“Yes, I’m glad Tramper stood still,” Bert rejoined. The horse had begun to eat grass after the accident, as much as to say that it wasn’t his fault and he didn’t care how long they took to load the cart again.
But at last the spilled fruit was gathered up and once more Bert mounted the seat and took the reins. For Mr. Watson, arriving from a distant orchard and hearing about the accident, had said that Bert was to try again.
“You might as well learn now as any time not to turn a wagon too suddenly,” he said kindly to the boy. “Get up and try again. I’ll watch you and tell you if you turn too short.”
So Bert had a lesson in driving, and he was glad Mr. Watson had not been angry because of the upset. But the farmer knew that young people must have a chance to learn, and so he was patient.
“Whoa!” called Bert, as he drove Tramper into the barn with the load of soft fruit and stopped the cart where Mr. Watson told him to. Then the fruit was put into wooden bins and the sorting went on.
“Do you want to bring in another load?” asked the farmer.
“Do you think it safe to trust him?” inquired Mr. Bobbsey. “I don’t want him to make a lot of work for you.”
“He can’t hurt the soft peaches much, anyhow,” the farmer went on, “and there’s nothing like letting a boy know how to handle a horse. He’ll be safer with Tramper than any other animal. Go on, Bert, drive back to the orchard and get more peaches.”
“Could we ride with him?” begged Flossie.
“Oh, let’s!” called Freddie.