Until that moment Diantha had not been sure that she would, but the
quaver in Phineas's voice decided her.

"Wouldn't I? You jest wait an' see!"

And Phineas did wait--and he did see. He saw Diantha, not a week later,
pink-cheeked and bright-eyed, sitting by the side of Colonel Smith in
that hated automobile. Nor did he stop to consider that Diantha was only
one of a dozen upon whom Colonel Smith, in the enthusiasm of his new
possession, was pleased to bestow that attention. To Phineas it could
mean but one thing; and he did not change his opinion when he heard
Diantha's account of the ride.

"It was perfectly lovely," she breathed. "Oh, Phineas, it was jest like
flyin'!"

"'Flyin'!'" Phineas could say no more. He felt as if he were choking,--
choking with the dust raised by Dolly's plodding hoofs.

"An' the trees an' the houses swept by like ghosts," continued Diantha.
"Why, Phineas, I could 'a' rode on an' on furever!"

Before the ecstatic rapture in Diantha's face Phineas went down in
defeat. Without one word he turned away--but in his heart he registered
a solemn vow: he, too, would have an automobile; he, too, would make
Diantha wish to ride on and on forever!

Arduous days came then to Phineas. Phineas was not a rich man. He had
enough for his modest wants, but until now those wants had not included
an automobile--until now he had not known that Diantha wished to fly.