She touched the velvet nose which was stretched inquisitively toward her, and then looked up and found that David was smiling. A moment later they were riding side by side down the avenue of the eucalyptus trees, and through the tall treetrunks new vistas opened rapidly about her. Every stride of Abra seemed to carry her another step into the life of David. "I should have called Shakra for you," said David, watching her with concern, "but she is ridden by another who has the right to the best in the garden." "Even Glani?" "Even Glani, save that he fears to ride my horse, and therefore he has Shakra. I am sorry, for I wish to see you together. She is like you--beautiful, delicate, and swift." She urged Abra into a shortened gallop with a touch of her heel, so that the business of managing him gave her a chance to cover her confusion. She could have smiled away a compliment, but the simplicity of David meant something more. "Peace, Abra!" commanded the master. "Oh, unmannerly colt! It would be other than this if the wise Shakra were beneath your saddle." "No, I am content with Abra. Let Shakra be for your servant." "Not servant, but friend--a friend whom Glani chose for me. Consider how fickle our judgments are and how little things persuade us. Abraham is rich in words, but his face is ugly, and I prefer the smooth voice of Zacharias, though he is less wise. I have grieved for this and yet it is hard to change. But a horse is wiser than a fickle-minded man, and when Glani went to the hand of Benjamin without my order, I knew that I had found a friend." She knew the secret behind that story, and now she looked at David with pity. "In my house you will meet Benjamin," the master was saying thoughtfully, evidently encountering a grave problem. "I have said that little things make the judgments of men! If a young horse shies once, though he may become a true traveler and a wise head, yet his rider remembers the first jump and is ever uneasy in the saddle." She nodded, wondering what lay behind the explanation. "Or if a snake crosses the road before a horse, at that place the horse trembles when he passes again." "Yes." She found it strangely pleasant to follow the simple processes of his mind. "It is so with Benjamin. At some time a woman crosses his way like a snake, and because of her he has come to hate all women. And when I started for the gate, even now, he warned me against you." The clever mind of the gambler opened to her and she smiled at the trick. "Yes, it is a thing for laughter," said David happily. "I came with a mind armed for trouble--and I find you, whom I could break between my hands." He turned, casting out his arms. "What harm have I received from you?" They had reached the head of the bridge, and even as David turned a changing gust carried to them a chorus of men's voices. David drew rein. "There is a death," he said, "in my household." _CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO_