rider sat her firmly and brought her down to a gentle trot by the time
the gate was reached.

"Horo, mamma!" shouted Hughie, clambering down to open the gate.

"Well, my darling! have you been a good boy all afternoon?"

"Huh-huh! Guess who's come back from the shanties!"

"I'm sure I can't guess. Who is it?" It was a very bright and very
sweet face, with large, serious, gray-brown eyes that looked down on the
little boy.

"Guess, mamma!"

"Why, who can it be? Big Mack?"

"No!" Hughie danced delightedly. "Try again. He's not big."

"I am sure I can never guess. Whoa, Pony!" Pony was most unwilling to
get in close enough to the gate-post to let Hughie spring on behind his
mother.

"You'll have to be quick, Hughie, when I get near again. There now!
Whoa, Pony! Take care, child!"

Hughie had sprung clean off the post, and lighting on Pony's back just
behind the saddle, had clutched his mother round the waist, while the
pony started off full gallop for the stable.