It came within fifteen minutes, in showery gusts at first. The captain urged the Foam Flake onward as fast as possible, but that quadruped had already over-expended his stock of energy and shouts and slaps meant nothing to him. For a short time Sears chatted and laughed, but then he relapsed into silence. Elizabeth, watching him fearfully, caught, as the buggy bounced over a loose stone, a smothered exclamation, first cousin to a groan. "I knew it!" she cried. "You _are_ hurt, Cap'n Kendrick." "No, no, I'm not," hastily. "It's--it's those confounded spliced spars of mine. They're a little weak yet, I presume likely." "Of course they are. Oh, I'm _so_ sorry. Won't you let me drive?" "I should say not. I'm not quite ready for the scrap heap yet. And if I couldn't steer this Noah's ark I should be.... Hello! here's another craft at sea." Another vehicle was ahead of them in the road, coming toward them. Sears pulled out to permit it to pass. But the driver of the other buggy hailed as the horses' heads came abreast. "Elizabeth," he shouted, "is that you?" Miss Berry's surprise showed in her voice. "Why, George!" she cried. "Where in the world are you going?" The horses stopped. Kent leaned forward. "Going?" he repeated. "Why, I was going after you, of course. Are you wet through?" He seemed somewhat irritated, so the captain thought. "No, indeed," replied Elizabeth. "I am all right. But why did you come after me? Didn't they tell you I was with Cap'n Kendrick?" "_They_ told me--yes. But why didn't _you_ tell me you were going to Orham? I would have driven you over; you know I would." "You were at work at the store." "Well, I could have taken the afternoon off.... But there! no use talking about it out here in this rain. Come on.... Oh, wait until I turn around. Drive ahead a little, will you?" This was the first time he had spoken to Sears, and even then his tone was not too gracious. The captain drove on a few steps, as requested, and, a moment later, Kent's equipage, now headed in their direction, was alongside once more. "Whoa!" he shouted, and both horses stopped. "Come on, Elizabeth," urged the young man, briskly. "Wait, I'll help you." He sprang out of his buggy and approached theirs. "Come on," he said, again. "Quick! It is going to rain harder." Elizabeth did not move. "But I'm not going with you, George," she said quietly. He stared at her. "Not going with me?" he repeated. "Why, of course you are. I've come on purpose for you." "I'm sorry. You shouldn't have done it. You knew I would be all right with Cap'n Kendrick." "I didn't even know you were going with him. You didn't say you were going at all. If you had I----" "You would have taken another afternoon's holiday. And you know what Mr. Bassett said about the last one."