He meant that Flyaway was of no use, but rather in the way.
"No, she needn't do any such thing," returned Dotty.

"Jump in, Fly, and sit on the bag." And off moved the gay little party, "the middle-aged sister" laughing so she could hardly push, Flyaway dancing up and down on the rag-bag, like a humming-bird balancing itself on a twig; Grace and Susy looking down from the "green chamber" window, and saying to each other, with wounded family pride, "_Should_ you think grandma would allow it ?" Out in the street the young rag-merchants were greeted by a cow lowing dismally.

Flyaway, in her rustic carriage, felt as secure as the fabled "kid on the roof of a house;" so she called out, "Don't cry, old cow; I 'shamed o' you." At this Prudy and Dotty laughed harder than ever.
"'Sh right up, old cow," said Flyaway, standing on her "tipsy-toes," and making a threatening gesture with her little arms; "'Sh right up!--O, why don't that cow mind in a minute ?" In her earnestness the little girl pushed the bag to one side, and Prudy and Dotty, shaking with laughter, tipped over the wheelbarrow.
No harm was done except to give Flyaway a dust-bath in her nice clean frock.

Just as they were struggling with the bag, to get it in again, they were overtaken by a droll-looking equipage.

It was a long house on wheels, and instantly reminded Dotty of Noah's ark.
"O, a house a-ridin'! a house a-ridin'!" exclaimed Flyaway, gazing after it with the greatest astonishment.
Dotty thought the world was going topsy-turvy.