"Oh, Mr. Waycott, I turned the wheel the wrong way! and we had a peep over the hedge. Mr. Hughes is very much displeased with me. The creature is not hurt, is it?"
"No, madam; but if it had been a wall instead of a hedge it would have been ruined, and your life would have been in danger."
Jim had fallen out, but was none the worse, and was grinning broadly as he said:
"Them dratted beasts is so contrary, Miss Toney; better keep to horses."
"Good gracious, Toney, are you hurt?" exclaimed Lewis.
"Not a bit! I'm awfully elastic, you know. No harm done, Mr. Hughes. Come in with us please, Mr. Waycott, and you'll see how nice it is."
Lewis fetched his gun, unloaded it, and accepted. He and Toney got inside, and left the two men on the front seat.
"We have been to the Towers, and they were ever so kind. The Honourable Edward Lang was just as charming as he could be."
"Why didn't you come and see us instead?"
"Aunt Dove wanted to accept the invitation to tea, and yet didn't want the trouble, whilst I enjoyed it. Isn't it odd why people ask other people they don't want to see, and who don't want to come?" Lewis laughed.
"The ways of Society, Toney. You must learn all that!"
"I never shall. Oh, Mr. Waycott, my new secretary has come, Mr. Plantagenet Russell, and Aunt Dove is fascinated with him! Isn't that a piece of luck?"
"I haven't thought yet at all. I'm only sniffing round like Trick, who glared at his heels, but I was firm. It wouldn't do the first day, would it?"
"If Trick sent him away it would be all right."
"Oh, but you are cruel! I couldn't do it all myself!"
"You! What would Miss Waycott say? She would look 'Oh--you--dreadful--Toney' all over!"
"I daresay she would think I was trying to do what I know nothing about, being poor and having no superfluous money to dispense. Anyhow, will you always ask me for help if you are in need of it. It would please me very much to--to help you, Toney."
Toney looked straight up into Lewis' face, and for the first time in her life she hesitated. Then she shook her head.
"I wouldn't bother you or try your patience so much. But I may want help, and you are the only one who would understand. Gracious stars! this animal is snorting and lurching! Is anything the matter, Mr. Hughes?"
