"So far, so good," said Patty. "But now to get the O'Brien. Suppose she won't come?"
"Don't borrow trouble, Apple Blossom. Let's suppose she WILL come, and meanwhile let's enjoy our ride. It was dear of you to ask me to come with you."
"Well, you see, I didn't know but it might require force to persuade a cook to go back with us, and,—and you're so big, you know."
"Then I'm glad I'm so big, since brawn and strength win favour in my lady's sight."
"You ARE strong, aren't you?" and Patty looked at the giant beside her. "I think," she went on slowly, "your strength must be as the strength of ten."
"I hope so," and Farnsworth's voice took or a graver note, "and for the right reason."
Just then they came in sight of the Cartwright place.
"Good gracious!" cried Patty, as they drove in. "Here are four thousand dogs coming to meet us!"
Patty's estimate of their number was extravagant, but there WERE five or six dogs, and they were large and full-lunged specimens of their kind.
"I'm frightened," said Patty. "They're watchdogs, you know, turned loose because the people are away. Don't get out, Billee, they'll bit you! They're bloodhounds, I'm sure!"