He was in for it!
In his agony he thought of jumping from the wagon, let the consequence be what it might. But that would only add to the worst side of his foolish adventure. There was no escape for him!
In this horrible dilemma, while continuing to urge Old Jerry on, he caught up the oilcloth Mr. Howlitt had thrown over the load of produce, and wrapped this hastily about his form. Then, speaking coaxingly for Jerry to slacken his gait, he kept his arms concealed as much as possible, and waited desperately for the others to pass.
Larry’s awful suspense was of short duration, for in a minute Pluto and his fair companion came dashing alongside.
“Old Jerry seems to be wide-awake,” greeted Lucy, who did not seem to realize the real situation, “so I thought we should not overtake you. I think you must have lost a bundle out of your wagon, for I saw this by the wayside, and made Mr. Snyder stop and pick it up.”
With these words she tossed into the market wagon at Larry’s feet the bundle containing his new clothes.
He dared not stoop to take it up, and he was too confused and bewildered to make the grateful acknowledgment that he felt in his heart like doing.
“Father will soon be along,” said Lucy, as she and her companion rapidly left poor Larry behind. “I met Mr. Snyder in Middletown, and he wanted——”
The rest was too indistinct for Larry to understand, but it did not matter. The fearful ordeal was over, his new clothes safe, and he felt like shouting in his joy.
Now that he came to himself, he began to see how foolish he had been in throwing away so hastily his old clothes.