You could always tell by the set of her lips and the light in her eyes.
Just this side of Groveville we passed a man on horseback.

He took off his hat and drew his horse to one side when Laddie and the Princess rode toward him.

He had a big roll of papers under his arm, to show that he had been for his mail.

But I knew, so did Laddie and the Princess, that he had been compelled to saddle and ride like mad, to reach town and come that far back in time to watch us pass; for it was the Princess' father, and WATCH was exactly what he was doing; he wanted to see for himself.

Laddie and the Princess rode straight at him, neck and neck, and then both of them made their horses drop on their knees and they waved a salute, and then they were up and away.
Of course father and mother saw, so mother bowed, and father waved his whip as we passed.