The thing that made Minerva a joy forever was that her heart _was_ in the right place.
Perhaps that is why James had found it so easily.
When we went home at sunset from the old lady’s house Cherry walked by her old-time playmate, Billy, and it struck me that he might be thinking of becoming a rival to Sibthorp and Hepburn.
“It’s cruel in Cherry to let that young man walk with her,” said I to Ethel.
“Oh, I don’t believe that he has ever thought of Cherry except as an old friend,” said she.
“Well, if Cherry lets him walk with her much he will begin to think Cherry is catching.”
And we could hear Hepburn at that very moment singing a little thing that Cherry was very fond of playing.
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“HOW are we going over to the fair at Oakham?” asked Cherry, the evening before that event.
“Hardly. Let’s see, there are ten of us.”
“Twelve. Minerva and James are going and we’re to have lunch over there.”
“Five buggies, two in each,” said Sibthorp as unconsciously as he could.
“Fine,” said Hepburn and Billy in the same breath, and Cherry blushed rose red.
“Couldn’t get buggies, but I think you’ll all be pleased at the conveyance,” said I. “It’ll be quite a ride. Three hours there and three hours back.”
“Goodness,” said Cherry; “I thought it was only about seven miles away.”
“It might be 200 miles away if we took a special,” said Sibthorp suggestively.
“And only a few rods if we took snails,” said Tom and laughed uproariously.
“It’s something between snails and specials,” said I, but further than that I was sphynxlike.
Next morning was a crisp, smoke scented October morning, the air full of the snap of early fall, the landscape hinting at coming crimsons and yellows, the sky a clear blue, guiltless of clouds.
We rose early and while we were at breakfast we heard the lowing of cattle.
“Whose cow’s loose this morning?” asked Tom.
“That’s the voice of our steeds, if I’m not mistaken. Get your wraps and traps and come.”
Scowls of surprise were bent on me by all.
“Behold the chariot of Apollo and the horses thereof,” said I, and led the way to the front door, whither I was followed by all.
In front of the house stood a comfortable-looking hay wagon carpeted with straw and hitched to it were twelve oxen.