“Not at all,” he replied. “I’m under obligations to you, young lady. I am delighted to have some one to talk to. So far my journey has been a trifle dull. My friend on the front seat is not communicative and all my efforts to find a subject of mutual interest have failed. I fancy he is a very wise youth, he says so little. Did you happen to observe him as we passed you?”
Harry nodded a trifle embarrassedly, for the subject under discussion could hear every word.
“Yes? And did he strike you as having a most intelligent appearance?”
“He will hear you,” whispered Harry.
“That’s true,” replied the man. “So we mustn’t flatter him any more. Many noble natures, I dare say, have been spoiled by flattery.”
The boy growled irritatedly at the horse, and the man turned to Harry with raised brows and an expression which said: “There! Have I over-praised him? Isn’t he wonderful?” Harry felt a strong inclination to giggle, but refrained out of consideration for the boy’s feelings and smiled instead. The man smiled back at her and after that they suddenly seemed to have become very good friends.
“You live around here?” he asked.
“Yes, sir, at Ferry Hill,” answered Harry.
“Really? Now that’s where I’m bound. Then you must know the principal there, Doctor Emery, I think his name is.”