would play it to
the best of his ability.

When he arrived at Deacon Mason's house he found the latter just coming
out of the front gate. As Quincy leaped from the team the Deacon came
forward and shook hands with him. "You are just the man I want to see,"
he remarked. "I've paid our doctor, but I want to know what the bill is
for the Boston doctor and the nurse."

"I don't know yet," said Quincy, "but there will be nothing for you to
pay. It is my duty to settle that bill myself."

"No," said the Deacon firmly. "She is my daughter, and it is my place as
her father to pay such bills, until she has a husband to pay them for
her."

Quincy said, "Deacon Mason, when I took your daughter out to ride it was
my duty to return her to her home without injury. I did not do so, and I
trust that you will allow me to atone for my neglect. Remember, sir, you
have lost her services for several weeks, and the board of the nurse has
been an expense to you."

"I prefer," rejoined the Deacon, "that the bill should be sent to me."

"Well," said Quincy, to close the discussion, "I will ask him to send
you one;" mentally resolving, when it was sent, it would be a receipted
one.

Quincy received a hearty welcome from Mrs. Mason, who said the nurse had
her things packed and was all ready to go. He then told Mrs. Mason that
he had a message for Miss Mason from Mr. 'Zekiel Pettengill, and Mrs.
Mason said she would send Huldy to the parlor at once. Huldy greeted
Quincy with a happy face and without any show of confusion.

"I had a long talk with Mr. Pettengill," said Quincy, "and he has
induced me to become a conspirator. The first act in our comedy is to
ask you if you will ride over to Eastborough Centre this morning with
the nurse and myself, and get a little fresh air?"

"I should be delighted," said Huldy, "if you can wait long enough for me
to dress."

"That's what I came early for," remarked Quincy. "How long will it take
you?"

"Fifteen minutes," said Huldy.

"It is now half-past seven," remarked Quincy, looking at his watch. "You
mean you will be ready by quarter of nine?"

"No," said Huldy, with a flash of her eyes, "I am no city lady. I am a
plain, country girl, and I mean just one-quarter of an hour. You can
time me, Mr. Sawyer;" and she ran gayly out of the room.

Quincy looked out of the window and saw that Hiram had put the nurse's
heavy valise on the front seat of the carryall. The nurse herself was
standing by