about it? I would, if I were you."

"So I will, if it is necessary. I will speak to Guy first, and that
may be sufficient. I don't want to enter complaint against him if I
can help it."

"You didn't see Master Guy ride out, did you?"

"'No; I was reading. If I had seen him, I would have stopped him."

"I am afraid it wouldn't have done any good."

"Do you mean that he would have taken the buggy in spite of me?"
asked Hector, indignantly.

"I think he would have tried. To tell the truth, Master Hector, I
refused to get the buggy ready for him, till he brought out a paper
from his father commanding me to do it. Then, of course, I had no
choice."

Hector was staggered by this.

"Have you got the paper?" he asked.

"Yes," answered Edward, fumbling in his vest pocket.

He drew out a small scrap of notepaper, on which was written, "My
son, Guy, has my permission to ride out in the buggy. You will obey
me rather than Hector."