Little Eddy Carroll, running on his slim legs like a hound, raced down the homeward road, and came in sight of his father's carriage just before it turned the corner.

Carroll had stopped once on the way, and so the boy overtook him.

When Carroll stopped to make an inquiry, he caught a glimpse of the small, flying figure in the rear; in fact, the man to whom he spoke pointed this out.
"Why, there's your boy, now, Cap'n Carroll," he said, "runnin' as fast after you as you be after him." The man was an old fellow of a facetious turn of mind who had done some work on Carroll's garden.
Carroll, after that one rapid, comprehensive glance, said not another word.

He nodded curtly and sprang into the carriage; but the old man, pressing close to the wheel, so that it could not move without throwing him, said something in a half-whisper, as if he were ashamed of it.
"Certainly, certainly, very soon," replied Carroll, with some impatience.
"I need it pooty bad," the old man said, abashedly.
"Very soon, I tell you," repeated Carroll.

"I cannot stop now." The old man fell back, with a pull at his ancient cap.