Janice wondered if Nelson had come to the house to talk over that very matter with her on the afternoon she had taken her first lesson in automobile driving. And after several days, as the school teacher did not come again, she made an attempt to put herself in his way.
The teacher boarded with Mrs. Beasely, who lived almost opposite Hopewell Drugg’s general store, on the street leading down to Pine Cove. Around the corner on High Street Miss ’Rill Scattergood and her mother lived. Miss ’Rill had taught the Polktown School for years before Nelson Haley came, and the pretty little old maid and Janice were very dear friends.
Mrs. Scattergood, a birdlike old lady, with a sharp tongue and inquisitive mind, met Janice as usual with a question.
“What’s happened to that ortermobile, child? I hear tell you got one, but you ain’t been on High Street with it yet. What’s the matter—you ain’t ashamed of it, be you?”
“I don’t think I could be ashamed of any gift from Daddy,” laughed Janice.
“Mebbe it’s that young man I hear tell is teachin’ you to run the thing, that you’re ashamed of?” queried the sharp-tongued old lady.
“Now, mother!” begged Miss ’Rill.
But Janice was used to Mrs. Scattergood’s pointed speeches, and she took no offense.
“I shan’t appear on High Street,” she declared, smiling, “until I can manage the car perfectly myself.”
“Wa-al! I hear he’s a very likely young man,” said Mrs. Scattergood, insisting upon making gossip of Frank Bowman’s attentions. “And I expect Mr. Haley’s nose is out o’ j’int.”