Henry smiled and the rest looked indignant.
"I should like to know—" began Frank; but Henry stopped him:
"No, you wouldn't, doctor. Believe me, the knowledge wouldn't afford you the slightest pleasure. It is nothing new. Somebody told the same story to prex—I beg your pardon, mother; I mean our respected president. The next time I rode out, he was standing at his own gate.
"He stopped me and said gravely, 'Van Alstine, I doubt the propriety of your riding that horse to-day; it seems to me to be unnecessary labour. Don't you think it would be less trouble to walk?'"
"I suppose he knew where you were going?"
"Of course; we told him all about it before we began, and asked his advice. Please excuse me, mother; I want to look out some hymns. Will you help me, girls? We must set out at half-past three, you know."
"I wish we could go," said Hector, speaking for himself, as usual.
"You shall next time," said his brother; "but it would be rather too much Van Alstine if we all went. We should fill the school-house all by ourselves."
"You shall go with me," said Mr. Van Alstine; "I am going over to see old Mrs. Hollenback. Chris told me yesterday the old lady was worse and would not last long."
At half-past three all were ready, the girls, in short dresses and stout boots, looking very pretty under their shady hats, the boys with a parcel each of hymn-books, and pockets filled with cards and tracts for the children.