So Dick started off, his hands and ears well protected, after receiving many cautions to be careful of his driving in the city, and to put the horse under cover as soon as possible.
Old Charley having eaten an extra feed of oats, felt pretty lively. He knew as well as any body that something unusual had taken him out of his warm stable, and turned to watch the last arrangements of his young master with a satisfied neigh.
"Good bye! Good bye! I hope you'll have great success," cried one and another shouting after him, as with a merry laugh Dick drove out of the yard.
"I don't think he'll make any thing by his speculation," remarked his father. "But it will be a good lesson for him."
About four o'clock Eddy and Lyman stationed themselves by the front window to watch for their brother's return. Early in the afternoon, the weather had grown cloudy again, and now the fine sleet had begun to fall.
"Bring Dick's Sunday jacket and shoes, and put them near the fire," said his mother. "He will be wet through."
After waiting supper an hour beyond the usual time they reluctantly took their seats at the table, wondering every moment why he did not come.
In the centre of the table there was a great dish of hasty pudding of which the absent boy was particularly fond. Mrs. Stuart took out a portion into a bowl, and set it into the top of the teakettle. By the time the dishes were cleared away, she had become really anxious.
It was now seven, a cold disagreeable night, where could the child be? Two or three times the mother went to the door, thinking she heard a cry of distress.
"We had better have prayers," urged Mr. Stuart. "Baby's eyes are growing very heavy."