Syd looked annoyed. "I believe Joe unhitched them, himself. I promised father I'd be back early." However he sat down quietly and waited. Godfrey had no annoyance to hide.
It wanted but ten minutes to eleven o'clock that night when the ponies were brought to the door, and the boys, after many hand-shakings and cordial invitations, were allowed to depart for home.
Then the glow of gallantry and manhood began to cool in Godfrey's bosom, and the unpleasant tremor to take its place which was wont to overcome him when he was late at school.
"I say, Syd, I wish we were at home," he said, mounting.
"I wish we were," gloomily.
"Will your father be very angry?"
"It isn't that. But I never broke my word to him before, never. I know what he thinks of a man that breaks his word. The road is heavy. It's a good ride for an hour and a half," shutting his watch with a snap.
"Is there no short cut?"
"Yes, there's one," looking at him dubiously; "but it's through Johnson's place."
"The dogs—they're not loose, eh?"