“Oh, that’s all right,” said ’Zekiel; “Huldy had to pay pretty dearly for getting mad at the wrong time.  Besides, I don’t think she will want to drive horse again for a while.”

Mandy rapped on the parlor door and called out that the team was ready.

Quincy assured ’Zekiel that he understood his part and would play it to the best of his ability.

When he arrived at Deacon Mason’s house he found the latter just coming out of the front gate.  As Quincy leaped from the team the Deacon came forward and shook hands with him.  “You are just the man I want to see,” he remarked.  “I’ve paid our doctor, but I want to know what the bill is for the Boston doctor and the nurse.”

“I don’t know yet,” said Quincy, “but there will be nothing for you to pay.  It is my duty to settle that bill myself.”

“No,” said the Deacon firmly.  “She is my daughter, and it is my place as her father to pay such bills, until she has a husband to pay them for her.”

Quincy said, “Deacon Mason, when I took your daughter out to ride it was my duty to return her to her home without injury.  I did not do so, and I trust that you will allow me to atone for my neglect.  Remember, sir, you have lost her services for several weeks, and the board of the nurse has been an expense to you.”

“I prefer,” rejoined the Deacon, “that the bill should be sent to me.”

“Well,” said Quincy, to close the discussion, “I will ask him to send you one;” mentally resolving, when it was sent, it would be a receipted one.

Quincy received a hearty welcome from Mrs. Mason, who said the nurse had her things packed and was all ready to go.  He then told Mrs. Mason that he had a message for Miss Mason from Mr.  ’Zekiel Pettengill, and Mrs. Mason said she would send Huldy to the parlor at once.  Huldy greeted Quincy with a happy face and without any show of confusion.

“I had a long talk with Mr. Pettengill,” said Quincy, “and he has induced me to become a conspirator.  The first act in our comedy is to ask you if you will ride over to Eastborough Centre this morning with the nurse and myself, and get a little fresh air?”

“I should be delighted,” said Huldy, “if you can wait long enough for me to dress.”

“That’s what I came early for,” remarked Quincy.  “How long will it take you?”

“Fifteen minutes,” said Huldy.

“It is now half-past seven,” remarked Quincy, looking at his watch.  “You mean you will be ready by quarter of nine?”

“No,” said Huldy, with a flash of her eyes, “I am no city lady.  I am a plain, country girl, and I mean just one-quarter of an hour.  You can time me, Mr. Sawyer;” and she ran gayly out of the room.

Quincy looked out of the window and saw that Hiram had put the nurse’s heavy valise on the front seat of the carryall.  The nurse herself was standing by the side of the team, evidently uncertain which seat to take.  Quincy was quickly at her side.