quent intervals for the motherly assurance that
all was well.

As part of the Great Scheme, all this was good
for him. In his brief panic when out of sight of
his mother he was taught how very necessary she
was to his existence. In his running back and
forth, with now and again breathless speeding, he
developed the muscles of his body, to the end that
later he might well take up an independent fight
for life. In the curious interest he displayed in
all subjects about him he lent unknowing assistance
to a spiritual development as necessary as
physical development. All this prepared him to
meet men and measures as he was destined to
meet them -- with gentleness, with battle,-with
affection -- like for like -- as he found it. It was
all good for him, this movement, this change of
environment, this quick awakening of interest.
It shaped him in both body and spirit to the Great
Purpose.

This interest seemed unbounded. Whenever a
jack-rabbit shot across the trail, or a covey of
birds broke from the sand-hills, he would come to
a quick pause and blink curiously, seeming to
understand and approve, and to be grateful, as if
all these things were done for him. Also, with
each halt Felipe made with _compadres_?? along the
trail, friends who entered with him in loud badinage
over the ownership of the colt -- an ownership all
vigorously denied him -- the colt himself would
cock his ears and fix his eyes, seemingly aware of
his importance and pleased to be the object of

[[30]]

p029 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p030w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p031

v?