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That settled it! Agnes would not listen to him any further.
Say! Ill give Dot my bicycle if youll let me go, he urged on Ruth.
Id be afraid to have her ride it, laughed Ruth. The only thing you ever did give the little girls, Sammy that goat has been a dreadful annoyance.
Give us your bulldog, Sammy? suggested Agnes, knowing that the very soul of the boy was knit to that ugly, bandy-legged beast.
Ow! groaned Sammy. He could not agree to that. I tell you Ill do anything you want me to
Stay at home, then, and dont bother us, said Ruth, somewhat tartly for her.
Aw, do say I can go, Aggie, he pleaded for the last time with the other sister.
Id like to see you find room aboard that car! cried Agnes, having finally packed the last bag and parcel in the tonneau.
At these words Sammy shot away like a rabbit and disappeared. Mrs. Heard and the little girls came out. Everybody else from the Corner House appeared to bid the party good-bye even Aunt Sarah.
Itll rain before you get far, prophesied this last person, grimly, and youll have to come back.
She would not admit that an automobile was fit to travel in during wet weather.
What have you got in that basket? demanded Agnes of Tess, suddenly pouncing upon the serious little girl.
Oh, Aggie! Only two of Sandyfaces grandchildren. You know, we havent found names for them yet.
Two kittens! gasped Agnes. What do you know about that, Ruth?
How about Billy Bumps, too? said Neale, looking perfectly sober.
Oh, he and Tom Jonah would fight, said Dot, proudly bearing her renovated Alice-doll in a brand new coat and hat. The Alice-doll really was a pleasure to
look upon once more. Only, whereas her hair had originally been dark, now it was very blonde indeed, to match her pink cheeks and blue eyes.
Of course, it isnt very respectaful, admitted the smallest Corner House girl, in speaking of the change in Alices appearance. But ladies do bleach their hair and make it blond; and Alice always did love to be fashionable.
Meanwhile Tess had been convinced by Ruth that an automobile tour was no place for two kittens. Tom Jonah was being taken along as a means of safety for the car. Agnes was quite sure herself that automobile thieves were only waiting their chance to steal this brand new motor car.
They all got into the car at last Mrs. Heard, Ruth and the two smaller girls in the tonneau, heaped about with baggage, but comfortable. Tom Jonah crouched under Agnes feet in front, where she sat beside Neale, his head sticking out of the car and his tongue displayed like a pink woolen necktie.
Everybody shouted good-bye! There were plenty of neighbors to call after the touring party. And those on the street, for the first few blocks, seemed to be greatly amazed and amused by the passage of the Corner House automobile.
Goodness! ejaculated Agnes, in some disgust, and trying to sit up primly, what do you suppose is the matter with folks, anyway? One would think we were a circus parade.
Humph! guess we do look funny, chuckled Neale. I once saw a picture supposed to represent the good ship Mayflower as she must have appeared off Plymouth Rock, if all the antique furniture you hear about really was brought over by the Pilgrims, as people claim. They had to hang chairs and tables and highboys and lowboys and such things from her spars, besides having an awful deckload. And I reckon we look like a large family on moving day, finished the boy, with an expansive grin.
We do not! exclaimed Agnes, quite put out. Look at that old gentleman stare. Whats he saying and shaking his cane, too?
Got me, returned her comrade on the front seat.
He increased the cars speed and they passed people too quickly for the latter to make themselves heard if what some of them shouted was of importance. The passing of the Corner House motor car seemed to interest and please the urchins along the way more than anybody else.
Goodness! murmured Mrs. Heard, I never was so much stared at before, I do believe. What do you suppose is the matter with us?
They must all want to ride with us, said Tess, quite composedly.
Well, they just cant! cried Dot. See that boy running and yelling, will you? Why, he cant catch up.
Once out of the city Neale (of course urgently pressed by Agnes) let her out another notch, as he expressed it. The car ran as smoothly as though the road was macadamized although few highways about Milton were so well made as that. But Neale was a careful and skillful driver already, and the springs of the car were excellent.
On and on the handsome car rushed, leaving little spirals of dust behind it, and sending the small fry of rural animal life scurrying out of its path. The peculiar interest shown by pedestrians as they passed through the town, was continued out in the country.
As Neale slowed down for a railroad crossing, taking it easily and carefully, although there was no train near and the gates were up, a boy yelled:
Hi, there! Whip behind! Whip behind, mister!
Now! how foolish that is, gasped Agnes, as they jolted a little going over the rails. What do you suppose that little imp meant?