Free Pit Pony by Joyce Barkhouse

Simon had gone, John said, “I suppose you and Simon will be great friends, now.”
    Willie laughed. “You s’pose wrong, But you won’t have to beat him up now, John. He won’t bother me no more.”
    â€œI bet he won’t,” said John.
    Willie pushed his porridge bowl away. “I wish’t I could see Gem,” he said.
    â€œYou couldn’t go down, even if you were well. The mine is always closed for at least three days after an explosion. They have to make sure it’s safe,” said John.
    Willie stood up. He still felt dizzy and weak. He went over to the couch to lie down, just as another knock came on the door.
    This time it was Ned Hall. He shook snow from his cap and hung it on a peg. He gave Nellie his wide smile. Then he drew up a chair beside Willie.
    â€œHow’re you feelin’, b’y?”
    â€œFine,” said Willie.
    â€œI’ve got some big news for you, Willie. Think you can stand it?”
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œSome of it is good — and some of it is very bad.”
    â€œIs it about Gem?”
    Ned’s face was sad. “Yes, b’y.”
    Willie thought his heart would stop beating. “Is she dead?”
    Ned nodded. “She didn’t survive the accident, Willie. She was crushed in the rock fall. But she was a great horse. I think she saved your life, and Simon’s, too.”
    Willie gave a great cry. “She’s dead! Why couldn’t I die, too? I want to be dead!”
    â€œNo,” said Ned. With one big, hard hand he pushed Willie back on the couch. “Listen to me, b’y. Listen, Willie. I have some good news.”
    Willie put his hands over his ears. Tears streamed down his face. “Nothin’ is good! I don’t want to hear it!”
    Ned pulled one of Willie’s hands away. “Yes, you do, Willie. Because, in a way, Gem ain’t dead. Somethin’ wonderful happened last night. Somethin’ that never happened in the Ocean Deeps Mine before.”
    Willie shut his eyes and lay back, sobbing. Ned kept on talking.
    â€œRemember how Stubby teased you about Gem’s fat belly? He feels some foolish now! He never guessed, but Gem really was pregnant. She lived long enough to give birth, after we dug her out.”
    Nellie came over to the couch to comfort Willie. She lifted his head against her shoulder. “Do you mean Gem had a baby? Honest?” she asked.
    â€œYes. There’s a wee, live foal. He looks all the world like his mother. Same colour. Same blaze on his nose.”
    Willie said, “I don’t b’lieve you.”
    â€œIt’s true, Willie, In a few days you’ll see the foal for yourself.”
    Willie stared at him. His body still shuddered with the last of his sobs. He couldn’t sort out his thoughts.
    After a while he said, “Gem’s baby.... What will happen to the foal?”
    Ned patted Willie’s shoulder. “Well ... that I don’t know. It belongs to the Company, a’course. You get better fast, and we’ll go down to see him in a few days.”
    Nellie said, “You go to sleep now, Willie. Doctor’s orders.”
    Ned pushed back his chair, and Nellie covered her brother with an old afghan.
    â€œTry not to grieve, Willie,” she said. “Try not to think about Gem. Think about the little foal, instead.”
    â€œI don’t want that foal to grow up to be a pit pony,” Willie murmured.
    He closed his eyes.
    From her rocking chair, his grandmother began to sing an old Gaelic lullaby. Nellie put her flatirons on the stove to heat and began to sort and fold clean laundry. John and Ned sat at the table and sorted dry beans for baking. They talked together in low voices. The room was warm and safe and comfortable. Willie fell asleep.
    When he awakened, the little girls had come home from school. They were talking about Gem’s foal.
    â€œIt has to have a name. I think