`` It 's downright cruelty , that 's what it is , to keep her penned up like that . You might as well coop up a lark in a hen-house and expect it to thrive and sing . I 'd like to give that brother of hers a piece of my mind . '' When he lifted her up to the high seat of his express wagon that afternoon he said , `` Now , I want you to do something . Just shut your eyes and do n't open them again until I tell you to . '' Jessamine laughed and obeyed . Finally she heard him say , `` Look . '' Jessamine opened her eyes with a little cry . They were on a remote country road , cool and dim and quiet , in the very heart of the beech woods . Long banners of light fell athwart the grey boles . Along the roadsides grew sheets of feathery ferns . Above the sky was gloriously blue . The air was sweet with the wild woodsy smell of the forest . Jessamine lifted and clasped her hands in rapture . `` Oh , how lovely ! '' `` Do you know where we 're going ? '' said Mr. Bell delightedly . `` Out to my farm at Pine Pastures . My aunt keeps house for me , and she 'll be real glad to see you . You 're just going to have a real good time this afternoon . ''
They had a delightful drive to begin with , and presently Mr. XXXXX turned into a wide lane .
Bell Jessamine afternoon boles cruelty hen-house roadsides sky time wagon