One day he brought the horse "Starlight" home covered with foam and somewhat disturbed in his temper. "There now, old boy," said Malachi, "you'll have your feed of the whitest of white oats, and be ready for another try over that wide ditch to-morrow." Malachi, as was his custom, spoke his words aloud. He was busy all the time washing down and rubbing the beautiful creature. He then took him to his stall, and said, "Good old boy, dear old boy! You'll be fit for that very wide ditch to-morrow. You funked it a bit to-day but you won't ever again. How then, eat, my mannikin, eat." "That's a lovely horse," said Reparation standing at the door. Malachi gave a start when he saw the ugly little girl. "To be sure he's a jewel, no less," was his instant rejoinder. "I'd like well to ride him, Malachi," said Reparation. "I'm tired of the old mare. She's so slow--she only crawls. I want to fly like Norah and Bridget and you on Starlight. May I ride Starlight to-morrow, Malachi?" "May you!" exclaimed Malachi. "Do I want to see yourself broken into little bits? You keep away from this horse. He's not for you." "But why not?" asked Tilly, coming into the stable now and approaching close to the animal. "Keep back, if you want to keep your features," said Malachi. "He'll kick out if he looks at you, as sure as my name is Malachi Desmond." "Why should he, Malachi?" but Tilly stepped back a pace or two as she spoke. "Why shouldn't I ride Starlight? What are you keeping him for? And you do look such a figure of fun, Malachi, dressed like an old woman with a skirt over you." "I'm training the horse for my niece," said Malachi. "He'll be ready for her long before she goes back to that place in France, drat it! There now, you'll never manage more than the mare, Tilly, and I can't stand talking to you any more. Be off and play with the gurrls. They've come in from their ride, and I am sure they are willing enough to amuse you." "Take my hand for one minute, Malachi," said Tilly. Malachi with extreme unwillingness complied and led the little girl out of the stables. He shut the door behind Starlight, who was enjoying his oats and feeling soothed and comfortable. He did not like his training at all, but afterwards there always came the wash down and the rub down and the delicious tender white oats, and he couldn't unseat Malachi, try as he would. "Is that beautiful horse really for the shopkeeper?" inquired Tilly. "It's for no shopkeeper. What on earth do ye mean? It's for my niece, the pushkeen; and I've saved up and sent for an elegant habit for her to Cork. It will arrive any day now. There, I can't talk to ye any more, ye are so downright foolish." "Come and play horses with us, Till," said Norah, who appeared at that moment. As a matter of fact Norah had been standing in the vicinity of Starlight's stable for the last few minutes, and certain words uttered by Tilly had aroused her curiosity.