Even the nervous switching of her
tail was eloquent of pleasure. Meanwhile the owner showed his
white teeth in a smile.
"Good morning," said Mrs. Austin.
Law lifted his hat in a graceful salute as he approached around
the edge of the pool, his spurs jingling musically. The mare
followed.
"You have a fine horse, there."
"Yes'm. Her and me get along all right. I hope we didn't wake you,
ma'am."
"No. I was too tired to sleep well."
"Of course. I heard you stirring about during the night." Law
paused, and the mare, with sharp ears cocked forward, looked over
his shoulder inquisitively. "Tell the lady good morning, Bessie
Belle," he directed. The animal flung its head high, then stepped
forward and, stretching its neck, sniffed doubtfully at the
visitor.
"What a graceful bow!" Mrs. Austin laughed. "You taught her that,
I presume."
"Yes'm! She'd never been to school when I got her; she was plumb
ignorant. But she's got all the airs of a fine lady now. Sometimes
I go without sugar, but Bessie Belle never does."
"And you with a sweet tooth!"
The Ranger smiled pleasantly. "She's as easy as a rockin'-chair.
We're kind of sweethearts.
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