The car which stood throbbing at the door of the hotel was large and handsome, as if made to match my cousin, and it was painted flame color.
"I am just learning to drive," said Robert, who wore a motoring-cap which was particularly becoming. "I do not know much about automobiles yet; soon I shall buy one. It is rowing I like best, and skating in winter, though I have not time to amuse myself except at the end of weeks, for I am manager of my poor father's factory. But my fiancée likes the automobile, and to please her I am learning with my friend's car."
"That is good of you," said Phyllis.
"Yes, it is," he replied gravely. "Would you that I drive or the chauffeur? He has more experience."
I left the decision to Phil, as she is the timid one, but to my surprise she answered——
"Oh, you, of course."
Cousin Robert looked pleased. "Are you not afraid?" he inquired, beaming.
"Ye—es, I am afraid, for I've never been before. But I shall be less afraid with you than with him." And she glanced at a weedy youth who was pouring oil from a long-nosed tin into something obscure.
"Will you sit in front by my side?" he asked. And it was only after Phil had accepted the invitation that he remembered to hope I wouldn't mind the chauffeur being in the tonneau with me. "It must have been one of you," he added, "and you and I are cousins."
"Twice removed," I murmured; but he was helping Phil into the car, and did not hear.