Page:Life's little ironies (1894).pdf/214

"'Milly’s there, too, father.’

“Milly? Where?

"'Under the tarpaulin! Yes; the truth is, father,

I've got rather into a nunny-watch, Pm afeard! Unity Sallet is there, too—yes, under the other end of the tarpaulin. All three are in that wagon, and what to do with ’em I know no more tham the dead. The best plan is, as Pm thinking, to speak out loud and plain to one of 'em before the rest, and that will settle it ; not but what "twill cause ’em to kick up a bit of a miff, for certain, Now, which would you marry, father, if you was in my place ?”

“Whichever of ’em did ot ask to ride with thee.’

"'That was Milly, I’m bound to say, aa she only mounted by my invitation, But Milly—

"'Then stick to Milly, she’s the best. .. . But look at that!

“ His father pointed towards the wagon. ‘She can’t hold that horse in. You shouldn’t have left the reins in her hands. Run on and take the horse's head, or there'll be some accident to them maids !'

"Tony's horse, in fact, in spite of Hannah's tugging at the reins, had started on his way at a brisk walking pace, being very anxious to get back to the atabie, for he had had a long day out. Without another word, Tony rushed away from his father to overtake the horse,

“Now, of ail things that could have happened to wean him from Milly, there waa nothing so powerful as his father’s recommending her. No; it could not be Milly, after all, Hannah must be the one, since he could not marry all three. This he thought while running after the wagon. But queer things were happening inside it.

“It was, of course, Milly who had screamed under the tarpaulin, being obliged to let off her bitter rage