There's our vehicle yonder. I might tell
you by the way, but the road is long, and the night is chill, and I am
to be charioteer. I couldn't do proper justice to the subject, you
perceive; and besides, I want you to cuddle up and go to sleep. Here we
are. Pile in, Mrs. Sharpe; the back seat, if you please. Miss Dane and I
will sit in front and shield you from the inclemency of the weather."
"Much obliged to you, sir," Mrs. Sharpe said, dryly, obeying orders,
nevertheless.
"I'll sit back with Mrs. Sharpe," said Mollie, sensitively shrinking.
"You'll do nothing of the sort!" retorted Mr. Ingelow, authoritatively.
"You'll do precisely as I tell you! You and Mrs. Sharpe are both in my
power, and if you don't keep uncommonly civil and docile, I'll run off
with the pair of you and start a seraglio! There, ma'am, you're
comfortable, I hope? Now, the sooner you go to sleep the better."
He helped Mrs. Sharpe into the back seat of the two-seated buggy,
wrapped her up, and then assisted Mollie up in front.
"A splendid night for our business," he said, getting in beside her and
gathering up the reins.
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