ed her lip, but Margaret
only laughed. "Frightful, isn't it? but how would you have me ride in my
father's study? And the horses that went by our windows had mostly drays
behind them, so they were not very tempting. Is William going to saddle
White Eagle for you, girls?"

"William has gone to the mill, or to bed, or somewhere," said Peggy. "I
am going to saddle him myself. John Strong said I might."

They went out to the great, pleasant barn, and while Peggy saddled the
good horse, Rita and Margaret mounted the old swing, and went flying
backward and forward between the great banks of fragrant hay.

"Isn't it good to be a swallow?" said Margaret. "I wonder if we shall
really fly some day; it really seems as if we might."

"I would rather be an eagle," said Rita. "To flutter a little, here and
there, and sleep in a barn,--that would not be a great life. An eagle,
soaring over the field of battle,--aha! he is my bird! But what is this
outcry? Has he bitten thee, Peggy?"

For Peggy was shouting from below; yet when they listened, the shouts
were of wonder and delight.

"Oh, girls, do just look here! There is a new horse,--a colt! Oh, what a
beauty!"

The girls came down hastily, and ran to the door of the second box
stall, which had been empty since they came. There stood a noble young
horse, jet black, with a single white mark on his forehead. His coat
shone like satin, his eyes beamed with friendly inquiry. Already Peggy
had her head against his shoulder, and was murmuring admiration in his
ear.

"You lovely, you dear, beautiful thing, where did you come from? Oh,
Margaret, isn't he a darling? Come and see him!"

Margaret came in rather timidly; she was not used to animals, and the
horse seemed very large, tramping about freely in his ample stall. But
he received her so kindly, and put his nose in her pocket with such
confiding grace, that her fears were soon conquered. Rita patted him
graciously, but kept her distance. "Very fine, my dear, but the straw
smells, and gets on one's clothes so. Saddle me this one, Peggy, and you
can have the white one yourself."

"Are we--have we leave to take this horse?" asked Margaret, colouring.
It was too horrid that she must always play the dragon,--as if she liked
it,--and of course the others thought she did.

"Have we been forbidden to take the horse, dear?" asked Rita with
dangerous sweetness. "No? But perhaps you were told to keep watch on us
by your friend, the ser