“Not at all.  My neighbor is very glad to have me exercise the horse a bit.  Can you drive him alone?”

“I’m a little nervous.”

“Will I do for coachman?”

“If you would, Captain?”

“Then that’s settled.  I’ll go immediately and make arrangements;” which he did.

“Papa,” said Lucy to her father, “the captain will drive me to the station.  You’ll be all right until we get back?”

“All right, yes; don’t worry more about me.  I’m getting strong faster than I ever did before.  See.”

He paced back and forth with considerable vim in his movements.  “Why,” he continued, stopping in front of Lucy and kissing her gently on the cheek, “I feel better right now than I have for a long time—­better inside, you know.”

Lucy did not understand exactly what he meant by the “inside,” but she did not puzzle her head about it.  She was happy to know that her father was so well and that Chester was speeding to her.  The day promised to be fair, and the drive to the station would be delightful.  She was looking out of the window.

“Lucy,” said her father, placing his hand on her shoulder, “you need not tell Captain Brown the little secrets you have learned; and I think your Uncle Gilbert need not know any more than he does.  It is just as well for all concerned that these things remain to outward appearances just as they have in the past.”

“All right, papa.”

“We—­Chester and you and I will know and understand and be happy.  What else matters?”

“What, indeed.”

“Now, there’s the captain already.  He’s early; but perhaps he intends driving you about a bit first.”

That was just it.  The morning air was so invigorating, Captain Brown explained, that it was a pity not to feel it against one’s face.  He knew of a number of very pretty drives, round-about ways, to the station, and the fields were delightfully green just then.

In a short time away they rattled down the graveled road, the father waving after them.  It was a good thing, said Lucy, that strong hands had the reins, for the horse was full of life.  They sped over the smooth, hedge-bordered roads, winding about fields and gardens until they arrived at Calderstone Park.  Here the captain pointed out the Calder Stones, ruins of an ancient Druid place of worship or sacrifice.  Then they drove leisurely through Sefton Park, thence townward to the station.

They had a few moments to wait, during which the driver stroked the horse’s nose, talking to him all the while not to be afraid of the noisy cars.  The whistle’s shrill pipe sounded and the train rolled in.  The captain stood by his horse, while Lucy went to the platform, and met Chester as he leaped from the car.

“Oh, ho,” said the captain to his horse, when he saw the meeting.  A partial explanation was given him of the “certain young man” whom they were to meet.