She ran the car to the side of the road.
"More trouble?" groaned her father.
"No. Just want to see scenery."
"But—— There's a good deal of scenery on all sides, without stopping, seems to me!"
"Yes, but——" She looked back. Milt had come into sight; had paused to take observations. Her father caught it:
"Oh, I see. Pardon me. Our squire still following? Let him go on ahead? Wise lass."
"Yes. I think perhaps it's better to avoid complications."
"Of course." Mr. Boltwood's manner did not merely avoid Milt; it abolished him.
She saw Milt, after five minutes of stationary watching, start forward. He came dustily rattling up with a hail of "Distributor on strike again?" so cheerful that it hurt her to dismiss him. But she had managed a household. She was able to say suavely:
"No, everything is fine. I'm sure it will be, now. I'm afraid we are holding you back. You mustn't worry about us."