"Yes," said James.
"Well." said Marco. "I will run and get my goad-stick."
Marco went toward the house intending to go in and get his goad-stick. On his way he met his uncle. His uncle asked him whether James was out in the barn. Marco said that he was, and his uncle then asked him to go and request James to come to him. Marco did so, and he and James then came along toward the house together.
Marco's uncle stood upon the step of the door.
"James," said he, "I was thinking that we ought to send for the horses;--and the apples ought to be gathered too. Which is it best to do?"
"I hardly know, sir," said James. "It is high time that the apples were gathered, and yet we promised to send for the horses to-day."
"I can go and get the horses," said Marco,--"just as well as not. Where is it?"
"Oh no," said his uncle. "It is ten or fifteen miles from here. Isn't it, James?"
"Yes," said James, "by the road. I suppose it is about four miles through the woods. I was intending to walk there, through the woods, and then to come home round by the road. It is rather a rough road for horses through the woods."
"Let cousin Forester and me go," said Marco. "I will go and ask him."