sourly at the Parnassus from the kitchen door.

"You going away in that--that 'bus, Mis' McGill?" she asked.

"Yes, Mrs. McNally," I said cheerfully.  Her use of the word
gave me an inspiration.  "That's one of the new jitney 'buses
we hear about.  He's going to take me to the station.  Don't
you worry about me.  I'm going for a holiday.  You get Mr.
McGill's dinner ready for him.  After dinner tell him there's
a note for him in the living-room."

"I tank that bane a queer 'bus," said Mrs. McNally, puzzled.
I think the excellent woman suspected an elopement.

I carried my suit case out to the Parnassus.  Pegasus stood
placidly between the shafts.  From within came sounds of
vigorous movement.  In a moment the little man burst out with
a bulging portmanteau in his hand.  He had a tweed cap slanted
on the back of his head.

"There!" he cried triumphantly.  "I've packed all my personal
effects clothes and so on--and everything else goes with the
transaction.  When I get on the train with this bag I'm a free
man, and hurrah for Brooklyn!  Lord, won't I be glad to get
back to the city!  I lived in Brooklyn once, and I haven't
been back there for ten years," he added plaintively.

"Here's the check," I said, handing it to him.  He flushed a
little, and looked at me rather shamefacedly.  "See here," he
said, "I hope you're not making a bad bargain?  I don't want
to take advantage of a lady.  If you think your brother...."

"I was going to buy a Ford, anyway," I said, "and it looks to
me as though this parcheesi of yours would be cheaper to run
than any flivver that ever came out of Detroit.  I want to
keep it away from Andrew and that's the main thing.  You give
me a receipt and we'll get away from here before he comes back."

He took the check without a word, hoisted his fat portmanteau
on the driver's seat, and then disappeared in the van.  In a
minute he reappeared.  On the back of one of his poetical
cards he had written:

Received from Miss McGill the sum of four hundred dollars in
exchange for one Travelling Parnassus in first class
condition, delivered to her this day, October 3rd, 19----.
                                    Signed
                                             ROGER MIFFLIN.

"Tell me," I said, "does your Parnassus--_my_ Parnassus,
rather--contain everything I'm likely to need?  Is it stocked
up with food and so on?"

"I was coming to that," he said.  "You'll find a fair supply
of stuff in the cupboard over the stove, though I used to get
most of my meals at farmhouses along the road.  I generally
read aloud to people as I go along, and they're often good for
a free meal.  It's amazing how little most of the country folk
know about books, and how pleased they are to hear good stuff.
Down in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania...."

"Well, how about the horse?" I said hastily, seeing him about
to embark on an anecdote.  It wasn't far short of eleven
o'clock, and I was anxious to get started.

"It might be well to take along some oats.  My supply's
about exhausted."

I filled a sack with oats in the stable and Mr. Mifflin showed
me where to hang it under the van.  Then in the kitchen I
loaded a big basket with provisions for an emergency:  a dozen
eggs, a jar of sliced bacon, butter, cheese, condensed milk,
tea, biscuits, jam, and two loaves of bread.  These Mr. Mifflin
stowed inside the van, Mrs. McNally watching in amazement.

"I tank this bane a queer picnic!" she said.  "Which way are
you going?  Mr. McGill, is he coming after you?"

"No," I insisted, "he's not coming.  I'm going off on a
holiday.  You get dinner for him and he won't worry about
anything until after that.  Tell him I've gone over to see
Mrs. Collins."

I climbed the little steps and entered my Parnassus with a
pleasant thrill of ownership.  The terrier on the bunk jumped
to the floor with a friendly wag of the tail.  I piled the
bunk with bedding and blankets of my own, shook out the
drawers which fitted above the bunk, and put into them what
few belongings I was taking with me.  And we were ready to start.

Redbeard was already sitting in front with the reins in hand.
I climbed up beside him.  The front seat was broad but
uncushioned, well sheltered by the peak of the van.  I gave a
quick glance around at the comfortable house under its elms
and maples--saw the big, red barn shining in the sun and the
pump under the grape arbour.  I waved good-bye to Mrs. McNally
who was watching us in silent amazement.  Pegasus threw her
solid weight against the traces and Parnassus swung round and
rolled past the gate.  We turned into the Redfield road.