"And you rest to-night?"
"At The World's End, hard by here."
"Very well; I shall call upon you to-morrow early. You can go."
But early the next morning, before ordinary folks were stirring, Seth and the children were again on the road. The wagon started at six o'clock, and Seth experienced a feeling of relief when he caught the last glimpse of Springfield.
"No more ladies and gentlemen for us," he said almost gaily, with the air of a man who has escaped a great danger; "we have had enough of them."
"I like ladies and gentlemen," said the Duchess--a remark which drove Seth into a moody fit for at least an hour.
[CHAPTER XVIII.]
The second day's journey was as delightful as the first. The weather continued fine, and Seth Dumbrick, recovering his spirits, did his best to entertain the children, to whom the ride itself would have been a sufficiently satisfying enjoyment. During the day Seth confided his plans to the good-natured wagoner, and his desire to obtain cheap lodgings for a few days for himself and the children at some modest cottage in the country.
"Would near the seaside suit you?" asked the wagoner.
"Capitally," replied Seth; "but your place lies inland."