"We stopped at 'Zekiel's and had a talk with Huldah, who came down to
the gate. Then we went on until we came to the Centre Road. When
Maude saw the long straight stretch ahead she cried, 'Let's have a
race!' Before I could remonstrate, she gave her horse a sharp cut
with the whip. He took the bit in his teeth and bolted. I rode on as
fast as I dared to, but when I reached Mason Street she was not in
sight."

"If she had come this way we should have seen or heard her," said
Quincy. "She must have gone towards Eastborough Centre. Come, Alice,
I will get the carryall. If she is hurt she will not be able to ride
her horse."

Leading her horse, Quincy and Alice went to the Hawkins House.

"He takes it pretty cool," said Strout to Hiram. "If she was my
sister I'd ring the church hell, make up a party, and go in search of
her dead body, for that's what they'll come back with."

"I don't take no stock in that," remarked Hiram. "She's used to
horses, and she's a mighty bright, independent girl. She'll come home
all right."

"No doubt she's independent enough," retorted Strout. "That runs in
the family. But the horse, it seems, was independent too. Perhaps the
Guv'nor will have a boxing match with him for his independence to a
Sawyer."

As Hiram went back into the store he said to himself: "That Strout's
only a half-converted sinner anyway. He'll never forget the thrashing