“Nor I, for the matter of that, but it’s putting this young popinjay over our heads. They’ll be getting thick together, and the boy will be pulling our noses out of joint.” “If he does, I’ll pull his out of joint,” muttered Frost. “Bide your time, Frost. We’ll put our heads together and see if we can’t send him packing.” After dinner Mrs. Granville expressed a desire, as it was a fine day, to go out for a drive. “I shall be very happy to drive you,” said Paul, cheerfully. “You are sure you can drive?” asked the old lady, anxiously. “I should smile,” Paul was about to reply, when it occurred to him that this form of expression did not sound exactly proper. “I am used to driving, ma’am,” he said, instead. “Then about two o’clock you may go out to the barn and ask Frost to harness up.” “O, I’ll do that, Mrs. Granville.” When he went out to the barn, he found Frost Mercer sitting at his ease, engaged at his favorite business of smoking a pipe. “I suppose you are Frost,” he said, with a smile. “I am Mr. Mercer,” answered Frost, in a forbidding tone. “I beg your pardon. I will call you Mr. Mercer, if you prefer it. I am Paul Parton.” “I don’t know as that concerns me,” said Frost, staring at Paul in an unfriendly manner. “It is just as well you should know my name, as I am living in the house,” said Paul, independently. “Mrs. Granville wishes me to drive her out If you will show me what carriage she uses and so forth, I will harness up.” This was, on the whole, satisfactory to Frost, as he would not have the trouble of harnessing. “There’s the carriage,” he said, “and there’s the harness. You can find the horses if you use your eyes.” “Thank you; you are very obliging,” said Paul, with a little touch of sarcasm. “The old lady doesn’t seem to value her neck,” observed Frost. “What makes you think so?” “In letting you drive her.” “O, that’s it. I think I shall bring her back safe.” “I don’t know about that. You’re a city boy, ain’t you?” “Yes.” “What chance have you had to learn about horses?” “I know a little about them.” “Well, I wash my hands of it. If the team is upset, Mrs. Granville will have herself to blame for it.” “I don’t think you need to worry,” said Paul. “I’ll promise to bring her back safe.” He set to work to harness the horses. Frost surveyed him with critical eyes, but he could see no evidence of ignorance on Paul’s part. He did his work quickly and skillfully, and then, opening wide the barn doors, led the horses out. Then he jumped into the carriage and was about to drive to the house. “Come back and shut the barn doors!” called out Frost from his rocking chair. Paul turned and looked back. “I don’t think it will do you any harm to do that yourself,” he said, “if you can spare the time from smoking.” “Hey, what’s that?” demanded Frost, angrily. “I don’t think it will be necessary to repeat it,” said Paul, coolly; “you heard me.” “None of yer sass, boy!” said Frost, wrathfully.