Hill Grace Brooks - The Corner House Girls on a Tour стр 6.

This is Mrs. Heard, Neale, said Ruth, smiling. You sometimes do prove to be a smart boy. What did you do to him?

Neale grinned broadly. He had been used to horses all his life and he knew a few tricks of the Gypsies and the horse-traders.

I just told him something, the boy said.

Oo-ee! cried Tess. Did you really whisper to him?

Neale nodded.

What did you whisper to the pony? asked Dot, wide-eyed.

Agnes snapped, thinking Neale was fooling her: I dont believe

it!

Yes, I whispered to him, said the boy, seriously.

Oh, Neale! remonstrated Ruth.

Well! For all I ever heard! exclaimed Mrs. Heard. What did you whisper to that vexatious brute of a pony?

If I told what it was, that would spoil the charm, said Neale, gravely.

Nonsense! ejaculated Agnes, flushing.

Now you know that is ridiculous, said Ruth, inclined to be exasperated with the boy as much as she had been with the pony.

No. It is a fact, said the boy, decidedly.

Now, you know that isnt so, Neale ONeil! cried Agnes.

I assure you it is. Anyway, they say if you tell it what you say to anybody else, the horse will balk again right away. Its a secret between him and the person

I never heard such a ridiculous thing in all my life, gasped Mrs. Heard.

I think you are not very polite, Neale, said Ruth, quite sternly.

Now see here! cried the badgered boy, getting rather vexed himself. I tell you I cant tell you

Youre talking anything but English, complained Agnes.

Well, maybe I didnt talk English into the ponys ear, retorted Neale, grinning suddenly again. Anyway, the old Gyp who taught me that trick told me I must never say the words aloud, or to anybody who would not make proper use of the magic formula.

Oh, shucks! exclaimed Agnes, in disgust. Tell me. Ill try it on Billy Bumps when he balks, said Tess, in a small voice.

At that they all laughed and Neale got in behind the steering wheel again. The two older girls were much interested in Mrs. Heard and that woman was evidently pleased with the sisters.

Why, yes; I ought to know you Corner House girls. Goodness knows Ive heard enough about you and my name being Heard, I heard a lot! and she laughed. But you see, I live away on this side of town, and dont go to your church; so we have never met before.

I am sure the loss has been ours, said Ruth, politely. I hope your pony will not balk again to-day.

Goodness knows! Hell balk if he takes a notion to. I dont suppose what you whispered to him is guaranteed to be a permanent cure, is it, boy? she asked Neale ONeil.

No, maam, grinned the boy.

And you expected to go to Marchenell Grove to-day, Mrs. Heard? Ruth said, reflectively, looking at Agnes enquiringly although she spoke to the mistress of the fat brown pony.

I had thought to. Philly Collinger was going to take me. But if he doesnt recover his car hell not take me auto riding very soon again.

Well, said Ruth, having received a nod of acquiescence from Agnes, I dont see why you shouldnt go there to-day just the same. Wont you come with us? Theres room in the car.

Goody! Of course she can! cried Agnes, clapping her hands.

I think that would be real nice, agreed Tess.

Dot moved over at once to make room. She can sit beside me and the Alice-doll, she proclaimed.

Well, I declare! exclaimed Mrs. Heard, her face alight with pleasure at this united invitation. You are just the nicest girls I ever met. I wonder if Id better?

Of course, said Ruth. You can find some place to leave the pony. Or Neale can, Im sure.

Why, I know these people right in the very next house, said Mrs. Heard. Indeed I expected to call there if Jonas ever got that far.

Neale got briskly out of the car again. Ill go and unharness him, he said, cheerfully. You just find out where I shall put him. Hed rather have you ride in an automobile than drag you himself, and he laughed.

Did did he tell you so, Neale, when you were talking with him? asked Dot, in amazement.

Then they all laughed.

CHAPTER III WHAT MRS. HEARD TOLD

This this is just delightful, sighed Mrs. Heard. Especially after sitting behind that brute of a pony. I do love an automobile.

So do I! Agnes cried. Id rather ride in this car than in a golden chariot I know I would.

I dont know how they run chariots, nowadays, said Neale, chuckling; whether by horse-power or gas. But sometimes a car balks, you know.

Not so often as that Jonas, declared Mrs. Heard. Ive been out with my nephew a lot. His is a nice car. I hope hell find it.

Why, of course the thieves will be apprehended, said Ruth. What good are the police?

When it comes to autos, said Neale, slyly, the police are mostly good for stopping you and getting you fined.

Well,

dont you dare drive too fast and get us fined, Neale ONeil, ordered Ruth, sternly.

No, maam, he returned. But Agnes whispered in his ear:

I dont care how fast you run it, Neale. I love to go fast.

Youll be a speed fiend, Aggie, he declared. Thats what youll be.

Oh! I want to drive. I must learn.

Youll have to ask Mr. Howbridge about that, Neale told her.