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 with an anxious expression . `` I do n't like the look of it , '' she said . `` I 'm afraid we 're going to have a bad day tomorrow . '' * * * * * We had . When we awakened in the morning rain was pouring down .
This in itself might not have prevented us from travelling , but the state XXXXX the trail did .
If as except in of that to under until with