Page:Dapples of the Circus (1943).pdf/184

 "You bet he is, and so are you," said Mr. Williams cheerily. "You just want a few minutes to get your wind."

It seemed to Freckles that he would want a long time to get back his breath and his strength, for now that the danger was all over he was scared nearly out of his wits. He wondered how he could ever have done it. But it had been worth the effort, even if he had fainted. Sir Wilton had stuck by him when he was half dead in the wrecked train, and he had stood by the little horse. They would always stand by each other as long as Sir Wilton lived.

And he remembered with a thrill of joy that Shetlands lived in some cases for thirty or even forty years. He and Dapples would yet have joyous days.

The following noon at dinner Mr. Bingham told the story of the heroic rescue to his now sadly diminished family, as they gathered in the special dining-room which they occupied at a small hotel. While he praised Freckles's act, yet he warned his