"
"I was his dearest friend," went on the horse. "He told me all about
his troubles, and showed me all his new things; and he used to learn
his lessons sitting on my back. When he had a piece of cake he used to
push a bit in through the hole in my neck, and rock me to make it drop
into my stomach."
"Oh! then the hole has been there a long time."
"Yes; Robbie made it to feed me through; those other boys only put
buttons and marbles in, and old nails. Robbie always gave me a bit of
cake with the biggest plum in it. When he was ill he asked for me, and
the mother had me put by the bedside, and I watched him night and day.
His little hand grew so thin and pale, and he used to slip it out from
under the quilt to stroke me."
"There! your tail's in now," cried Basil. "So now I will see if I can
get the stirrup off the drawer; then I'll sponge you a bit."
"If you could only make me look nice they would send me back for
Robbie's boy, and I should see Robbie again before I die. You are a
kind little boy, and Robbie will love you."
"Tell me some more. You look ever so much better already," said Basil,
tugging away at the stirrup. "And I dare say when you get back to
Robbie he will have you painted up, and then you will feel just like
you used to feel."
"Yes," said the old horse; "he will have me done up like new, and he
will tell his little boy to love me for his sake, and all my happy days
will begin again.
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