“We’ll do that, Master Peter. You kin rely on an old friend.”

“Thank you, Mr. Grace; that was what I was going to ask you. If anyone was to run away with her, they’d come to you to drive them. Wouldn’t they?”

“Not a shadder of a doubt. I drives all the best people in Topbury.”

“These wouldn’t be ‘zactly the best people—not if they were stealing Kay.”

“All the better; the easier for me to spot ‘em. Any par-tickler pusson you suspeck of ‘aving wicked designs upon ‘er?”

“No one in particular, Mr. Grace. I was just frightened that I might come home and find her gone.”

“What one might call a prickcaution?”

“I think that’s what I meant.”

Mr. Grace’s neck had become sore with looking down, so he tempted Peter to come on the box. Puffing and blowing, he gave him a hand to help him.

When they were seated side by side, Mr. Grace looked fondly at the curly head and straight little body. “I shall miss yer.”