“Sinners and snobs! when don’t you smile? Telegraph me when ye ain’t goin’ to—I’d like to be there. I’ll have to come by lightnin’, though.”
She left Polly laughing, and went to finish mopping the balcony floor.
“Benedicta and I are going down to Overlook,” was all Polly told of their plans as they set off at three o’clock.
“Mayn’t Grissel and I go?” begged Clementina coaxingly.
“Not to-day, dearie,” was the brief answer. And Lilith, as well as the children, was surprised and a bit disappointed in view of the empty back seat. Hitherto it had been contrary to the principles of No. 45678 to run to Overlook or anywhere else with only two passengers.
On the level road leading through Overlook, Benedicta received her preliminary instructions and took the steering-wheel in her strong hands. She succeeded in driving the car slowly and jerkily for several rods and presently stopped with a sudden bump. Being convinced that the machine was safely at rest, she leaned back and drew a long, delighted breath.
“Shudders and shades!” she ejaculated; “be I still on terra firma? Ain’t it fun! But it’s deliriously ticklish.”
Polly laughed. “You like it, then?”
“Like it! It’s the topgallantest play I ever tried! To think I made it go—me!”
“You did pretty well for the first time,” commended Polly.