“Jewel’s got a great pony here,” he said.

“Well, I should think so!” remarked Harry, as he and his wife followed where the child led, to a box stall.

“Why, Jewel, he’s right out of a story!” said her mother, viewing the wavy locks and sweeping tail, as the pony turned eagerly to meet his mistress.

Jewel put her arms around his neck and buried her face for an instant in his mane.  “I haven’t anything for you, Star, this time,” she said, as the pretty creature nosed about her.  “Mother, do you see his star?”

“Indeed I do,” replied Mrs. Evringham, examining the snowflake between the full, bright eyes.  “He’s the prettiest pony I ever saw, Jewel.  Did your grandpa have him made to order?”

Zeke shrugged his gingham clad shoulders.  “He would have, if he could, ma’am,” he put in.

Mrs. Evringham laughed.  “Well, he certainly didn’t need to.  Oh, see that beautiful head!” for Essex Maid looked out to discover what all the disturbance was about.

Harry paused in his examination of the pony, to go over to the mare’s stall.

“Whew, what a stunner!” he remarked.

“Mr. Evringham said you were to ride her this morning, sir, if you liked.  You’ll be the first, beside him.”  Zeke paused and with a comical gesture of his head indicated the child and then the mare.  “It’s been nip and tuck between them, sir; but I guess Jewel’s got the Maid beat by now.”

Harry laughed.

“Two blue ribbons, she’s won, sir.  She’ll get another this autumn if he shows her.”

“I should think so.  She’s a raving beauty.”  As he spoke, Harry smoothed the bright coat.  “When are we going out, Jewel?”

“But we couldn’t leave mother,” returned the child, from her slippery perch on the pony’s back.  She had been thinking about it.  “Are you sure, Zeke, that grandpa said father might ride Essex Maid?”

“He told me so, himself,” said Harry, amused.

Jewel shook her head, much impressed.  “Then he loves you about the most of anybody,” she remarked, with conviction.

“Don’t think of me,” said her mother.  “You and father do just what you like.  I can be happy just looking about this beautiful place.”

“Oh, I know what,” exclaimed Jewel, with sudden brightness.  “Let’s all go to the Ravine of Happiness before lunch time, and then wait for grandpa, and he can take mother in the phaeton, and father and I can ride horseback.”

“Oh, I’m afraid your grandpa wouldn’t like that,” returned Mrs. Evringham quickly.

Zeke was standing near her.  “He would if she said so, ma’am,” he put in, in a low tone.

Julia smiled kindly upon him.

Harry tossed his head, amused.  “It’s a case, isn’t it, Zeke?” he remarked.

“Yes, sir,” returned the coachman.  “He comes when he’s called, and will eat out of her hand, sir.”

Harry laughed and went back to the pony’s stall.  “Come on, then, Jewel, come to my old stamping ground, the ravine.”