"I want both my little girls to be well mounted, and to ride every day." He motioned to a card hanging from Lad's bridle, and, leaning over, Lloyd read aloud, "For Betty from Papa Jack." Betty could hardly realise her good fortune.
"Is he really mine ?" she insisted, "the same as Tarbaby is Lloyd's ?" "Really yours, and just the same," answered Mr.Sherman, holding out his hand to help her mount.
She tried to thank him, tried to tell him how happy the gift had made her, but words could not measure either her gratitude or her pleasure.

He read them both, however, in her happy face.

As he swung her into the saddle, she leaned forward, saying, "I want to whisper something in your ear, Mr.
Sherman." As he bent his head she whispered, "Thank you for writing Papa Jack on the card.

That made me happier than anything else." "That is what I want you to call me always now, my little daughter," he answered, kissing her lightly on the cheek.

"Locust is your home now, and you belong to all of us.