Emma was rather startled at the idea of taking such a liberty, but she thought, perhaps, Sir William knew the ways of the family best, and she did not raise any objection. Mrs. Browning, the keeper's wife, when called into counsel, regretted extremely that she had no one about whom she could send on such an errand, her husband being out with the boy that helped; she would have gone herself but she had a cough, and was afraid of the wet. This was an unexpected dilemma. Sir William meditated in silence.
"You have no carriage, Mrs. Browning, I suppose?"
"Bless you, no, sir—only one little tilted cart, which my husband drives to church on Sunday."
"Well and is not that at home—can we not have that? it would do admirably if we could;" cried he, delighted at the idea.
"Certainly, sir, I think I could harness it for you, the horse is at home to-day unluckily—I will go and see about it."
"No, no, my good woman, let me go and see,—I dare say, I can manage the affair without troubling you," said Sir William.
But she assured him her presence was necessary to show him the way, at least; but, if the young lady would be so kind as again to hold the infant, they would soon have every thing right. To this, of course, Emma readily agreed, and she soon, from the thinness of the partition, heard Sir William's voice joking with their hostess about the horse and harness.
In about ten minutes he returned.
"Miss Watson," said he, "your carriage is waiting—are you ready to undertake the expedition under my escort?"
Emma assented; and, after thanking the mother, and kissing the child—a process which Sir William pretended likewise to imitate, she was conducted to the door, and assisted into the neat, little chay-cart by him—and, under his protection, commenced the journey.