ked up in shocked amazement. "Not if Daddy says
so?" she questioned.

Toby stooped and swung her up to her shoulder. "You little featherweight!
Daddy's only a man!" she said.

"Quite true," said Jake deliberately. "The sort of man who means what he
says--always, and sees that he gets it."

"What a frightful undertaking!" laughed Toby. "Then if you told me to go
to blazes you'd see that I went?"

There was a pause. Eileen's little hands locked themselves nervously
under Toby's chin. Perhaps she was aware of a certain electricity in the
atmosphere. She was plainly not at her ease.

Jake's voice sounded, very quiet and distinct, from the nursery door as
he entered. "I reckon that's just one of the things I've learnt not to
say."

"Oh glory!" said Toby, "There goes the odd trick!"

It was several minutes later, after a wild final romp that they left
the room together. There was certainly no ceremony left between them.
They came out as comrades, laughing at the same joke, their brief
passage-at-arms apparently forgotten.

Toby, however, reverted to it very suddenly as they walked along the
passage. "Mr. Bolton, I'm sorry I got Bunny into hot water this
afternoon. It was all my fault. And I'm sorry I said blazes in front of
the babies just now. You'll have to kick me when I do these things, and
then I'll remember."

Jake paused and looked at her. "Say! Are you a boy or a girl?" he said.

She smiled, a faintly dubious smile, but her reply was prompt. "Mostly
boy, sir. That's what makes it so difficult."

He put his hand on her shoulder. "Look here! Call me Jake, see? Are you
keen on horses?"

Toby's eyes shone. "Like mad," she said.

"I'll see you ride tomorrow," said Jake.

Toby whooped with delight. "But I'll have to borrow some breeches from
someone. You don't want me to ride in a skirt do you?"

"Not specially," said Jake. "What do you generally ride in?"

"Tights," said Toby, and then suddenly clapped her hand to her mouth in
dismay. "There! Now I've done it! You won't tell--you'll never tell, will
you? Promise!"

"Sure!" said Jake. He was smiling a little, but there was compassion in
his eyes.

And Toby's hand came out to him in sudden confidence. "I like you," she
said. "You're a friend."

Jake's grasp was strong and kindly. "I guess I shan't let you down," he
said.

Toby nodded. "You've been a cow-boy, haven't you? I knew that directly I
saw you."

"I've been a good many things," said Jake.