how does emilie show her kindness to the two horses?

Emilie is a little girl who lives with her Grandfather on a farm in France; this farm is taken over by the German army as a base camp. She is tiny and frail, having been very ill, but she is cheered enormously by the arrival of Joey and Topthorn. Despite her small size, she is confident around such large animals and is chatty and talkative with them. Her kindness keeps the horses in good spirits. When the two treasured animals are called upon to leave for battle, Emilie's condition deteriorates and she passes away.