It 's almost the only sport I have left . I 'm eighty and most things have lost their flavour , except bossing Robert . '' Our democrat and ponies were outside the door , but Robert was nowhere to be seen ; in fact , we never saw him again . `` I do wish , '' said Kate , plucking up what little spirit she had left , `` that you would let us -- ah -- uh '' -- Kate quailed before Mrs. Matilda Pitman 's eye -- `` recompense you for our entertainment . '' `` Mrs. Matilda Pitman said before -- and meant it -- that she does n't take pay for entertaining strangers , nor let other people where she lives do it , much as their meanness would like to do it . '' We got away . The sulky Amelia had vanished , and there was nobody to see us off except Mrs. Matilda Pitman . `` Do n't forget to call the next time you come this way , '' she said cheerfully , waving her knitting at us . `` I hope you 'll get safe to Bothwell . If I was ten years younger I vow I 'd pack a grip and go along with you . I like your spunk . Most of the girls nowadays is such timid , skeery critters . When I was a girl I was n't afraid of nothing or nobody . '' We said and did nothing until we had driven out of sight and earshot . Then Kate laid down the reins and laughed until the tears came . `` Oh , Phil , Phil , will you ever forget this adventure ? '' she gasped . `` I shall never forget Mrs. Matilda Pitman , '' I said emphatically . We had no further adventures that day . Robert Chapman had fixed the tongue so well -- probably under Mrs. Matilda Pitman 's watchful eyes -- that we could drive as fast as we liked ; and we made good progress .
But when we pitched camp that night Kate scanned the sky XXXXX an anxious expression .
If at before for in of that to under with