As the girls seated themselves for lunch, Mother hurried in, “Have you heard?” she said, “Two of Mr. Lee’s thoroughbred mares have been stolen.”
Chapter One
If you trudged slowly along a quiet lane, deep in the stillness of the countryside, you would come upon a small wooden gate, on which is nailed a large sign, which reads, “Morningside Farm”.
If curious enough to slip inside, you would find yourself in a small paddock, with an occasional tree to shade the contented animals, living within. Peer further, and you would see a tiny cottage, surrounded by sweet scented rose bushes.
The cottage has a beautiful creeper in full bloom, reaching about its old wooden walls. A goat wanders about the cottage, snatching greedily at the sweet grass. She supplies milk for the farm cats and dogs, who look forward to a drink of rich goat’s milk, each night and morning. In the clear atmosphere of the cottage, which is made up of two bedrooms, a kitchen and a general living room, two children sleep peacefully.
As the sun begins its long journey across the sky, one of the youngsters opens one eye, sleepily, then immediately opens the other as she spies the sun, and remembers that she had promised Mother and Dad breakfast in bed. She slipped quietly out of bed, so as not to wake her twin, donned a light blouse and trousers, then sped out to the kitchen and began to prepare breakfast. When she finally arrived at her parent’s room, she knocked on the door and a sleepy voice said, “Come in.” Tessa walked gaily in and passed the tray to Mother.
“Oh, thank you Tess,” said Mother “I am getting rather hungry.”
“Now you go and get yours, Tess,” said Father.
“I had mine whilst preparing yours,” replied Tessa, leaving the room. She arrived at the kitchen to find Patsy was up, had made the beds and was now collecting the billy to go and milk the goat.
“I’m going to milk Nan,” called Pat, cheerfully, “It’s alright, Puss, you’ll have a drink in a minute,” she continued.
“I’ll have your breakfast ready when you come back,” yelled Tessa. Patsy and Tessa went about their usual daily chores, and then later saddled their ponies, Moonlight and Starlight, and made for the wide rolling hills, where Father grazed his cherished sheep.
Chapter Two
Beyond the home paddocks, was a vast area of rolling hills. This was where the girls were now making for. They often rode out to see that the fences were secure and that Father’s sheep were all well. Many young lambs were romping about in the bright sunlight, and were curious to see the horses. They came quite close, while anxious mothers called frantically. The girls had never gone further than the sheep pastures, and Patsy, who was always wanting to explore the mysterious woods beyond the gate, said “Shall we go on and explore the woods?”
“Oh yes, lets,” cried Tessa excitedly, “Come on.”
Away they went at a hard gallop, and in a few minutes they reached the gate. Patsy got off to open it, but before they could go through and away out of sight, Father came into view on his thoroughbred mare, Sally. Sally neighed loudly to the children’s ponies.
There was no mistaking that familiar sound, so the disappointed children turned and cantered back.
“Oh Dad, can’t we go,” moaned poor Patsy.
“Certainly not,” replied Father sternly. “You could get lost in that bush. It’s frightfully thick for two young rascals like you to explore alone. Maybe some time I’ll go with you. Now come on and we’ll have a last look at the sheep.”
Rather crestfallen, the two girls accompanied their Father round the sheep.
Going along the lane towards home. Tessa said, “When could we go, Dad? Please may we take a picnic lunch and go by ourselves tomorrow? We promise to be careful and not get lost.”
“I’ll think about it,” he replied, thoughtfully.
The twins exchanged hopeful glances. They passed into the home paddock and silently rubbed the ponies down and then walked them round to cool off.
As Patsy let her beloved pony free she whispered, “You’d better keep your fingers crossed, old girl, I’d love to explore those woods tomorrow.”
Chapter Three
As the girls seated themselves for lunch, Mother hurried in, “Have you heard?” she said, “Two of Mr. Lee’s thoroughbred mares have been stolen.”
“Oh no,” cried the children, and rushed outside to listen to Father and Mr. Lee, talking.
“Bonzo was sure to beat Vampire in the race next week,” said Mr. Lee.
“What about the other one?” asked Father.
“Oh, Taffy, she is due to foal any day now, poor old girl, I suppose the thief intends to sell them. They’re worth a lot of money.”
The girls went back inside.
“Oh gosh, the poor things,” said Patsy. They talked the matter over, very excitedly, all through lunch.
“Wish we could find the horses,” said Tessa, hopefully.
“We might,” mumbled Patsy, over a mouthful of bread and butter, plentifully smothered with honey.