"We are both in for it, but I guess we are prepared. I don't know what
Margaret will say, but I'm going to take Billy home and see. Maybe he
can win with her, as he did with us."

Elnora had doubts, but she did not say anything more. When they started
home Billy sat on the front seat. He drove with the hitching strap tied
to the railing of the dash-board, flourished the whip, and yelled with
delight. At first Sinton laughed with him, but by the time he left
Elnora with several packages at her gate, he was looking serious enough.

Margaret was at the door as they drove up the lane. Wesley left Billy in
the carriage, hitched the horses and went to explain to her. He had not
reached her before she cried, "Look, Wesley, that child! You'll have a
runaway!"

Wesley looked and ran. Billy was standing in the carriage slashing the
mettlesome horses with the whip.

"See me make 'em go!" he shouted as the whip fell a second time.

He did make them go. They took the hitching post and a few fence
palings, which scraped the paint from a wheel. Sinton missed the lines
at the first effort, but the dragging post impeded the horses, and he
soon caught them. He led them to the barn, and ordered Billy to remain
in the carriage while he unhitched. Then leading Billy and carrying his
packages he entered the yard.

"You run play a few minutes, Billy," he said. "I want to talk to the
nice lady."