He unwrapped the rope, and carrying it in his hand hobbled toward the road. The aeronaut, who had made a better landing a quarter of a mile away, came rattling up, balloon and all, in a farmer’s wagon, to meet him.
Then they made triumphal entry into town, and Mrs. Miller, astonished at seeing the turn-out stop before her door, learned what a thrilling ride aloft Ned had just made.
First she hugged him, and then she bound his ankle, and then she hugged him again, and then she went off to cry. But she couldn’t stay, and came back with tears still in her eyes.
Next Mr. Miller arrived in haste, and after patting Ned softly on the head, and saying: “Why, Neddie!” coughed violently, and had to turn his back and blow his nose.
Last came Bob, trotting home in great chagrin over having lost track of his master. He stood on his hind legs, and licked Ned all over the face.
Ned was considered very lucky—by older folks because he had escaped with his life; by the boys because he had been up in a balloon; and by himself because the sprain had come at the end of vacation, instead of at the beginning or middle.