Phineas was gone some time on his Boston trip. When he returned he
looked thin and worried. He started nervously at trivial noises, and his
eyes showed a furtive restlessness that quickly caused remark.
"Why, Phineas, you don't look well!" Diantha exclaimed when she saw him.
"Well? Oh, I'm well."
"An' did you buy it--that autymobile?"
"I did." Phineas's voice was triumphant. Diantha's eyes sparkled.
"Where is it?" she demanded.
"Comin'--next week."
"An' did you try 'em all, as you said you would?"
Phineas stirred; then he sighed.
"Well, I dunno," he acknowledged. "I hain't done nothin' but ride in 'em
since I went down--I know that. But there's such a powerful lot of 'em,
Dianthy; an' when they found out I wanted one, they all took hold an'
showed off their best p'ints--'demonstatin',' they called it. They raced
me up hill an' down hill, an' scooted me round corners till I didn't
know where I was. I didn't have a minute ter myself. An' they went fast,
Dianthy-powerful fast. I ain't real sure yet that I'm breathin'
natural."
"But it must have been grand, Phineas! I should have loved it!"
"Oh, it was, 'course!" assured Phineas, hastily.
"An' you'll take me ter ride, right away?" If Phineas hesitated it was
for only a moment.
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