relations with Mrs. Farrington and
Elise that it did not seem necessary to make remarks for the sake of
keeping up the conversation. There was much pleasant chat and discussion
as they passed points of interest or diverting scenes, but then again
there were occasional pauses when they all gave themselves up to the
enjoyment of the delightful motion of the car.

Patty began to realise what was meant by the phrase, "automobile
elation." She seemed to feel an uplifting of her spirit, and a strange
thrill of exquisite happiness, while all trace of nervousness or petty
worry was brushed away like a cobweb.

Her lungs seemed filled with pure air, and further, she had a whimsical
sense that she was breathing the very blue of the sky.

She said this to Mrs. Farrington, and that lady smiled as she answered,
"That's right, Patty; if you feel that way, you are a true motorist. Not
everyone does. There are some who only look upon a motor-car as a machine
to transport them from one place to another, but to me it is the very
fairyland of motion."

Patty's eyes shone in sympathy with this idea, but Roger turned around
laughingly, and said, "You'd better be careful how you breathe the blue
sky, Patty, for there's a little cloud over there that may stick in your
throat."

Patty looked at the tiny white cloud, and responded, "If you go much
faster, Roger, I'm afraid we'll fly right up there, and run over that
poor little cloud."

"Let's do it," said Roger. "There's no fine for running over a cloud, is
there, Dad?"

As he spoke, Roger put on a higher speed, and then they flew so fast that
Patty began to be almost frightened. But her fear did not last long, for
in a moment the great car gave a kind of a groan, and then a snort, and
then a wheeze, and stopped; not suddenly, but with a provokingly
determined slowness, that seemed to imply no intention of moving on
again. After a moment the great wheels ceased to revolve, and the car
stood stubbornly still, while Mr. Farrington and Roger looked at each
other, with faces of comical dismay.

"We're in for it!" said Mr. Farrington, in a resigned tone.

"Then we must get out for it!" said Roger, as he jumped down from his
seat, and opened the tool-chest.

Mrs. Farrington groaned. "Now, you see, Patty," she said, "how the car
lives up to its name. I hoped this wouldn't happen so soon."

"What is the matter?" asked Patty. "Why doesn't it go?"

"Patty," said Elise, looking at her sol