Bareheaded, his attire in disorder and covered with slaver and sand, the
young man laid the bridle on the horse's neck, held out his hand, and,
saying "Come," turned his back and walked down the bridle path. The horse
stretched a sweating neck, sniffed, pricked forward both small ears, and
slowly followed, turning as the man turned, up and down, crowding at heel
like a trained dog, finally stopping on the edge of the walk.

The young man looped the bridle over a low maple limb, and leaving the
horse standing sauntered over to the bench.

"That horse," he said pleasantly, "is all right now; but the question is,
are you all right?"

She rose, handing him his hat, and began to twist up her bright hair. For
a few moments' silence they were frankly occupied in restoring order to
raiment, dusting off gravel and examining rents.

"I'm tremendously grateful," she said abruptly.

"I am, too," he said in that attractive manner which sets people of
similar caste at ease with one another.

"Thank you; it's a generous compliment, considering your hat and
clothing."

He looked up; she stood twisting her hair and doing her best with the few
remaining hair pegs.

"I'm a sight for little fishes," she said, coloring. "Did that wretched