Part 2 (1/2)

CHAPTER II

SUNNYCREST

At Hammersmith a big, old-fas.h.i.+oned carryall stood beside the station platform and behind it a light spring wagon, the two drivers standing side by side on the platform, watching the descending pa.s.sengers anxiously. The older man was Joshua Adams, the head man on grandfather's farm. Grandmother always called him Joshua, but to every one else he was Josh. His companion, Jo Perkins, a young stable boy familiarly known as ”Perk,” was new on the place since the twins' last visit, and they did not know him. They eyed him curiously as they shook hands heartily with Joshua, who was an old and long-tried friend.

”My, my, you've growed sence I see ye,” exclaimed Joshua, standing the children off and looking at them in mock amazement. ”Most big enough to be giants in a side-show.”

”Oh, shucks,” said Christopher, squirming with embarra.s.sment. ”Has Juno got any new pups?”

”Well, you have growed, 'pon my word. Now I leave it to Miss Jane if you haven't. Hain't you, Miss Jane? And you're both of you dressed different now, so 't I can tell ye apart,” he added teasingly.

Of course Joshua had seen the children many times since the day Christopher had been promoted to trousers, but he never lost a chance of reminding the boy that he had pa.s.sed through a petticoat period.

Perk felt a little bit out of this intimate party. He stood awkwardly in the background, fingering his hat and winking gravely at Christopher whenever he caught his eye. Grandfather bustled up presently, followed by the station agent wheeling the trunks on a truck, which Perk proceeded to pile on the wagon. Joshua untied the team and mounted to the front seat of the big carriage.

”Where's Nelly Gray?” asked Jane, missing the gray mare with the white star on her forehead.

”Why, Nelly, she's out to pastur' for a while. Got a nail in her foot.”

”Oh, poor horsey! How it must have hurt! Did you get it out?”

”Why of course, greeney,” interposed Christopher knowingly, ”else the horse would have died, wouldn't it, Josh?”

Jane climbed into the carriage and sat down opposite her grandparents, but Christopher hung back.

”I want to go on the wagon. Mayn't I, please?”

”Oh, yes,” consented grandfather good-naturedly, ”if you promise to sit still and not ask to drive.”

Christopher avoided Jane's reproachful look and capered off joyfully.

Jane felt hurt at being deserted by her twin so soon, but she knew that Christopher was anxious to make Perk's acquaintance.

”I s'pose boys can't help likin' other boys a little,” she reflected philosophically, and hugged her doll comfortably.

In spite of her nine years and her brother's teasing, Jane persisted in playing with dolls and had a large, well-beloved family.

”Say, I'm going to ride home with you,” announced Christopher, climbing up on the high wagon seat. ”Shall I hold the horse for you while you strap on the trunks?”

”He's. .h.i.tched,” drawled Perk with a twinkle in his eye. ”But I guess 'twon't hurt if you want to hold the lines.”

”Oh, I didn't notice that he was tied,” said Christopher, a bit crestfallen, and feeling his youth. ”I'd like to drive,” he added with reviving spirit as Perk strapped on the last trunk and mounted to his seat (swinging up over the wheel after the horse had started, to Christopher's keen envy), ”but grandfather said I mustn't ask. But I could. A friend of my father's has an automobile and he let me steer it one day, oh, a long way.”

Perk was distinctly impressed by this statement and dropped some of the patronage from his manner. Perk had never even seen an automobile.

As they drove down the length of the village street, Christopher was on the lookout for changes. It was two years since he had visited in Hammersmith, which left plenty of time for improvements. Each new building or alteration had to be remarked upon to Perk, for Christopher's tongue would never stay quiet. Jane declared once that it wagged in his sleep.

”I see somebody else has got the blacksmith's forge. Mr. Parsons used to run it.”

”Yes, but Mr. Parsons is too tony now to shoe horses. He makes wagons an' keeps summer boarders.”