ut alone--Roberta blushed as she remembered her experience with
old Tom. But if the girls were depending on her--"Betty drives too," she
said aloud. "She and I can take turns. Are you sure we have enough
gingersnaps?"

Everybody laughed, for Roberta's fondness for gingersnaps had become
proverbial. "Half a box apiece," said Rachel, "and it is understood that
you are to have all you want even if the rest of us don't get any."

When the horse arrived Roberta's last fear vanished. He was meekness
personified. His head drooped sadly and his eyes were half shut. His
fuzzy nose and large feet bespoke docile endurance, while the heavy trap
to which he was harnessed would certainly discourage all latent
tendencies to undue speed. Alice Waite, Rachel and Katherine climbed in
behind, Betty and Roberta took the front seat, and they started at a jog
trot down Meriden Place.

"Shall we go through Main Street?" asked Roberta. "He might be afraid of
the electric cars."

"Afraid of nothing," said Betty decidedly. "Besides, Alice wants to stop
at the grocery."

The "beastie," as Katherine called him, stood like a statue before Mr.
Phelps's grocery and never so much as moved an eyelash when three
trolley cars dashed by him in quick succession.

"What did you get?" asked Katherine, when Alice came out laden with
bundles.

"Olives----"

"Good! We forgot those."

"And bananas----"

"The very thing! We have grapes."

"And wafers and gingersnaps----"

Everybody laughed riotously. "What's the matter now?" inquired Alice,
looking a little offended. Rachel explained.

"Well, if you have enough for the lunch," said Alice, "let's keep these
out to eat when we feel hungry." And the box was accordingly stuffed
between Betty and Roberta for safe keeping.

Down on the meadow road it was very warm. By the time they reached the
ferry, the "beastie's" thick coat was dripping wet and he breathed hard.

"Ben drivin' pretty fast, hain't you?" asked the ferryman, patting the
horse's hairy nose.

"I should think not," said Katherine indignantly. "Why, he walked most
of the way."

"Wall, remember that there trap's very heavy," said the ferryman
solemnly, as he shoved off.

Beyond the river the hills began. The "beastie" trailed slowly up them.
Several times Roberta pulled him out to the side of the road to let more
ambitious animals pass him.

"Do you suppose he's really tired?" she whispered to Betty, as they
approached a particular