and Mac pointed to the little Amazon pelting down the hill at such a rate . You could n't have done anything that would please me more , and I 'm delighted to see how well you ride . Now , will you mount again , or shall we turn Mac out and take you in ? '' asked Dr. Alec , as Aunt Jessie proposed a start , for the others were beckoning them to follow . `` Pride goeth before a fall better not try to show off again , ma'am , '' said Mac , who would have been more than mortal if he had refrained from teasing when so good a chance offered . `` Pride does go before a fall , but I wonder if a sprained ankle always comes after it ? '' thought Rose , bravely concealing her pain , as she answered , with great dignity , `` I prefer to ride . Come on , and see who will catch up first . '' She was up and away as she spoke , doing her best to efface the memory of her downfall by sitting very erect , elbows down , head well up , and taking the motion of the pony as Barkis cantered along as easily as a rocking-chair . `` You ought to see her go over a fence and race when we ride together . She can scud , too , like a deer when we play ` Follow the leader , ' and skip stones and bat balls almost as well as I can , '' said Mac , in reply to his uncle 's praise of his pupil . `` I 'm afraid you will think her a sad tomboy , Alec ; but really she seems so well and happy , I have not the heart to check her . She has broken out in the most unexpected way , and frisks like a colt ; for she says she feels so full of spirits she must run and shout whether it is proper or not , '' added Mrs. Jessie , who had been a pretty hoyden years ago herself . `` Good good ! that 's the best news you could tell me , '' and Dr. Alec rubbed his hands heartily . `` Let the girl run and shout as much as she will it is a sure sign of health , and as natural to a happy child as frisking is to any young animal full of life . Tomboys make strong women usually , and I had far rather find Rose playing football with Mac than puttering over bead-work like that affected midget , Ariadne Blish . '' `` But she can not go on playing football very long , and we must not forget that she has a woman 's work to do by and by , '' began Mrs. Jessie . `` Neither will Mac play football much longer , but he will be all the better fitted for business , because of the health it gives him . Polish is easily added , if the foundations are strong ; but no amount of gilding will be of use if your timber is not sound .
I 'm sure I 'm right , XXXXX ; and if I can do as well by my girl during the next six months as I have the last , my experiment will succeed . ''
Alec Amazon Barkis Blish Jessie Rose bead-work frisking rocking-chair tomboy