About nine o'clock
As soon as she heard their voices , the little brown pony would come running to them and eat out of their hands , always being very careful not to nip their fingers . Then she would poke her nose into Johnnie Jones 's pockets to see if there were anything hidden away , that was good to eat . She was so sweet tempered and gentle that she would let the children do anything with her that pleased them , and often romped with Johnnie Jones like a big dog . About nine o'clock , Sam , the hired man , would hitch Fanny to a small cart , and Johnnie Jones would take Mother , or Maggie , and Little Brother , for a drive . Johnnie Jones could both drive and ride so very well that he was often allowed to go out with Fanny quite alone . One morning , after he had taken the others home , he started to the village shop to buy some butter . On the road he met a boy named Charley , who asked to go with him .