"I was Cinderella,"cried the child gayly."That's my glass slipper out there in the mud."Zeke would have liked to joke with her,but that was an impossibility in the august presence.He cast a curious glance at the little girl as he left the barn.He had received his mother's version of yesterday's experience."Well,it looks to me as if there was something those Christian Science folks know that the rest of us don't,"he soliloquized."I saw her with my own eyes,and felt her with my own hands.Mother says children get up from anything twice as quick as grown folks,but I don't know.""Don't you love a stable,grandpa?"exclaimed Jewel."Oh,I'm too happy to scuff,"and she kicked off the other rubber.Even while she spoke Essex Maid looked around and whinnied at sight of her master.
"She knows you,she knows you,"cried the little girl joyously,hopping up and down.
"Of course,"said Mr.Evringham,holding out his hand to the delighted child and leading her into the stall.The mare rubbed her nose against him."We couldn't get out this morning,eh,girl?"said the broker,caressing her neck,while Jewel smoothed the bright coat as high as she could reach.Her grandfather lifted her in his arms."Here,my maid,here's a new friend for you.In my pocket,Jewel."The child took out the lumps of sugar one by one,and Essex Maid ate them from the little hand,touching it gently with her velvet lips.
Zeke came in and whistled softly as he glanced at the group in the stall.
"Whew,"he mused."He's letting her feed the Maid.I guess she can put her shoes in histrunk all right."Mr.Evringham set Jewel on the mare's back and she smoothed the bright mane and patted the beautiful creature.
"I'd like to gallop off now over the whole country,"she said,her face glowing.
"I shouldn't be surprised either if you could do it bareback,"returned Mr.Evringham;"but you must never come into either of the stalls without me.You understand,do you?""Yes,grandpa.I'm glad you told me though,because I guess I should have."The child gave a quick,unconscious sigh.