"Bless me, what's come to the boy!" exclaimed Mr. King; "now he's forgotten something. I hope he won't be long."
But Tom didn't go into the hotel. Instead, he dashed up to carriage number one. "Get out," he was saying to Jasper, and presenting a very red face to view. "I'm going in here."
"Oh, no," said Jasper; "it's all fixed, and I'm going to stay here." And despite all Tom could say, this was the sole reply he got. So back he went, and climbed into old Mr. King's carriage again, with a very rueful face.
Old Mr. King viewed him with cold displeasure as the driver smacked his whip and off they went to join the rest of the party.
"You must go first," sang out the little doctor, as Grandpapa's carriage drove up; "you are the leader, and we'll all follow you."
"Yes, yes," shouted the parson, like a boy.
And the occupants of carriage number one saying the same thing, Grandpapa's conveyance bowled ahead; and he, well pleased to head the procession, felt some of his displeasure at the boy sitting opposite to him dropping off with each revolution of the wheels.
But Tom couldn't keep still. "I didn't want to come in this carriage, sir!" he burst out.
"Eh! what?" Old Mr. King brought his gaze again to bear upon Tom's face.
"Well, you are here now," he said, only half comprehending.