Part 21 (1/2)

”I'll take care of the baggage,” said Tom. ”Just give me the checks.”

”And we've got to find a carriage to take us to Hope,” added Grace.

”All arranged,” answered Sam. ”We are going to take you up. d.i.c.k is going to take Dora in a buggy, and Tom and I are going to take you and Nellie in a two-seated. The baggage can go in a wagon behind.”

”But I thought there was a seminary stage,” began Grace.

”There is, and if you'd rather take it--”

”Oh, no! The carriage ride will be much nicer.” And Grace looked at Sam in a manner that made his heart beat much faster than before.

”Do you know, it seems awfully queer to be rich and to be going to a fine boarding school,” said Nellie. ”I declare, I'm not used to it yet. But I'm glad on papa and mamma's account, for neither of them have to work as hard as they did.”

”Papa is going to improve the farm wonderfully,” said Grace. ”He is going to put up a new barn and a carriage house and a new windmill for pumping water, and he has bought a hundred acres from the farm in the back, and added, oh, I don't know how many more cows. And we've got a splendid team of horses, and the cutest pony you ever saw. And next year he is going to rebuild the wing of the house and put on a big piazza, where we can have rocking-chairs and a hammock--”

”Yum! yum!” murmured Sam. ”The hammock for mine, when I call.”

”Built for two, I suppose,” remarked d.i.c.k dryly.

”d.i.c.k Rover!” cried Grace, and blushed,

”He'll want it for himself and Dor--” began Sam.

”Here comes Tom,” interrupted d.i.c.k hastily. ”All right about the baggage?” he asked loudly.

”All right. The trunks and cases will go to the seminary inside of an hour,” answered Tom, ”so we might as well be off ourselves. We can drive slowly, you know.”

”Well, you can go ahead and set the pace,” answered his elder brother.

The buggy and the carriage were already on hand, and soon the boys and girls were in the turnouts, and Tom drove off, with d.i.c.k following.

As they did so they saw Dudd Flockley standing near, eyeing them curiously. They had to drive close to the dudish student, who was attired in his best, and he stared boldly at Dora and the Laning girls.

”What a bold young man!” was Dora's comment after they had pa.s.sed.

”He's a student at Brill,” answered d.i.c.k. ”Not a very nice kind, either.” d.i.c.k was much put out, for he did not like any young man to stare at Dora.

Ashton was soon left behind, and carriage and buggy bowled along slowly over a country road lined on either side with trees and bushes and tidy farms. Under the trees d.i.c.k allowed his horse to drop into a walk, and managed to drive with one hand while the other found Dora's waist and held it.

”d.i.c.k, somebody might see you!” she half whispered.

”Well, I can't help it, Dora,” he answered, ”It's been such a long time since we met.”

”Yes, it seems like years and years, doesn't it?”

”And to think we've got to go through college before--before we can--”

”Yes, but d.i.c.k, isn't it splendid that we are going to be so close to each other? Why, we'll be able to meet lots of times!”

”If the seminary authorities will let you. I understand they are very strict.”