"Have you room for him?"
"I might put in another seat."
"Do so. And hurry; the rain has slackened up a bit, and we may reach Darbyville before it starts again."
The extra seat was soon placed in the carriage. Then the farmer procured a couple of rubber blankets.
"All ready now," he said. "How shall we sit?"
"You and Mr. Stumpy sit in front. I and the boy will occupy the back seat. Come, Strong, get in."
For an instant I thought of refusing. The merchant had no right to order me. But then I reflected that a refusal would do no good, and might do harm, so without a word I entered the carriage.
The others were not slow to follow. Then Farmer Decker chirruped to Billy, and we rolled out of the farm yard and down the road.
But little was said on the way. I was busy with my own thoughts, and so were Mr. Woodward and Stumpy. The farmer asked several questions, but the merchant said he would learn all he wished to know at the judge's office, and this quieted him.
About five o'clock in the afternoon we rolled into Darbyville. While crossing the Pass River the sun had burst through the clouds, and now all was as bright and fresh as ever.