"Robert kept me up all night." Arthur turned to Alice. "You knew he was back?"
"Dolly told me."
"The lazy fellow isn't up yet," said Fritzie.
Arthur corrected her. "He is up and gone home. But he will be over again this morning."
The horses were fresh and took Arthur's attention across the field and the big wagon lurched as the team danced along. In the woods they found Grace De Castro with the men who were to work. Arthur's saddle-horse was in waiting. The men began loading the brake with elder blossoms, brier roses, and branches from the forest trees. Arthur had meant to take his groom with him, but found there would be nobody to drive the brake back to the barn.
"No matter, Mr. De Castro," said Alice. "Take him. I will drive back." Arthur demurred, but Alice insisted. "I would rather drive the team than not. I drive our horses all the time."
Arthur and the groom rode away. Fritzie and Grace looked at Alice in astonishment when the wagon had been loaded and Alice took the driver's high seat, pulled her glove gauntlets back taut and a gardener handed her the reins.
"Aren't you afraid?" cried Grace.
"Not in the least," Alice answered, slipping her hands into the driving loops and putting her foot on the wheel-brake.
"Really," declared Grace, "you have quite an air."