| 489 | 490 | 491 | 492 | 493 |
| 1 | 133 | 265 | 398 | 530 |
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the stable, of all places in the world? Why, since Kit has been away,
the pony would take his food from nobody but her, and Barbara, you
see, not dreaming that Christopher was there, and just looking in, to
see that everything was right, has come upon him unawares. Blushing
little Barbara!
It may be that Kit has caressed the pony enough; it may be that there
are even better things to caress than ponies. He leaves him for
Barbara at any rate, and hopes she is better. Yes. Barbara is a great
deal better. She is afraid - and here Barbara looks down and blushes
more - that he must have thought her very foolish. 'Not at all,' says
Kit. Barbara is glad of that, and coughs - Hem! - just the slightest
cough possible - not more than that.
What a discreet pony when he chooses! He is as quiet now as if he
were of marble. He has a very knowing look, but that he always has.
'We have hardly had time to shake hands, Barbara,' says Kit. Barbara
gives him hers. Why, she is trembling now! Foolish, fluttering
Barbara!
Arm's length? The length of an arm is not much. Barbara's was not a
long arm, by any means, and besides, she didn't hold it out straight,
but bent a little. Kit was so near her when they shook hands, that he
could see a small tiny tear, yet trembling on an eyelash. It was natural
that he should look at it, unknown to Barbara. It was natural that
Barbara should raise her eyes unconsciously, and find him out. Was it
natural that at that instant, without any previous impulse or design,
Kit should kiss Barbara? He did it, whether or no. Barbara said 'for
shame,' but let him do it too - twice. He might have done it thrice, but
the pony kicked up his heels and shook his head, as if he were
suddenly taken with convulsions of delight, and Barbara being
frightened, ran away - not straight to where her mother and Kit's
mother were, though, lest they should see how red her cheeks were,
and should ask her why. Sly little Barbara!
When the first transports of the whole party had subsided, and Kit
and his mother, and Barbara and her mother, with little Jacob and
the baby to boot, had had their suppers together - which there was no
hurrying over, for they were going to stop there all night - Mr Garland
called Kit to him, and taking him into a room where they could be
alone, told him that he had something yet to say, which would
surprise him greatly. Kit looked so anxious and turned so pale on
hearing this, that the old gentleman hastened to add, he would be
agreeably surprised; and asked him if he would be ready next morning
for a journey.
'
For a journey, sir!' cried Kit.
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