“‘Oh, no, sir! You see, I’m so anxious to get there and have it over.’
“‘But—but, sir, you’ve already passed the city hall!’ remonstrated the man.
“‘Well, well, so I have. Guess I’ll have to take you on to the next town now. You see the machine is going so fast I really can’t stop!’
“‘Can’t stop?’ exploded the arm of the law. ‘I tell you you’ll pay dearly for this trick. Dearly, I say! Let me out! Let me out!’ almost choking with rage.
“‘Certainly, my dear sir,’ as the auto slowed down. ‘Much joy to you on your return trip. I hope the sun isn’t too hot and the road too dusty!’ he remarked as he deposited the sputtering fellow three miles from the town limits, with no alternative but to walk the weary distance.”
As he finished, Billy was convulsed with silent laughter, but the Duke never so much as smiled to show his appreciation of the tale. He looked solemnly at Billy and wagged his head.
“Young fellow, it would have served that driver right if his car had been confiscated, and he’d been compelled to walk to his destination. These automobile people as a rule are altogether too reckless. I hope Mr. Treat will escape the speed fever.”
“You’re doomed to be sadly disappointed, then,” retorted Billy, confidently.
“I can’t believe Mr. Treat will so far forget himself as to go racing madly about the country in his automobile, frightening the poor cattle and horses half out of their wits. Why!” and the Duke waxed indignant at the memory, “do you know, Billy Whiskers, as I was coming to the Fair yesterday, I saw a poor chicken laying all mangled in the road, the victim of one of those idiotic auto enthusiasts?”
“And do you know, Your Highness, that we made several chickens step lively and use their wings a bit beside, on the way to the Fair to-day? And, remember, this is your master’s first time out,” Billy replied, prodding the calf in the ribs in a playful mood.