happened to be aware of what was going on; but the dog always
seemed to seize the opportunity when none of them were by, and Lulu
scorned to tell tales.

One morning, about a week after the accident to the book, Lulu, coming
down a little before the ringing of the breakfast-bell, found Max on the
veranda.

"Don't you want to take a ride with me after breakfast, Lu?" he asked.
"Mamma Vi says I can have her pony; and, as Rosie doesn't care to go, of
course you can ride hers."

"How do you know Rosie doesn't want to ride?" asked Lulu.

"Because I heard her tell her mother she didn't; that she meant to
drive over to Roselands with grandpa Dinsmore instead; that he had told
her he expected to go there to see Cal about some business matter, and
would take her with him. So you see, her pony won't be wanted; and
grandma Elsie has often said we could have it whenever it wasn't in use
or tired, and of course it must be quite fresh this morning."

"Then I'll go," said Lulu with satisfaction; for she was extremely fond
of riding, especially when her steed was Rosie's pretty, easy-going
pony, Gyp.

So Max ordered the two ponies to be in readiness; and, as soon as
breakfast was over, Lulu hastened to her room to prepare for her ride.

But in the mean time Mr. Dinsmore had told Rosie he had, for some
reason, changed his plans, and should wait till afternoon to make his
call at Roselands.

Then Rosie, glancing from the window, and seeing her pony at the door,
ready saddled and bridled, suddenly decided to take a ride, ran to her
room, donned riding hat and habit, and was down again a little in
advance of Lulu.

Max, who was on the veranda, waiting for his sister, felt rather
dismayed at sight of Rosie, as she came tripping out in riding-attire.

"O Rosie! excuse me," he said. "I heard you say you were going to drive
to Roselands with your grandpa, and so, as I was sure you wouldn't be
wanting your pony, I ordered him saddled for Lu."

"That happened very well, because he is here now all ready for me,"
returned Rosie, laughing, as she vaulted into the saddle, hardly giving
Max a chance to help her. "Lu can have him another time. Come, will you
go with me?"

For an instant Max hesitated. He did not like to refuse Rosie's request,
as she was not allowed to go alone outside the grounds, yet was equally
averse to seem to desert Lu.

"But," he thought, "she's sure to be in a passion when she finds this
out, and I can't bear