You must wear a hat, honey; you know what mother told you--and you know mother keeps her word." "I wish dad did," the Kid commented, passing over the hat question.

"He said I could have Silver, and keep him in a box stall and feed him my own self and water him my own self and nobody's to touch him but me." "Well, if daddy said all that--we'll have to think it over, and consult Silver and see what he has to say about it." Silver, when consulted, professed at least a willingness to own the Kid for his master.

He did indeed come trotting up for sugar; and when he had eaten two grimy lumps from the Kid's grimier hand, he permitted the Kid to entice him up to a high rock, and stood there while the Kid clambered upon the rock and from there to his sleek back.

He even waited until the Kid gathered a handful of silky mane and kicked him on the ribs; then he started off at a lope, while the Kid risked his balance to cast a triumphant grin--that had a gap in the middle--back at his astonished parents.
"Look how the little devil guides him!" exclaimed Chip surrenderingly.
"I guess he's safe enough, old Silver seems to sabe he's got a kid to take care of.

He sure would strike a different gait with me! Lord how the time slides by; I can't seem to get it through me that the Kid's growing up." The Little Doctor sighed a bit.