'Dimpey!' said he, 'you musn't think I'm jealous of Ned; I want to see you happy, but I _am_ sorry he asked you first, for it's a dangerous road up the mountain, and Ned _does_ drive too reckless, that's a fact; I hope he don't mean to take them young sorrels of his?' Now, I know I ought to have told Race the whole truth; but I was so afraid he might say something to father; I only answered: 'Oh, I guess Ned will be careful enough; he goes up to High Farm very often, and his horses are used to the road.' 'Yes,' said Race; 'but the worst part is past High Farm; however, perhaps he'll be careful; so don't say that I interfered, Dimpey; for I don't want any words with Ned.' He didn't say anything after that until we got to our gate, and then he spoke out so sudden, he made me start. 'Dimpey, if you knew--' I don't know what he meant to say, for father was sitting on the doorstep, and called out: 'Is that _you_, Polly?' 'It's Dimpey, father,' said I. 'Widow Burt is very sick, and needs watchers; and Mrs. Miller and Polly Jane are going to sit up with her to-night.' So we came in; and after talking a few minutes with father, Race went home. I was up bright and early next morning, and worked as smart as I could to get things out of the way before Polly Jane came; for I knew she'd be tired, and she always would take hold till the work was done, no matter _how_ tired she was. While I was ironing, Calanthy went in the milkroom to work over the butter, so I had the kitchen to myself; and having no one to talk to me, I kept thinking of all that happened the night before. I had my own share of curiosity, and I couldn't help wondering what Race Miller had been going to say when father interrupted him: 'If I only knew'--what? Was it something about Ned, or himself? I turned it over in my mind twenty times, like a sheet of paper; but the same side always came up, and there was nothing on it.