"Then won't you get in and drive for me? Prince is acting very badly to-day."
Robert did not wait for the carriage to stop, but with his usual activity clambered in, and was at the lady's side in an instant.
"Now," he said, "let me take the reins."
"If you are sure that you can drive," said Miss Stafford, doubtfully.
"You shall see for yourself," answered Robert, confidently.
He held the reins with a firm hand. The horse, though immediately sensible that there was a new hand at the helm, if I may speak figuratively, wasn't quite ready to yield.
Seeing that he was still fractious, Robert took the whip and brought it down smartly on the horse's flanks.
"Oh, what are you doing?" asked the lady in alarm. "Prince will run away with us!"
"Let him try it," said Robert, his eyes flashing. "If I can't subdue him, I'll sell out to some one that can!"
This was a boy's expression, but his confident manner served to reassure Miss Stafford, though Prince did really undertake to run. The road, however, was good, there were no carriages to encounter, and Robert gave him his head, holding the reins, however, in a strong, firm grasp.