“Go for a spin upon Shashai’s silky back, and let Tzaritza’s long leaps carry yon into a world of gladness.  Nelly has been asking for you and the five-mile ride to her home will put things straighter.”

“I’ll go,” answered Peggy, and left him to get into her linen riding skirt, for it was still very warm in Maryland.

From the moment of her return Tzaritza had never left Peggy’s side, and her horses, especially Shashai, Roy and Star had greeted her with every demonstration of affection.  She now made her way to the paddock intending to take out her favorite, but when she called him the other two came bounding toward her, nozzling, whinnying, begging for her caresses.

“What shall I do with all three of you?” cried Peggy.  “I can’t ride three at once.”

“You’ll be having one grand time to git shet o’ the other two whichever one you do take; they’ve been consoling themselves for your absence by stickin’ together as thick as thieves:  Where one goes, there goes ’tothers,” laughed Shelby, who had gone down to the paddock with her.

“Then let them come along if they want to,” and Peggy joined in the laugh.

“You couldn’t lose ’em if you tried; first they love you, and then they’re so stuck on each other you’d think it was one body with a dozen legs.”

Without another word Peggy sprang to Shashai’s back.  Then with the clear whistle her pets knew so well, was off down the road.  That was a mad, wild gallop but when she came to Nelly’s home her cheeks were glowing and her eyes shining as of old.

“Oh, have you seen Pepper and Salt?” was almost the first question Nelly asked.

“Well, I guess I have, and aren’t they wonders?  Oh, I’m so glad I saw them that day.  Do you know they are to be entered in the horse-show and the steeple-chase this fall?  Well, they are.  Shelby has made them such beauties.  But now tell me all about yourself.  I’m going to write to Polly tonight and she will never forgive me if I don’t tell her just everything.  You are looking perfectly fine.  And how is the knee?”

“Just as well as its mate.  I wouldn’t know I had ever been lame.  Your doctor is a wonder, Miss Peggy, and he was so kind.  He said you told him you had adopted me and he was bound to take extra good care of me because I was your girl now.  I didn’t know you had told him to attend me until after you had gone away and I can’t thank you enough, but father is so worried because he thinks he will never be able to pay such a bill as Doctor Kendall’s ought to be for curing me.  But I tell him it will come out all right, just as it always has before, for things are looking up right smart on the farm now.  Tom and Jerry certainly do earn their keep, as Mr. Shelby said they would, and they are so splendid and big and round and roly-poly, and strong enough to pull up a tree, father says.  Don’t you want to come and see them?”