SO it was a whole week after when Farmer Brown got Mrs. Pepper and Davie and Phronsie into the big wagon all ready to start for Maybury. Mother Pepper sat on the back seat with the farmer’s wife, who insisted on holding Phronsie on her lap,—and Davie, who would have been in a state of bliss if only Joel were going, sat very straight next to Farmer Brown waiting till all the good-bys were over and he could say “G’lang” to the old white horse.
“I’m going to have company,” announced Joel importantly, for about the fiftieth time, and climbing up on the wheel to tell it to Mr. Brown.
“So I’ve heerd,” said the farmer dryly.
“I am—all by myself,” declared Joel, his black eyes shining.
“Well, you better get off th’ wheel then,” said Mr. Brown, “for your comp’ny folks may be a-comin’ down th’ road.”
At that Joel leaped down and ran till he could see the turn in the road; then came flying back.
“They’re not coming—not a single bit,” he declared in an injured tone.
“Well, you keep off th’ wheel,” said the farmer, “for if Jingo starts, mebbe your leg would be sliced off.”
Joel, with no heed to such a direful warning, ran around to look with new interest at the old white horse.
“Is that his name?” he cried eagerly.