Lone Star was taking the road easily, after his spurt of speed.
The lines lay loosely on the Colonel's knee.

"Is this David some relative of yours?" he asked.

"OH, no, sir! I've only known him a few weeks, since he was
knocked down by a runaway horse, and hurt so badly. He's David
Collins, and I'm Polly May. Dr. Dudley took me up to see him,
because he needed cheering up; but now he has bad turns with his
heart, and I can't go. He's a lovely boy. It was so good of you
to take me to catch the Doctor--I don't know what I should have
done if you had n't! And did n't your horse go fast! I never saw
a horse go so fast before. I think he's beautiful; don't you?"

"I like him." The Colonel smiled down into Polly's eyes quite as
if they were old friends. "Suppose I take you for a little longer
drive--would your friends mind?"

"Oh, thank you!" Polly began, "I'd love it!" Then she stopped,
with sudden recollection. "I guess I can't, though--I'd
forgotten all about it!--I must go back, and finish being
punished."

Colonel Gresham laughed outright, so Polly laughed too.

"I made an awful mistake," she explained; "I sprayed some
kerosene all around, instead of de-sodarizer."

The Colonel was grave for a polite moment. Then, "And you did
n't smell it?" he laughed.