"Perhaps they'll think her hair is a nest and sit down in it," suggested her father, as they moved away, the happy child between them, holding a hand of each.