Mr. Legh wished to prevail on her to let him drive her home, but she would not hear of it. Percy put up his umbrella, and offered to shelter her, but she held aloof.
‘No, no. Where did you get that elegant cotton machine?’
‘I borrowed it at the turnpike.’
‘And rode home with it on Arthur’s mare?’
‘Of course I did. I was not going to get wet through.’
‘But how did you get her to let you carry it. She objects to his taking out his handkerchief.’
‘I am not going to be beaten by a mare, and she soon found that out.’
‘What have you done with her?’
‘I took her home, and came back again. I wonder what Arthur will say to me for taking his gallant gray on to Whitford. I must get up a pathetic appeal to the feelings of a father!’
‘Well, I did not recollect you had the gray, or I would have told you to take my horse. However, there’s no harm done, and it saved time.’