CHAPTER XVI.
A REMARKABLE DRIVE AND WHAT FOLLOWED The number of reasons given by Mr.Bangs one after the other, to prove that it would be quite impossible for him to be Mrs.Beasley's charioteer was a credit to the resources of his invention.

The blacksmith might be back any minute; it was dinner time, and he was hungry; Henry, the horse, was tired; it wasn't a nice day for riding, and he would come over some other time and take the widow out; he--But Debby had a conclusive answer for each protest.
"You said yourself the blacksmith wouldn't be back for an hour," she observed.

"And you can leave word with the boy what he's to do when he does come.

As for dinner, I'll be real glad to give you and Miss Dorcas a snack soon's we get back.

I don't mind if it ain't a pleasant day; a little fresh air 'll do me good.