Jane reluctantly obeyed and did not forget the whip this time. She had a fresh rebuff when she reached the road. Instead of the saddle horses she expected to see, Dr. Morton and Ernest were awaiting her in the spring wagon.
“Why, Father, I thought you said to put on my riding habit.”
78“Maybe I did. But never mind, jump in just as you are–it’s getting a little late.”
Chicken Little tried to hide her disappointment. She maintained a dignified silence until they had crossed the ford and Ernest turned the horses toward Captain Clarke’s.
“Oh, it’s at the Captain’s.”
Her Father nodded and began talking carelessly to Ernest about putting the orchard in clover another year. She saw there was no information to be had, until he was good and ready. Ernest took pity on her, however, just as they turned in the Captain’s gate.
“In exactly six minutes you will see the surprise, even if you don’t recognize it.”
Chicken Little strained her eyes half expecting to see Katy or Gertie appear miraculously from nowhere. But they drove into the door yard without seeing anything or anybody that could possibly interest her.
The Captain was evidently watching for them. He helped her down from the high wagon in his most courtly manner.
“I am consumed with curiosity to know whether you have pried the secret from that brother of yours. I infer you have from your habit.”