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He would not ride for those horrid people who were crowding all the seats in front, those horrid, terrible people who seemed to rise from the floor to the ceiling. He did not care anything about those faces, those cruel, staring eyes, those smiling lips; but he did care for Diana. He would ride his best for her. "Steady, G'eased Lightning," said the little girl; "you's to be good horse, 'member.
"No; I is going to slash the whip. Come, G'eased Lightning; twot, twot, p'ease." The horse began to amble gently forward. Little Diana went and stood by Uncle Ben's side. "I's managing," she said; "you shall have whip to-night; but I's managing now." The other performers stood round in breathless silence. Orion kept his seat manfully. Greased Lightning was as gentle as a lamb.
I'll wide Pole Star, and Orion, he'll wide G'eased Lightning, only now, Uncle Ben, is you listening?" "Yes, to be sure I am, missy," said Uncle Ben, taking another deep draught from his big glass of stout. "What's the 'only, little miss?" "Let's pertend," said Diana. "Pretend what, missy?" "That after Orion has done it, after he has wode G'eased Lightning, he may go 'way." "Go away, missy?"
"You don't mean it?" he said, when Diana had said some very energetic words in a low voice. "Yes, I does. Does I say things I doesn't mean? I means it twuly, twuly. You wide G'eased Lightning, and then then it'll all be over." "Oh, I really think I can, if you are quite sure," said Orion. His little face brightened up, two fever spots came into his cheeks; his eyes shone.
I has got to wide G'eased Lightning. I love G'eased Lightning. Don't know why you is fwightened of him." "But I am to ride Pole Star, and he's worse than Greased Lightning," replied Orion. "Well, you listen to me," said Diana, speaking in a very firm and authoritative voice. "See, I am eating up my supper, and you had best have some with me.
He said I was too young yet, you know; but I aren't fwightened," she added. "I don't mind a bit sitting on the back of G'eased Lightning. But what a funny name!" "Right you are!" said the man. "You shall have your ride. I can see that you have plenty of pluck, young 'un. Come along, then, little missy. Tom, you go and bring out Greased Lightning this minute."
"Well, missy, you are a very wise little miss for your age." "What I think is this," repeated Diana. "Let Orion wide G'eased Lightning and let me wide Pole Star." "But you can do anything with Greased Lightning," said the man. "Why, the 'orse fairly loves you, and Pole Star's a rare and wicious sort of beast." "I aren't fwightened; that aren't me," said Diana, in her usual proud, confident tone.
"Now, G'eased Lightning, you has got to be a good horse," said Diana, speaking to him in a confiding voice. "You isn't to fwighten Orion; 'member he's a giant, and it's a gweat honor for you to carry him, 'cos most times he lives up in the stars." "Come, missy, we have no time for that sort of nonsense," said Uncle Ben, who began to get impatient. "Give me back my whip."
"Only that silly boy won't ride Greased Lightning. He won't even stand on the 'orse, let alone leap through the rings and the balloons." "Is that all?" said Diana, her eyes gleaming. "But I can do all that; I can do all that beautiful. Dear G'eased Lightning!" She unclasped Orion's arms from her neck and trotted across the stage. She ran up to the great chestnut and began to stroke its nose.
"I'll stand on my two foots if you'll hold G'eased Lightning k'ite still." "Woe! stay quiet this minute," said the man to the horse. The pretty creature instantly obeyed, and little Diana, nothing loath, scrambled on to her small feet. The horse moved gently forward, and the little child managed to keep her balance.
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