her couch across the seats, so that her shoulders rested against one
side of the van and her feet against the other. Humility climbed in
after her; but Taffy, to his joy, was given a seat outside the box.

"C'k!"--they were off.

As they crawled up the street a few townspeople paused on the
pavement and waved farewells. At the top of the town they overtook
three sailor-boys, with bundles, who climbed up and perched
themselves a-top of the van, on the luggage.

On they went again. There were two horses--a roan and a grey.
Taffy had never before looked down on the back of a horse, and
Joby's horses astonished him; they were so broad behind, and so
narrow at the shoulders. He wanted to ask if the shape were at all
common, but felt shy. He stole a glance at the silver ring in Joby's
left ear, and blushed when Joby turned and caught him.

"Here, catch hold!" said Joby handing him the whip. "Only you
mustn't use it too fierce."

"Thank you."

"I suppose you'll be a scholar, like your father? Can ee spell?"

"Yes."

"Cipher?"

"Yes."