“You scamp! What do you mean by playing me such a trick? I’ve tried to coax you to come close to me time and time again when I’ve been wide awake, but you choose to take me at a disadvantage while I am in the land of Nod,” and she wagged her finger at him admonishingly. Down went his head and up went his heels and tail; for a few minutes it was difficult to tell which end of him touched the ground; and no boy ever gave more pronounced demonstrations of wild delight at the success of some prank than he gave of his, as, with a final and most abandoned kick-up, he went careering over the big field. Marion, for such was the girl’s name, made no attempt to coax him to come back; well knowing that he must have his fling before settling down to more serious matters, and enjoying the spectacle most thoroughly; for the horse was a beauty and never showed to greater advantage than when enjoying his freedom in the pasture. The superb head, with its splendid eyes, delicate, pointed ears and sensitive nostrils, was held high in the air; the gracefully arched neck, with its silky, flowing mane and full throbbing veins; the dainty hoofs and slender limbs which supported the lithe, active body, appearing scarcely to touch the grass, and the long tail waving behind like a triumphal banner, all were superbly beautiful. But, masculine member of society as he was, he was somewhat of a coquette, and soon tried new fascinations. Stopping suddenly in the midst of his wild career, he walked over to the hedge with his head lowered as demurely as a young miss. When within about ten feet of it he stopped, threw up his head, and gave a loud neigh. “Now you _know_ you are only doing that for effect,” said Marion, “and I believe you just know how beautiful you look with the sun shining on your silky, sorrel coat as you stand there trying to make me believe you’re afraid, when you know perfectly well you’re not one bit. Come here, this minute; for _this_ time I’m determined to touch you if I have to crawl through the hedge to do it,” and in another moment the girl stood in the field. One dainty hoof pawed the ground and the head went up and down as though answering “yes,” but he did not advance a step. “Are you coming?” “Hoo-hoo; hoo-hoo-hoo!” “Now does that mean ‘yes’ or ‘no’?” Down went the head again. “It means ‘yes,’ does it? Well, come on, then,” and she held out her hand coaxingly. Without a sign of warning he gave a bound which landed him beside her so suddenly that it was a marvel she did not make some demonstration of fear. But she did not, and the horse, who had a novel way of doing things, instantly made up his mind that this young lady was not easily frightened; consequently he decided to behave himself, and with a soft little whinny he put his silky head into her outstretched arms and stood as quiet as a lamb.