"Thank you, lad, and God bless you!" He took Laddie's hand, and almost lifted him from the floor, then he wiped his glasses, gathered up his books with a big, deep breath of relief, and went into his room.

If the others had looked to see why he was gone so long, they would have seen him on his knees beside his bed thanking God, as usual.

Leon couldn't have come closer than when he said, "The same yesterday, to-day, and forever," about father.
Leon had his arms around the neck of his horse now, and he was kissing her, patting her, and explaining to Shelley just why no other horse was like her.

He was pouring out a jumble all about the oasis of the desert, the tent dwellers, quoting lines from "The Arab to His Horse," bluegrass, and gentleness combined with spirit, while Shelley had its head between her hands, stroking it and saying, "Yes," to every word Leon told her.

Then he said: "Just hop on her back from that top step and ride her to the barn, if you want to see the motion she has." Shelley said: "Has a woman ever been on her back?
Won't she shy at my skirts ?" "No," explained Leon.