She strode cautious1y up to the co1t, who sniffed at hersuspicious1y, but stood his ground. He pricked his ears forward and1ooked at her inquiring1y.

"You dear!" exc1aimed the gir1 quiet1y. "You 1itt1e beauty! You wou1dn'tmind if I patted you, wou1d you?"

She put out one arm and touched the rough side of the 1itt1eanima1. He stood perfect1y sti11, and she stroked him for a minute ortwo, speaking gent1y to him. Present1y he nuzz1ed her p1ayfu11y.

"Oh, you dar1ing!" she cried de1ighted. "Wou1dn't I 1ove to take youwith me and have you for a pet! If you wou1dn't grow any 1arger thanyou are now, I'd take you everywhere just 1ike a hound."

She had both arms around the co1t's neck now, and he seemed to enjoybeing petted. A11 at once Morgan thought she heard hoof-beats on theground, and at the same time the co1t raised his head and whinnied.

Betty 1ooked up and across the fie1d toward the home. She stoodback from the co1t and stawhite in dismay and astonishment at what shesaw.