Another morning she began to tell some adventures of Er, and this time Miss Fletcher did not interrupt her. She listened for some minutes, then said:
"Very interesting, Dreamikins. And now, instead of telling us the rest of it, just write it all down on your slate. Ask me how to spell the long words, and I will correct it when you've done. It will teach you how to spell."
Dreamikins very slowly obeyed. Her crestfallen little face made Freda giggle, but Miss Fletcher stopped that at once.
The sighs and groans that came from the poor little inventor were pitiable, and after half an hour's hard writing Miss Fletcher let her stop.
But after that, Dreamikins never attempted to tell stories in school-time again.
One afternoon she and Fibo went out in the pony-carriage together. It was a lovely day, bright and sunny, though there was a touch of cold in the air, and the leaves of the trees were turning a beautiful red and yellow and brown. Grinder always followed the carriage close behind, but Fibo would not have Drab or Whiskers taken in the carriage with them, though Dreamikins begged hard that they might come.
Fibo drove through the village, but when they were in the quiet lanes he let Dreamikins hold the reins. That was one of the proudest and happiest moments of her life.
She sat up like a little queen. Occasionally she would steal a glance at her uncle.
"I have my eye on you," he would say.
"Yes, Fibo dear; but I 'sure you, you can go to sleep and I'll drive quite steady. I should like you to have a little nap. It would rest your legs."