“Well, it certainly felt a million times bigger than that,” and she departed radiantly happy.
CHAPTER IV.
One day in early spring the doctor surprised his wife by asking her if she would like to take a drive.
“In March? The roads are not passable yet, surely.”
But the doctor assured her that the roads were getting pretty good except in spots. “I have such a long journey ahead of me today that I want you to ride out as far as Centerville and I can pick you up as I come back.”
“That's seven or eight miles. I'll go. I can stop at Dr. Parkin's and chat with Mrs. Parkin till you come.”
Accordingly a few minutes later the doctor and Mary were speeding along through the town which they soon left far behind them.
About two miles out they saw a buggy down the road ahead of them which seemed to be at a stand-still. When they drew near they found a woman at the horses' heads with a broken strap in her hand. She was gazing helplessly at the buggy which stood hub-deep in mud. She recognized the doctor and called out, “Dr. Blank, if ever I needed a doctor in my life, it's now.”
“Stuck fast, eh?”