Page:Dapples of the Circus (1943).pdf/60

 of trying conditions, and even then he always accompanied them on the black horse.

By degrees the careful groom educated the children in driving both in the saddle and in the cart. After about a month he felt sure that he could trust both children and pony. Then it was a very common sight to see the Homesdale children driving about the country in their shining phaeton drawn by their shiny dappled bay Shetland.

It is a question whether the children were prouder of the small horse or he of his charges. They praised and petted him and showed him to all the children for miles around, yet it is equally certain that he always held his head high and stepped off like a thoroughbred, never disappointing his trainer, old Jerry, with either his style or work.

Finally, in the autumn when the country fairs were being held Jerry conceived the idea of making a trick pony of Dapples