"What thing, ma'am?" I asked.

"To tear about alone on that great grey pony."

"Yes, ma'am," I said.

"You think it _was_ proper?" said Miss Pinshon, coolly. "Whom
had you with you?"

"Nobody was riding with me."

"Your cousin was there?"

"No, ma'am."

"Who then?"

"I had Uncle Darry. I was only riding up and down the dell."

"The coachman! And were you riding up and down through the
quarters all the afternoon?"

"No, ma'am."

"What were you doing the rest of the time?"

"I was going about —" I hesitated.

"About where?"