For a moment Alec gazed at Blue Bonnet, dumb with amazement. Then he took a step toward her apologetically. "I beg your pardon," he said slowly. "I beg your pardon, Blue Bonnet. Not for striking Chula. She needed what I gave her; but for losing my temper. I'm sorry." Blue Bonnet, still trying to smooth out the mark on Chula's shoulder, answered not a word. There was an awkward silence for a moment, and then she suggested that the party move on. "Will you lend me your hand, Knight?" she said. "I don't believe I can mount alone this time." There was a protest from all the young people. "Blue Bonnet! You're surely not going to ride Chula again to-day! You can't! You're all unstrung! She may run again; you really must not." "Your hand, please, Knight," Blue Bonnet insisted calmly. Alec stepped forward and took Chula's bridle. At his touch the mare shied, almost jerking the reins from his hands. Blue Bonnet snatched the bridle and turned on Alec. "Will you leave my horse alone, please?" she said angrily. "You see, she hates your touch!" It was Kitty who strove to heal the breach. "Don't be ridiculous, Blue Bonnet! Chula got just what was coming to her. She might have killed you; throwing you like that--" "She didn't throw me, Kitty Clark! You don't know what you're talking about! Knight, are you going to help me, or not? If you aren't, I can mount from that log over there." Knight came forward hesitatingly. "Really," he said, "I think you are very unwise, Blue Bonnet. The mare is excited yet; she might--" "You don't understand, Knight. There is a reason why I _must_ ride Chula--_now, this very minute_. I am not at all nervous--see?" She held out a cool, steady hand and Knight took it for an instant in his own. "You're game, all right," he answered. "Here goes, then." He lifted her into the saddle and she took up the reins firmly. For the second time she had conquered an abiding fear. The remainder of the ride was a sad failure. Blue Bonnet felt it as she tried to entertain Knight, who kept close to her side. Alec rode with Kitty; but his eyes scarcely left Chula, who was behaving quite decently now that her frolic was over. Kitty tried to interest Alec with stories of her Boston trip; the dinner for the Lambs; the gay theatre party; but all she got for her effort was a mere occasional, "You don't say," or "That was fine, now, wasn't it?" Finally, in exasperation, Kitty rebelled. "Forget it, Alec," she said. "That was only one of Blue Bonnet's flashes. She adores Chula, and she knew she was only playing. You did give the horse a bad cut, though. She needed it, nevertheless. I don't see how Blue Bonnet ever escaped breaking her neck, falling like that!" To all of which Alec made no answer, except to suggest that they ride on and select a place for lunch.