After breakfast the next morning Dad said, "I'm going to let the
horses out in the barnyard. I want to see how they get along with the
cows. Coming, Maggie?"
"Yes," she said and followed him.
Dad told Maggie to open the barn door while he untied the horses.
Molly charged out and stopped to look around. Polly was right at
Molly's heels and ran into her. Both horses pranced around the
barnyard with nostrils flaring.
Polly's head went up, and she slid to a stop. Her ears pointed at the
cows standing by the water tank. Polly blew air through her nose. She
turned to "talk things over" with Molly. Both horses trotted towards
the cows.
The cows looked worried, and then they galloped off. All the animals
ran for awhile, but soon they stopped to stare at each other.
"What if they go through a fence?" Maggie worried.
"I don't think they will," said Dad. "But you stay here and watch them
while I clean the barn."
Maggie watched until all the animals settled down.
* * * * *
That afternoon Mom went to get groceries. She dropped Maggie in town
at her friend Kelly's house. The girls didn't see each other much
during the summer, and Maggie was excited.
When Kelly opened the door, she squealed, "Maggie, wait until you see
what Dad made for me."
The girls raced up to Kelly's room, and Kelly showed Maggie a small
wooden stable. "See, it has box stalls, places to hang bridles and
saddles, and even hay." Sure enough Easter-basket grass waited in the
mangers.
[Illustration]
"Wow," said Maggie. "I love it." She dropped to her knees and said,
"We've got something new at our house too."
"A pony?" asked Kelly.
"No," said Maggie. "Something much bigger. Dad bought two big work
horses."
"Really?" said Kelly. "What are their names?"
"Polly and Molly," Maggie reported. "They're golden brown with blond
manes and tails."
"Neat," said Kelly. "Maybe we can each ride one."
"Maybe," said Maggie. "At least Dad thinks so."
"When can I see them?" Kelly wondered.
"Well, not tomorrow," said Maggie. "Dad is taking us to visit the farm
where our horses came from. Want to come along?"
"Sure," said Kelly.