The raw-boned assistant turned to Helen apologetically.
"Lively hoss, Miss Richards," he declared.
"Reckon we're in for a little exercise."
And he grinned.

Anxiously Helen mounted the fence, standing
upon a lower board. "You won't hurt him, I
hope -- that is, needlessly! I don't want that, you
know!" And she gazed at Pat with pitiful eyes.

The other laughed. "No; 'tain't that," he
hastened to reassure her. "He's lively -- that's
all."

The professional looked Pat over speculatively,
and again made a suggestion. "Better blindfold
him, Larry," he said.

Pat heard this as he had heard the other. And
because he was coming to know this man's voice,
and to interpret it correctly, despite the agony
it cost him he went on his guard, spreading and
bracing his legs as against shock. He did not receive
shock, however. Merely a piece of soft
flannel was tucked gently under his halter and
drawn carefully over his eyes. Against the soft
pressure of it he closed his eyes. As he did so the
hand released his ear. Conscious of sweet relief
from the dread pain now, he opened his eyes
again, only to discover that he could not see!

Here was new distress! He did not understand
it. He knew that his eyes were open; knew that
it was the time of sunshine; knew with grim certainty
that he was awake. Yet he could not see!
He flung up his head; tossed it across and back;
flung it down again. Yet the unnatural darkness!

[[60]]

p059 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p060w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p061

v?