“Isn’t he a beauty, Arthur?” called Ruth, coming out on the piazza in all the glory of her dark-blue habit, high boots and gauntlet gloves.

Arthur, who had a pocketful of sugar and was dividing it impartially between the two horses, turned at the sound of the voice and gave her an approving glance.

“He certainly is,” he answered, “and he’s going to have a very swell-looking rider, too.  I like that blue dress and that neat little hat.”

“Glad you’re suited,” laughed Ruth.  “He ought to have a name; do think up a nice name right off now so that I can have something to call him this afternoon.”

“I like your way of ordering me to think up things on the moment,” protested Arthur in an aggrieved tone.

“Of course you like it.  Do think quick, because Uncle Henry is just ready to start.”

“Peter Pan,” suggested Arthur.  “And then he’ll never grow old and bony and lame.”

“Clever boy,” said Ruth approvingly as they started off.  “That name suits me exactly.  Can’t you just see him doing a shadow dance with me on his back?”

Arthur watched them until a curve in the road hid them from sight.  Then as he started toward the house a familiar voice hailed him, and he turned to see Dr. Holland looking at him with approving eyes.

“Pretty nice looking pair of riders, aren’t they?  Why don’t you go in for that sort of thing, my boy?”

“I shall just as soon as you say I can, doctor.”

“Go ahead then, with my blessing.  You’ve always been so used to riding that the exercise will be the best thing in the world for you.  Leg still pain you any?”

“A little, but it’s growing stronger every day.”

“Well, keep it up, young man, and you’ll come out all right,” said the doctor heartily as he drove off, leaving Arthur to find his mother and tell her the good news.

In the meantime Ruth and Mr. Hamilton were riding at an easy pace down the road past the old mill.  It was a rare day for March.  The snow had been gone for a fortnight, and to-day the air and sunshine were full of promises of spring.

To Ruth the ride was a perfect delight.  She was happy because the sun shone, and because fleecy clouds were chasing each other across a blue sky.  She loved the hint of spring in the air, and the fresh breeze which blew over the lake.  Most of all she delighted in Peter Pan, who responded to her slightest touch, and flew over the ground so smoothly and surely that fear was impossible.

As they rounded the lake and came out on the side nearest the centre of the town, Ruth saw a house which seemed strangely familiar to her.

“Why, it’s Mrs. Perrier’s house, and there’s Marie out on the porch,” she said in great surprise.  “I haven’t seen it from this side before and I didn’t know it at first.  Do you think we might stop and see Marie for just a few minutes?  I haven’t been to see her for two weeks, and I’m afraid she’ll think I’m neglecting her.”