nuzzle her hands for sweets. Whereupon she burst
into laughter and forcibly hugged him again.

"I forgot," she declared, regretfully. "You
shall have them, though -- right away!" Then she
arose and left him -- left him a very much mystified
colt. But when she returned with what he sought
he looked his delight, and closed over the sweets
with an eagerness that forced her into sober reflection.
"Pat," she said, after a time, "I don't
think you care one single bit for me! All you
care about, I'll bet, is what I bring you to eat!"
Then she began to stroke him. "Just the same,"
she concluded, after a while, tenderly, "you're
the dearest colt that ever lived!" She dallied
with him a moment longer, then abruptly left
him, running back to the house.

The days which followed, however, were full
of delight for him. Now that the mysterious activity
in the house was over with, his mistress
began to visit him again with more than frequent
regularity. And with each visit she would remain
with him a long time, caressing him, talking to
him, as had been her wont in the earlier days of
their friendship. But as against those earlier days
he had changed. Possibly this was due to her
absence. Instead of frisking about the inclosure
now, as he had used to frisk -- whirling madly
from her in play -- he would remain very still
during her visits, standing motionless under her
caresses and love-talk. Also, when she took herself
off each time, instead of hurrying frantically
after her to the gate, he would walk slowly, even

[[45]]

p044 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p045w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p046

v?