CHAPTER XIV
Riding a Pillion
DOLLY and I had spent great Part of the Afternoon in brushing up and cleaning an old black riding Skirt of my Mother’s, which it was a Wonder I had not cut up into Garments for the Poor. When we had cleaned it with Hollands, and ironed it nicely, it looked very well; for our House was so airy, that our Clothes never had the Moth.
Precisely at the Hour named, an old Man in purple Livery rode up to the Door, on a grey Horse with a Pillion. Mark, who was very lively this Morning, told me he thought the Horse looked like a Bolter; but I knew he was only laughing at me. Then he asked me how I meant to mount; I said, with a Chair, to be sure. He said, “Nonsense!” and lifted me up in a Moment, and arranged my Riding-skirt as nicely as if he had been a Lady’s Groom. Then he told the old Man to be careful of me; but the old Coachman proved to be both dull and deaf, by reason of great Age; so Mark whispered me that he was not afraid of his running away with me, if the Horse did not; finishing with “Good-bye, Mistress Blower.”
I gave him an indignant Look, and said, “For shame, Mark! I have not deserved that!”
“Well,” said he, “I think you have.” And just then the old Man jerked the Rein of the old Horse, which moved off so suddenly, that I was fain to catch hold of the old Man’s Coat; and the last Glance I had of Mark was a merry one.
At first I felt a little bit frightened; but soon got used to my new Position; especially as the Horse walked till we were off the Stones. Still we seemed a long while getting out of London; and we met a great many People returning to it, in Carts, Waggons, and Coaches.
At length we got quite out of Town, and between green Hedges, with Trees beyond them that were turning all manner of Colours; with only a House here and there, or a Wayside Inn. At one of the latter we stopped in the middle of the Day, to rest the Horse, and take some Refreshment. Then we continued our Journey, which lasted till Sunset, and the latter Part of which was mighty pleasant and delightsome; only I was beginning to be a little weary with so much shaking. But, when I saw how charming a Place the Country was, I wondered how People could live in Towns ... unless on a Bridge.