I took good care not to be outside the house till close upon the time for starting; indeed the pony carriage and I got there at the very same moment, and then the little rough servant-girl came out with a big breakfast cup of tea, and a thick slice of bread-and-butter. "The young lady wouldn't rest without you had something," she said. "I was to ask if you'd like to take it out here or indoors."
I thanked her, but I wouldn't go indoors; and I did feel glad I hadn't spent one penny of the money I had in my pocket on myself; so that now I could enjoy my tea with a clear conscience. Before I was done, Miss Adela came racing out, ready for the drive, with a big slice of plum-cake. "There! that's for you too, museum-boy," she cried. "You're to eat it all up, every bit. I told Mrs. Crane's cousin I wouldn't taste a crumb if I mightn't have a piece for you; and hasn't she cut a lovely big hunch!"
Then Miss Adela was called back, and by the time I had done my cake they all came out. "Was it nice, museum-boy? Wasn't it nice?" Miss Adela cried, jumping about in her delight at a drive in the dusk; and Nurse kept trying to catch her, and to wrap her up warmly, while Miss Adela kept slipping away like an eel. "Isn't it delicious cake?" she persisted; and then Mrs. Crane's cousin came out, and I thanked her; and I heard her whisper pretty loud to Mrs. Crane, "What does make you dislike the boy so? He's got the nicest manners!"
It was getting late, and we had to hurry off. We sat just the same as in going, only Miss Adela made Nurse go in front, and she took the seat opposite to me; and how she did chatter, to be sure! I never heard anybody's tongue go like Miss Adela's at that age. All about Mrs. Crane's cousin, and Mrs. Crane's cousin's husband, and Mrs. Crane's cousin's husband's horses, till I'm sure I felt bewildered. Mrs. Crane didn't half like it, and she frowned at Miss Adela once or twice; but it was no manner of use, so she took to talking with Nurse instead.
Well, I suppose we had got about half-way home, going at a steady jog-trot, and I was listening to Miss Adela, and not paying particular attention to anything, when all at once the pony stopped, and began to back. Nurse gave a scream, and Mrs. Crane did the same; and in one moment the cart was off the road, and nearly up to the axles in a pond full of slimy greenish water.
It didn't take me long to think what to do. At the first sound of the scream I was up and over in the water, with a splash, and at the pony's head—just in time to keep him from backing further. For I knew this pond shelved pretty fast, and about the middle it was deep enough to give anybody a good ducking—perhaps to drown one. Besides, there was some danger of the little light cart turning over.
Mrs. Crane and Nurse shrieked again; and the pony put his ears back and looked wicked, and I could hear Miss Adela begging, "Oh, museum-boy, do get us out!" But that was easier said than done; for the pony had got an obstinate fit, which we found afterward was his way; and he wouldn't budge for anything or anybody. The moment I loosened my grasp he began to back again, and as long as I held firm he kept pretty still; but move forward he wouldn't. It was no earthly use for me to pull.
"What is to be done? O dear me!" gasped Mrs. Crane. "Hold on tight, Miles—do! there's a good boy! Don't let go! I know we shall all be drowned."
"Hand me the whip, please," said I.
"No, no, I can't have him beaten; not on any account," cried she; and she held the whip with both hands. "He will kick, and turn us all over, and we shall be drowned. And I've got my best bonnet on! O dear! O dear!"