'em," she had said--and all that he could give her was this "shiftless
old rig" that she so scorned. He remembered something else, too, and his
face flamed suddenly red. It was Colonel Smith who owned and drove that
automobile, and Colonel Smith, too, was a bachelor. What if--Instantly
in Phineas's soul rose a fierce jealousy.

"I like a hoss, myself," he said then, with some dignity. "I want
somethin' that's alive!"

Diantha laughed slyly. The danger was past, and she could afford to be
merry.

"Well, it strikes me that you come pretty near havin' somethin' that
wa'n't alive jest 'cause you had somethin' that was!" she
retorted. "Really, Phineas, I didn't s'pose Dolly could move so fast!"

Phineas bridled.

"Dolly knew how ter move--once," he rejoined grimly. "'Course nobody
pretends ter say she's young now, any more 'n we be," he finished with
some defiance. But he drooped visibly at Diantha's next words.

"Why, I don't feel old, Phineas, an' I ain't old, either. Look at
Colonel Smith; he's jest my age, an' he's got a autymobile. Mebbe I'll
have one some day."

To Phineas it seemed that a cold hand clutched his heart.

"Dianthy, you wouldn't really--ride in one!" he faltered.