Page:A strange, sad comedy (IA strangesadcomedy00seawiala).pdf/132

120 did not take him Ethel had the next best claim. Of course he knew she would marry Mr. Romaine if he asked her. But this did not shock him, accustomed as he was to the English idea that there is a grave, moral obligation upon every girl to marry well if she can, without waiting for further eventualities.

The boat only came to the river landing twice a week, so that it happened very naturally both Sir Archy and Farebrother stepped off the steamer one November evening, and got into the rickety carriage drawn by the two showy bobtailed horses bought in New York, over which Dad Davy handled the ribbons. Dad Davy received the guests with effusion, and apologized for the restlessness of the horses.

"Dee ain' used ter de ways o' de quality yit. Quality folks' horses oughter know to stan' still an' do nuttin'; ole marse say dee warn't raise' by no gent'mun, an' dee k'yarn' keep quiet like er gent'mun's kerridge hosses oughter."

The horses started off at a rattling pace, and the carriage bumped along at such a lively rate over the country road that Sir Archy fully expected to find himself landed flat on the ground.