It was like Aunt Kipp to invite her poor relations to go and `` nip their own noses off , '' as she elegantly expressed it . It was a party of pleasure that just suited her , for all the fun was on her side . She grew affable at once , was quite pressing in her invitation , regretted that Sophy was too busy to go , praised Polly 's hat ; and professed herself quite satisfied with `` that dear boy '' for a driver . The `` dear boy '' distorted his young countenance frightfully behind her back , but found a balm for every wound in the delight of being commander of the expedition . The big carryall appeared , and , with much creaking and swaying Mrs. Kipp was got into the back seat , where the big bonnet gloomed like a thunder-cloud . Polly , in a high state of indignation , which only made her look ten times prettier , sat in front with Toady , who was a sight to see as he drove off with his short legs planted against the boot , his elbows squared , and the big whip scientifically cracking now and then . Away they went , leaving poor Mrs. Snow to bewail herself dismally after she had smiled and nodded them out of sight . `` Do n't go over any bridges or railroad crossings or by any saw-mills , '' said the old lady , as if the town could be suddenly remodelled to suit her taste . `` Yes 'm , '' returned Toady , with a crack which would have done honor to a French postilion . It was a fine day , and the young people would have enjoyed the ride in spite of the breakers ahead , if Aunt Kipp had n't entertained the girl with a glowing account of the splendors of her own wedding , and aggravated the boy by frequent pokes and directions in the art of driving , of which she was of course , profoundly ignorant . Polly could n't restrain a tear or two , in thinking of her own poor little prospects , and Toady was goaded to desperation . `` I 'll give her a regular shaking up ; it 'll make her hold her tongue and do her good , '' he said to himself , as a stony hill sloped temptingly before him . A sly chuck , and some mysterious manoeuvre with the reins , and Bob started off at a brisk trot , as if he objected to the old lady as much as her mischievous little nephew . `` Hold him in ! Keep a taut rein ! Lord ' a mercy , he 's running away ! '' shrieked Aunt Kipp , or tried to shriek , for the bouncing and bumping jerked the words out of her mouth with ludicrous incoherency . `` I am holding him , but he will go , '' said Toady , with a wicked triumph in his eye as he glanced back at Polly . The next minute the words were quite true ; for , as he spoke , two or three distracted hens flew squalling over the wall and scattered about , under , over , and before the horse , as only distracted hens could do . It was too much for Bob 's nerves ; and , taking matters into his own hands , or feet , rather , he broke into a run , and rattled the old lady over the stones with a velocity which left her speechless .
XXXXX laughed , and Toady chuckled , as they caught glimpses of the awful bonnet vibrating wildly in the background , and felt the frantic clutchings of the old lady 's hands .
Bob Polly Sophy day incoherency left manoeuvre postilion splendors thunder-cloud