14000 MILES 



as he ever would be. The best of care was promised, and 

 to make sure of hitting the right place, the faithful 

 hostler compressed both legs. 



We established ourselves comfortably in a large front 

 room facing Monadnock, a mountain we never tire of, 

 and tried to enjoy as much as other people do who go to 

 places to stay, instead of being always on the wing as we 

 are. The afternoon and evening passed pleasantly, 

 although we occasionally grew retrospective and thought 

 of our usual good time and how some people would say, 

 "That comes of starting on Friday." Should we have to 

 go home? and where would we be if Charlie had not 

 been lame? Sunday morning we went quietly into the 

 back pew of the little church across the green ; then we 

 read and read, and after that we read some more. Char- 

 lie seemed a little better at night, and Monday morning 

 the landlord said he thought it would be well to drive 

 him. (We think he expected parties to take our room.) 



We started towards East Jaffrey, and tried to think he 

 was better, but it was of no use. There was serious 

 trouble somewhere. Having the day before us, we con- 

 cluded to try to get to Peterboro, an easy drive if a man 

 had not carelessly given us a wrong direction, which 

 took us a long way over hard hills instead of along the 

 pretty river road. Poor Charlie ! he did his best ; and so 

 did we, for, despite the heat, we walked much of the way 

 and dragged him. We looked and felt forlorn as lost 

 children, but our wits were sharpened by our 

 discouragements, and we concluded he had sand or 

 gravel under his shoe. We did wish we had had a black- 

 smith instead of a compress at Jaffrey! 



51 



