at the head of the lane, fixing the drill for
the wheat sowing.

[Illustration: "Bobby felt happy and grand. Prince felt happy and
grand"]

"I can ride as well as John or Sue," thought Bobby. "I'll show Father I
can."

Up and down, up and down, he bounded as Prince trotted along.

Prince was enjoying it too.

"I'll give Bobby a good ride," he thought. And he arched his neck and
trotted proudly up the lane.

Bobby felt happy and grand.

Prince felt happy and grand.

Now along the sides of the lane, there were thistle patches; and in one
place near the head of the lane, there was a low stone pile with
thistles growing up between the stones.

Bobby always kept away from thistle patches when he was barefoot.

They had gotten almost to the head of the lane, when Prince began to
trot faster. Bobby bounded up and down higher than ever, his bare feet
hitting the horse's sides at every step.

And then, the first thing he knew, he began to slide off.

"Whoa! whoa!" he shouted.

He grabbed a piece of the harness and tried to hold on, but at every
step Prince took he slid farther.

"Whoa! whoa!" he shouted again.

Prince slowed up, but it was too late. He turned his head just in time
to see Bobby tumble to the ground. Then he stopped stock still.

Down on the stones and the thistles Bobby fell.

This was bad enough, but then he rolled against Prince's hind foot, a
little stunned by the fall.

Father saw Bobby fall and ran toward him, thinking as he ran, "Oh, what
if Prince steps on Bobby or kicks him?"

And Father ran faster than he had ever run before.

But there Prince stood and kept his foot as still as still could be,
until Father came and pulled Bobby away. Then Prince started on to the
barn.

"Are you hurt?" asked Father.

"Not much," replied Bobby, as he rubbed his bruises.

Father helped him get the thistles out of his bare feet and legs. There
were sixteen.

"That was a grand ride, though," said Bobby.

They went to the barn together and came up to Prince at the
watering-trough.

Father took Prince's face in his two hands and in his kindest voice
said, "You are a wonderful horse, Prince. Thank you for being careful of
my Bobby. You shall have some extra oats to-day."

When Sue was told about it, she found another blue ribbon and tied it on
Prince's bridle.

[Illustration: THE BIG SOUTH WINDOW]

XIV

Mother's favorite place in all the house was by the big window in the
sitt