sess a
nickel to pay for a ride on their broad backs or a drive in a roomy
carriage, when Mary Rose saw Mr. Jerry. She had sadly refused Miss
Thorley's invitation to ride because she did not wish to leave her
alone, and Miss Thorley would not ride one of the ponies nor drive in
one of the carriages.

"There's Mr. Jerry!" squealed Mary Rose when she saw him. She could
scarcely believe her eyes, but she waved her hand. "He's the man who
boards my cat, you know," she explained to Miss Thorley. "And he's
very pleasant and friendly, just like a Mifflin man."

Miss Thorley looked first surprised and then displeased and then she
frowned and shrugged her shoulders as if she did not really care
whether Mr. Jerry was there or not. She gave him rather a curt
greeting when he joined them with a cheery:

"Hullo, Mary Rose. Are you thinking of a canter in the park?"

There was nothing curt in the greeting Mary Rose gave him. She smiled
enchantingly and slipped her hand into his. "We're just watching the
ponies. Aren't they loves? Miss Thorley thinks they are too small for
her to ride, but I don't see how she can be sure unless she tries. Do
you know Mr. Jerry, Miss Thorley? He's making such a comfortable home
for George Washington. She didn't feel like painting today," she
explained to Mr. Jerry, "so we came out for a change. Oh, I do just
love that blackest pony, but no one seems to choose him!" She pointed
an eager finger to the corner where the blackest and fattest pony stood
neglected.

"Suppose you choose him. I've money to treat a lady friend to a ride."
And he made a pleasant jingle with the coins in his pocket.

"Miss Thorley invited me, but I didn't like to leave her alone. Would
you stay with her, Mr. Jerry? It would be real friendly of you to me
and the pony, for if I don't take him I'm afraid no one will, and he'll
feel so sad when he goes home tonight. Will you take good care of Miss
Thorley, Mr. Jerry?"

"I will," promised Mr. Jerry emphatically, although Miss Thorley
exclaimed hurriedly that she could take care of herself. He found a
bench from which they could watch Mary Rose as she made the black pony
happy and rode around the ring, prouder than any peacock.

"Funny kid, isn't she?" remarked Mr. Jerry, realizing that if there was
to be any conversation between them he would have to begin. "I wish
you could have seen her when she came over with her cat to ask if we
would take the beast t