achman" (in Cherryvale argot known as
"the hired man"), was wont to take convalescent patients for an airing.
Tess realized the possible lack of dignity attendant upon having to
sit in the driver's elevated seat; but she had no choice, and consoled
herself by terming it "the box."

A more serious difficulty presented itself in the matter of suitable
steeds. One would have preferred a tandem of bright bays or, failing
these, spirited ponies chafing at the bit and impatiently tossing their
long, waving manes. But one could hardly call old Ben a steed at all,
and he proved the only animal available that afternoon. Ben suffered
from a disability of his right rear leg which caused him to raise his
right haunch spasmodically when moving. The effect was rhythmic but
grotesque, much as if Ben thought he was turkey-trotting. Otherwise,
too, Ben was unlovely. His feet were by no means dainty, his coat was
a dirty looking dappled-white, and his mane so attenuated it needed a
toupee. As if appreciating his defects, Ben wore an apologetic,
almost timid, expression of countenance, which greatly belied his true
stubbornness of character.

Not yet aware of the turn-out they must put up with, about two
o'clock that afternoon Missy set out for Tess's house. She departed
unobtrusively by the back door and side gate. The reason for this almost
surreptitious leave-taking was in the package she carried under her arm.
It held her mother's best black silk skirt, which boasted a "sweep"; a
white waist of Aunt Nettie's; a piece of Chantilly lace which had once
been draped on mother's skirt but was destined, to-day, to become a
"mantilla"; and a magnificent "willow plume" snipped from Aunt Nettie's
Sunday hat. This plume, when tacked to Missy's broad leghorn, was
intended to be figuratively as well as literally the crowning feature of
her costume.

Tess, too, had made the most of her mother's absence at the Missionary
Society. Unfortunately Mrs. O'Neill had worn her black silk skirt, but
her blue dimity likewise boasted a "sweep." A bouquet of artificial
poppies (plucked from a hat of "the mater's") added a touch of colour to
Tess's corsage. And she, also, had acquired a "willow plume."

Of course it was Tess who had thought to provide burnt matches and
an extra poppy--artificial. The purpose of the former was to give a
"shadowy look" under the eyes; of the latter, moistened, to lend a "rosy
flush" to cheek and lip.

Missy was at first aver