It was the months to come, when Satan gained in weight and strength, that bothered Alec.

And if Henry didn’t get back, couldn’t get back for two months, what was he to do? Alec had made an agreement with his father and would be held to it. Neither his father nor his mother would understand why he couldn’t leave the colt in Tony’s care. Nor did he want to tell them.

His father had gone through with his end of the bargain, just as he’d said he would. The registration papers had been sent to the Jockey Club after Doctor Hancock had examined the colt and found him sound. Luckily, Satan had kept still under Alec’s firm hand that day, and the doctor, who was a good friend of his father, had been impressed. “You’ve got a good piece of horseflesh there, Alec,” he had said as they left the barn. “A mighty good piece.”

It was well that it had turned out that way, Alec thought, for he was sure Hancock had mentioned the same thing to his dad.

The application blanks for an owner’s license, which Alec had also picked up at the Jockey Club, had been filled out by his father and mailed. And the bill of sale had been notarized the following day. Yes, Alec admitted, his dad had gone through with it all in his punctual, methodical way. He’d even done a good job, obviously, of breaking the news to Alec’s mother, for although her face had borne a strained, gaunt look during the days immediately following the talk between Alec and his father, she had only cautioned Alec to be careful.

Alec rose to his feet and Sebastian looked up, waiting. He had to keep his side of the agreement, too, Alec told himself, for he was more than grateful for everything his father had done. There was no backing out now, even if it meant Tony’s taking care of the colt until Henry arrived. But would Tony do it? Alec realized how terribly afraid Tony was of Satan.

Knowing that the huckster would be returning soon from his rounds, Alec picked up his hammer and tool box and made his way from the hollow, Sebastian barking at his heels.

He was still a good distance away from the barn when he saw Napoleon turn into the driveway. Tony was sitting on top of the wagon, holding the long reins. Alec whistled, and Napoleon raised his large gray head and whinnied.

Tony had Napoleon unharnessed and was leading him toward the barn door when Alec reached them.

“I’ma glad you are here, Aleec,” Tony said with great relief. “I no like to go in alone with heem there.”

“He’s in his stall, Tony,” Alec reminded him.

“Sì, I know,” Tony replied, shaking his head. “But he mak’a such a fuss. He no like Napoleon or Tony. We just walka by and he shows da teeth. An’ beeg ones he has, Aleec, for such a leetle fella. Heesa no good, Aleec.” Then as he saw Alec’s gaze fall, he added quickly in a more patronizing tone, “But he will be, Aleec. Heesa not used to Nappy and Tony yet, but soon everything will be what you call hunkey dokey.”

Tony’s gaze followed Sebastian as the dog elusively ran between Napoleon’s legs. “Sì! Looka da Sebastian. Already he forget to be afraid.”

“I’d like him to be a little more careful, though,” Alec said. “I have to tie him up whenever I take Satan out or he’d be under the colt’s legs again. Here, Seb,” he called, grabbing the puppy. “I’d better take care of you now.”

Alec clipped the leash to the dog’s collar, and then tied him to a hook on the side of the barn.

“You take da colt out now?” Tony asked, when Alec returned. And when the boy nodded, Tony said, “We go in first then, heh, Napoleon.”

As they entered the barn, Satan raised his small head over the stall door, uttered a short, piercing whistle, then withdrew inside the stall and was still.

Tony heaved a heavy sigh. “I’ma glad he no want to see us,” he said. “When he keepsa looking at me it makes me feela funny inside.”

Alec didn’t reply.