Hare-iette came bursting into the kitchen and skidded to a halt in front of me.
"Mom, please, please, please, can I go and have lunch with Joseph and Allanna? They always have grilled cheese for lunch on Wednesdays.
"What is this all about, Hare-iette? You're all excited, and I know you're not all that crazy about grilled cheese sandwiches."
"It's Christmas stuff, Mom."
That's our way of telling each other not to ask questions around the holidays.
I chuckled and said, "OK, Hare, I'll drive you up there in a few minutes." I knew Debbie wouldn't mind at all.

Hare-iette climbed onto the chair next to Allanna and started telling her about her ride on Twinkle this morning. She told how gentle and well behaved Twinkle is. She told how all the Piersall children had ridden the pony, and how well trained she is. Hare-iette kept glancing at Debbie to see if she was listening. She was. Hare-iette kept babbling about what a great pony Twinkle is and how safe she is with children.

Finally Debbie said, "I know what you are trying to do, Hare-iette, but even if that pony were for sale, she would cost a lot more than we can afford, if she is so well trained."
"But Mrs Brown, it doesn't cost anything to ask?"
"That's true, Hare-iette. Let me think about it and talk to my husband when he gets home."
Joseph and Allanna leaped out of their chairs, shouting with joy.
"Now children, I only said I'd talk to your grandfather."
"Ok, Grandma,"said Joseph, "but I can't wait for Grandpa to get home!"

Hare-iette and the children scampered off to Allanna's room to wait and worry.

About 4 pm, Mr Brown came home. Hare-iette and the children crouched in the stairway, trying to hear what Mr. and Mrs. Brown were saying. They really couldn't make out what had been decided. After a while, Mr Brown went to make a phone call and the children almost cried. If Grandpa was making business calls, it must mean that he wasn't going to consider the pony. The children returned to Allanna's room. Allanna cried and Joseph looked like he wanted to, but he was too big to cry, at least in front of two girls. Hare-iette just sat and hung her head, trying not to sob too loudly.

When Mrs Brown called the children to supper, no one wanted to eat. They dragged themselves down the stairs and into the big kitchen. Mr Brown looked at them and said, "Now children, you are going to have a chance to prove yourselves."
The children didn't understand, They simply stared at their grandfather.
"What do you mean, Grandpa," Joseph asked, not that he really cared, seeing as he wouldn't be getting a pony.
"Mr Piersall is bringing Twinkle over tomorrow."
The children skrieked, and yelled, and jumped, and danced around.
"QUIET !!!"Mr Brown bellowed.
The children fell silent.
"This is only a trial, children. We want to see if you will be able to care for the pony and handle it safely. If you can, we will buy her for you for Christmas."
Again the children skrieked, and yelled, and jumped, and danced around.

This time Mr Brown didn't yell. He just watched the children and smiled.

Hare-iette was so happy she didn't know what to do. She had pulled off her first attempt at playing Santa Claus!