“Oh, well! you may get in,” said Miss Melling, not ungraciously.
Seldom, indeed, did he have the honor of riding in the Kingthorpe carriage, because Carlstrom and Miss Melling were both so fussy, and poor Uncle Isaac never went to drive. As they rode along Miss Melling showed Johnny how to put the rod together. My, oh, my! How amazingly long it was! Johnny stood it up like a flagstaff and his face was radiant.
“Has Uncle Isaac trouble with his heart?” asked Johnny, thinking he would tell about the kerosene cure.
“Rich people have trouble everywhere,” said Miss Melling curtly. “Sit still or you’ll fall out of the carriage.”
Johnny Blossom sat as still as a stone for about two minutes; but then they drove past a great linden tree and he absolutely had to stand up to see how near the top of the tree he could reach with his fishpole.
A PRESENT FROM UNCLE ISAAC
“Dear, dear!” said Miss Melling. “I think you had better get out before we have an accident.”
The carriage was stopped and Johnny Blossom with his long fishing rod was helped out unceremoniously.
“Thank you for the drive and for the rod,” said he, bowing.