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 gra.s.s waited in the mangers.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"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.

The girls asked Maggie's mother, and she said, "Yes."

The next afternoon Mom and Dad and the girls got to see Chuck's whole herd of horses. Maggie thought the foals were sweet, even though the draft horse babies were as big as full grown riding horses.

Finally Chuck said, "Okay, Fred, let's see how you put on a horse harness."

"All right," said Dad, "but don't laugh."

Dad picked up the armload of harness and threw it on the back of a huge animal named Babe. He pushed and pulled all the straps for a few minutes. Then he stopped and looked at Chuck.

Chuck laughed and slapped his leg. "You've got it on sideways," he said.

Mom and the girls laughed too.

"You weren't supposed to laugh," said Dad with a grin.

"We couldn't help it," said Chuck. "Here let me show you how."

When the Johnsons got home, they were late with the milking. Dad said, "Maggie, I'll help you get the cows. They might be silly with those horses running with them." He picked up a bucket of oats and a bridle and set off with Maggie on his heels.

The horses came right to Dad and started eating oats. He slipped the bridle over Molly's ears, climbed on a rock, and jumped up on Molly.

"Can I ride, too?" asked Maggie.

"No, that would be too dangerous," said Dad. He clucked to Molly and they started after the cows.

Humph, thought Maggie. I'm the one who wanted a pony.

The cows started toward the barn at a fast walk. Then they broke into a trot, and the horses did too. The cows began to gallop, and the horses kicked up their heels as they joined the excitement. That's when Dad fell off.

Maggie ran toward him yelling, "Dad, are you all right?"

He was on his feet immediately, but he rubbed his shoulder. "Yeah," he said, "but I'm going to be sore tomorrow."

After her father's fall, Maggie was a little afraid to try riding again. But Dad said, "It will be okay. Molly only kicked up because she got excited."

"All right," said Maggie, "but you hang on to her."

Dad put Maggie up on Molly's back and led her around a few times.

Molly was fine.

"Show me how to steer," Maggie begged.

Dad showed her how to pull on one rein until the horse turned her head. Of course, Maggie also had to let go a little bit on the other side to make that possible. At first it was hard, because Molly's neck was so thick. The big mare ignored Maggie instead of turning.

"Kick her over in the direction you want to go," said Dad.

"No," said Maggie. "I don't want to hurt Molly."

Dad laughed and said, "Honey, you're too small to hurt that big horse.

She'll barely feel you."

So Maggie kicked and the big lazy horse turned.

Chapter Five

A few days later Maggie was riding Molly when a red car drove up.

Kelly got out and ran over. "Hi," she cried. "Oh, Maggie your horse is beautiful."

"Yes!" said Maggie. "I can ride her all by myself? Want to try it?"