she meant to have her way, though
Maud, who knew that there was a very strong mixture of stubbornness in
Bunny, wondered much if she would get it. Amusement, however, kept the
upper hand with him. Toby's treatment evidently appealed strongly to his
sense of humour. Perhaps her determination also made its impression upon
him, for after a little more chaff on his part and brisk insistence on
hers he departed, laughing, to join the children.

Toby saw him to the door and returned calm and triumphant.

"Well done!" said Maud. "You know how to deal with spoilt children
evidently."

Toby looked at her sharply as she sat down, almost as if she expected a
double meaning to the words.

"Do you mean men?" she said, and for an instant her childish face wore a
look of contempt. "Oh, anyone can manage men--given a fair chance.
There's not much cleverness needed for that."

She spoke with the decision of one who knew, and in spite of the
difference of years between them Maud could not question her confidence.
She had a curious feeling that--either by experience or intuition--this
girl knew more than she.

She made no comment therefore, and after a moment Toby spoke her last
word on the subject with characteristic brevity.

"There's only one rule to follow with men--that is, if you want any peace
at all. Make up your mind and stick to it! If they don't like it, let 'em
go to--" She checked suddenly, and coloured deeply under Maud's eyes--"I
mean, let 'em do the other thing," she ended, on a note that somehow
seemed to ask for pardon.

"I see," said Maud gently, in a tone that conveyed it.

Toby threw her a little smile, half-grateful and half-mischievous; and
curiously in that moment a bond was formed between them which was
destined to endure.

CHAPTER VII

THE PROMISE

There was undoubtedly a frown on Jake's usually serene countenance when
he walked up the great stable-yard a little later that evening and came
upon Bunny lounging in a doorway with his hands in his pockets talking to
one of the men.

"Look here, young feller, I want a word with you," he said, with his
customary directness, and laid a somewhat peremptory hand upon the boy's
shoulder.

Bunny, with a cigarette between his lips, turned and laughed at him
without a hint of discomfiture. "All right, boss. I'll come," he said,
and linked his arm in Jake's with boyish friendliness.

He was half-a-head taller than Jake, but the look of power that w