"That's why I wanted to get a chance to drive her by myself for once! She went beautifully! out on the Lake road I just let her loose!" For the moment, pride in her recent performance routed all contrition from Patience's voice--"I tell you, folks I passed just stared!" "Patience, how--" "I wasn't scared the least bit; and, of course, Bedelia knew it. Uncle Jerry says they always know when you're scared, and if Mr. Allen is the most up in history of any man in Vermont, Uncle Jerry is the most in horses." Hilary felt that the conversation was hardly proceeding upon the lines her mother would have approved of, especially under present circumstances. "That has nothing to do with it, you know, Patience," she said, striving to be properly severe. "I think it has--everything. I think it's nice not being scared of things. You're sort of timid 'bout things, aren't you, Hilary?" Hilary made a movement to rise. "Oh, please," Patience begged. "It's going to be such a dreadful long afternoon--all alone." "But I can't stay, mother would not want--" "Just for a minute. I--I want to tell you something. I--coming back, I met Jane, and I gave her a lift home--and she did love it so--she says she's never ridden before behind a horse that really went as if it enjoyed it as much as she did. That was some good out of being bad, wasn't it? And--I told you--ever'n' ever so long ago, that I was mighty sure Jane'd just be tickled to death to belong to our club. I think you might ask her--I don't see why she shouldn't like Seeing Winton, same's we do--she doesn't ever have fun--and she'll be dead pretty soon. She's getting along, Jane is--it'd make me mad's anything to have to die 'fore I'd had any fun to speak of. Jane's really very good company--when you draw her out--she just needs drawing out--Jane does. Seems to me, she remembers every funeral and wedding and everything--that's ever taken place in Winton." Patience stopped, sheer out of breath, but there was an oddly serious look on her little eager face. Hilary stroked back the tangled red curls. "Maybe you're right, Patty; maybe we have been selfish with our good times. I'll have to go now, dear. You--I may tell mother--that you are sorry--truly, Patty?" Patience nodded. "But I reckon, it's a good deal on account of Shirley's turn," she explained. Hilary bit her lip. "You don't suppose you could fix that up with mother? You're pretty good at fixing things up with mother, Hilary." "Since how long?" Hilary laughed, but when she had closed the door, she opened it again to stick her head in. "I'll try, Patty, at any rate," she promised. She went down-stairs rather thoughtful. Mrs. Shaw was busy in the study and Pauline had gone out on an errand. Hilary went up-stairs again, going to sit by one of the side windows in the "new room."