They were off at last. There was a slight indecision, to be sure,
whether they would go backward or forward, and there was some hesitation
as to whether Diantha's geranium bed or the driveway would make the best
thoroughfare. But these little matters having been settled to the
apparent satisfaction of all concerned, the automobile rolled down the
driveway and out on to the main highway.
"Oh, ain't this grand!" murmured Diantha, drawing a long but somewhat
tremulous breath.
Phineas did not answer. His lips were tense, and his eyes were fixed on
the road ahead. For days now he had run the car himself, and he had been
given official assurance that he was quite capable of handling it; yet
here he was on his first ride with Diantha almost making a failure of
the whole thing at the start. Was he to be beaten--beaten by a senseless
motor car and Colonel Smith? At the thought Phineas lifted his chin and
put on more power.
"Oh, my! How f-fast we're goin'!" cried Diantha, close to his ear.
Phineas nodded.
"Who wants ter crawl?" he shouted; and the car leaped again at the touch
of his hand.
They were out of the town now, on a wide road that had few turns.
Occasionally they met a carriage or a wagon, but the frightened horses
and the no less frightened drivers gave the automobile a wide berth--
which was well; for the parallel tracks behind Phineas showed that the
car still had its moments of indecision as to the course to pursue.
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