“I will do it. There is not a constable nearer than Benedict. I do not like to trust the warrants to a servant to take to the officer, because I wish to give some private instruction with the instruments. You will excuse me, Dr. Peters, I hope, if I ride to town and leave you for a few hours? Mrs. Force and the girls will be happy to entertain you until my return.”
“My dear friend, I was about to ask you to order my horse an hour ago, when the arrival of our good neighbor stopped me. It is absolutely necessary that I return to the rectory to meet an engagement this morning.”
“Then we will ride together as far as our roads go in the same direction.”
Mr. Force rang a bell, which was answered by the entrance of Jake.
“Saddle the rector’s horse; also saddle Samson for me, and the brown horse for yourself. Bring them around to the side block. We shall have to ride to Benedict to-day.”
The man bowed assent to his master’s orders, and left the room.
“You will stay and spend the day with the ladies, I hope, Miss Sibby?” said Mr. Force.
“Well, I reckon I will—if you’ll tell the man, when he comes back with the horses, to have my mule put in the stable and fed.”
“Certainly.”
“And now I’ll just go and find the ladies. No, don’t stir! I know where to find ’em, and I can denounce myself, too! I haven’t any call to stand on ceremony, as if I was one of them upstarts as have got rich suddenly on spectoration! Not I!”