"No; but the gig is so roomy, don't you think—"
"I don't want to go to Dartmeet," Theodore interrupted hastily, turning very red.
"Nor do I," Jack added, flushing also, and carefully avoiding his mother's eyes.
"That's all right, then," Mr. Barton remarked easily. "The gig is certainly a large one, and Boxer is a powerful horse; but it would be a crush if we took you boys with us."
The following day was beautifully fine; and after an early dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Barton started for their drive. The boys watched the departure, and as soon as the gig was out of sight, looked at each other with meaning smiles.
"We ought to get away as soon as we possibly can," Theodore said, "but we must find out what Jane means to do."
"She's in her own room sewing now," Jack returned, "because as I came downstairs the door was ajar, and I saw her. Don't you think we'd better slip off without letting her know?"
"No," Theodore replied decidedly, after a moment's reflection; "you wait for me here, and I'll go and speak to her."
Theodore accordingly ran upstairs, calling upon Jane, who answered him from her bedroom, telling him to come in. She was seated nearing the window, engaged in darning stockings. "What a deal of work you and Master Jack make for me!" she exclaimed, indicating a great hole in the stocking she had pulled over her left hand, and looking good-humouredly at her little master.
"I am very sorry, Jane," he responded, with unusual meekness in his tone, "but things wear out very quickly, don't they?"