"And is the-ah--the road good?"

"'Bout as you see it most of the way. Macadam ain't so bad, but if you
step off it you're liable to go under for the third time."

"Dear me! Dear me!"

"Dear me's right, I cal'late. But what do you want to go to the Centre
for? Hall don't live there. He lives on ahead here--at East Wellmouth."

"Yes--that's true, that's true. So you said. But the South Wellmouth
station man--"

"Oh, never mind Nelse Howard. He's a smart Aleck and talks too much,
anyhow. He made a mistake, that's all. Now I tell you, Mister, I'm goin'
to East Wellmouth myself. Course I don't make a business of carryin'
passengers and this trip is goin' to be some out of my way. Gasoline and
ile are pretty expensive these days, too, but--Eh? What say?"

The pale face beneath the derby hat for the first time showed a ray of
hope. The eyes behind the spectacles were eager.

"I--I didn't say anything, I believe," was the hurried answer, "but I
should like to say that--that if you COULD find it possible to take me
with you in your car--if you COULD do me so great a favor, I should be
only too happy to pay for the privilege. Pay--ah--almost anything. I
am--I have not been well and I fatigue easily. If you could--"

Mr. Pulcifer's hand descended squarely upon the shoulder of the dark