“Oh, dear!  Does your mother know how silly I have been?  Who could have told her?”

“Never mind, Dexie.  She knows you won’t come back as naughty as you went out.  She felt sure of that.”

“Lancelot Gurney!  Did you take me out on purpose—­on purpose to make me change my mind?  Well, well! how eagerly I ran into the trap that was set to catch me,” and a smothered laugh rang out on the frosty air.

“All’s well that ends well, you know.  Your father was in despair when your Aunt Jennie could not manage you, so he turned you over to us.  Since I have proved myself so capable, that ought to speak well for me in the future, eh, Dexie?” and he smiled mischievously into her eyes.  “But I’m not quite sure of you yet, Dexie.  Give me your word that you will whistle to-night—­honor bright, mind.”

“Yes, honor bright, Lancy.  I’ll whistle, or try to, if they don’t hiss me when I begin.  Now, turn back, and let us get home as quickly as possible; there will be a lot of humble pie waiting for me.  I may as well eat it and have it done with.  I feel worse to meet your mother than all the rest.”

“You forget that I have an errand at the Four-Mile House.  That will give us a chance to get warmed, and then for a wild drive home.”

When they arrived at the hotel they were glad to find the parlor vacant, for they could monopolize the fire that burned so brightly in the grate, besides enjoying the liberty of free speech.

“You may as well lay aside your wraps, Dexie, as we will not start for home for half an hour,” said Lancy, as he returned from an interview with the landlord.

When the sleigh was again brought to the door, there was a triumphant look in Lancy’s face that contrasted well with the rosy cheeks of his companion.

“We will have the wind in our faces going home, Dexie, so be sure and wrap up your mouth and throat.  It will never do to spoil your whistle after all.  I tell you what, Dexie,” he added, as he helped her adjust the fleecy scarf, “I feel myself quite a diplomatist, and I shall claim remuneration for this afternoon’s work.  Do you know what will square the bill?”

“Possibly I may guess your terms, sir, but I shall claim the usual three months’ credit,” and a saucy face was lifted to his.

“Not three hours shall I wait,” he laughingly replied, as he followed the figure that passed so swiftly from his arms.  “I have a good notion to claim ‘cash on delivery,’” helping her into the sleigh.

“I fancy you would not find it easy to enforce your claim, sir.”

“Don’t be too sure of that, my Dexie.  I have had too hard an afternoon’s work to do it for nothing, and ‘kiss number two’ would settle the account.”

There was no chance for further conversation, for Lancy needed to give his attention to the spirited animal before him.  It was generally a “wild drive” when Bob wore the harness, unless he were kept well in check, and to those who hastily took the side of the road as the sleigh flew by, it did indeed look like a “wild drive,” for the pace never slacked until the house was reached.