Part 41 (2/2)
The horses stopped. Kent leaned forward.
”Going?” he repeated. ”Why, I was going after you, of course. Are you wet through?”
He seemed somewhat irritated, so the captain thought.
”No, indeed,” replied Elizabeth. ”I am all right. But why did you come after me? Didn't they tell you I was with Cap'n Kendrick?”
”_They_ told me--yes. But why didn't _you_ tell me you were going to Orham? I would have driven you over; you know I would.”
”You were at work at the store.”
”Well, I could have taken the afternoon off.... But there! no use talking about it out here in this rain. Come on.... Oh, wait until I turn around. Drive ahead a little, will you?”
This was the first time he had spoken to Sears, and even then his tone was not too gracious. The captain drove on a few steps, as requested, and, a moment later, Kent's equipage, now headed in their direction, was alongside once more.
”Whoa!” he shouted, and both horses stopped. ”Come on, Elizabeth,” urged the young man, briskly. ”Wait, I'll help you.”
He sprang out of his buggy and approached theirs. ”Come on,” he said, again. ”Quick! It is going to rain harder.”
Elizabeth did not move. ”But I'm not going with you, George,” she said quietly.
He stared at her.
”Not going with me?” he repeated. ”Why, of course you are. I've come on purpose for you.”
”I'm sorry. You shouldn't have done it. You knew I would be all right with Cap'n Kendrick.”
”I didn't even know you were going with him. You didn't say you were going at all. If you had I----”
”You would have taken another afternoon's holiday. And you know what Mr.
Ba.s.sett said about the last one.”
”I don't care a--I don't care what he says. I shan't be working very long for him, I hope.... But there, Elizabeth! Come on, come on! I can get you home for supper while that old horse of Cahoon's is thinking about it.”
But still she did not move. Sears thought that, perhaps, he should take a hand.
”Go right ahead, Elizabeth,” he said. ”George is right about the horses.”
”Of course I am. Come, Elizabeth.”
”No, I shall stay with Cap'n Kendrick. He has been kind enough to take me so far and we are almost home. You can follow, George, and we'll get there together.”
”Well, I like that!” exclaimed Kent. But he did not speak as if he liked it. ”After I have taken the trouble----”
”Hus.h.!.+ Don't be silly. The cap'n has taken a great deal of trouble, too.... No,” as Sears began to protest, ”you can't get rid of me, Cap'n Kendrick.”
”But, Elizabeth----”
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