“And I must start work on that chicken-fencing. If it is to be done before nightfall, I must ask help, too,” said Janet, beckoning Belle to help her carry the roll of wire.
Mr. and Mrs. Lowden were invited to stay to dinner but they declined with regrets, as they were to be back in New York soon after noon. Then Frances said: “I’ll have to drive you to the station to catch the only train that stops at Greenville this afternoon, and how will I get back if I haven’t a license?”
“I’ll accompany you, Frances, and later we will have to plan a way out of the difficulty,” said Mrs. James.
Good-bys were said, and the girls stood on the piazza waiting to see the car start off, when Rachel came out. “Hey, Mis’ James! I got it! Jes’ hol’ up a minit, will yuh?”
She hurried down the walk and ran out of the gate to lay her plan before the owners of the automobile.
“Yuh all knows my nephew Sam in Noo York? Well, he got a shover’s license las’ spring cuz he figgered on drivin’ somebody’s car this summer in the country. But we all know what a easy-goin’ darky he is, too!
“He diden have ambichun enough to hunt out a place, so he jes’ waited fer a plum to drap in his mout’. Ef he is in Noo York, he’ll be at dis address, sure! Ef I tells him to come out heah, widdout fail, to run dat car, he’ll come quick as lightnin’. Ef us gives him room an’ board, he oughter be glad fer the chants. Den no one kin pester Mis’ Francie ’bout license, er nuttin. An’ Sam kin make hisself useful to me by bringin’ in coal an’ wood fer t’ kitchen fire, an’ doin’ odd jobs about t’ place.”
This information seemed to suit Mr. Lowden exactly, and he turned to Rachel to say: “I’ll find him, Rachel, never fear—if he is to be found in the city. Look for him in the next day or two.”
Then saying good-by again, they drove away.