Mr.Enderby was already in the saddle, and Mark's pony was waiting beside him at the door.

Mark, who loved a ride, especially in company with his father, at once vaulted on the pony's back and was soon trotting out of the gates, laughing and chatting with his papa.

He had completely forgotten Hetty, and the pegs, and the cord that had to be held taut till he should come back.
In the meantime Hetty was standing just where he had left her, looking in the direction from which he was to return.

A quarter of an hour passed, and her finger and thumb, which held the string exactly as Mark had directed, were a little stiff.

Another quarter passed, and lest the cord should relax she changed it from one hand to the other.
"Jack must have gone out," she thought, "and Mark is waiting for him.