When I got down the ladder and where I could see, they were so rested they were hiking across the cornfield like they never had raced a step before; and as the clamour went up behind me, that probably meant the first fox had lost its beautiful red and white skin, they reached our woods in safety.

The doors went shut easier, and I started to the house crying like any blubbering baby; but when mother turned from the east window, and I noticed her face, I forgot the foxes.
"You saw Leon!" I cried.
"That I did!" she exulted, rocking on her toes the same as she does at the Meeting House when she is going to cry, "Glory!" any minute.

"That I did! Ah! the brave little chap! Ah! the fine fellow!" Her cheeks were the loveliest pink, and her eyes blazed.

I scarcely knew her.
"What will father say ?" "If his father isn't every particle as proud of him as I am this day, I've a big disappointment coming," she answered.

"If Mr.Pryor chose to let him take that fine horse, and taught him how to ride it, father should be glad." "If he'd gone into the creek, you wouldn't feel so fine." "Ah! but he didn't! He didn't! He stuck to the saddle and sailed over in one grand, long sweep! It was fine! I hope--to my soul, I hope his father saw it!" "He did!" I said.