Jack on the Box Read Online Free PDF

was happy to be of service,” she said, inclining her head graciously.
    Jack was once again abashed, but this time not for his impertinence. He knew that the young lady had not intended to reprove him for what was no more than a friendly gesture. But he was angry with himself for forgetting his inferior station. The truth of the matter was, he thought, that he was having such fun talking to this unnamed lady that he could not remember to keep his mind on his job.
    Resolutely he turned back to work. Davies came hurrying up with the mail bag, but Jack showed him the young lady’s device which had allowed him to fix the reins in a trice. The older man grunted with satisfaction, and, with a respectful tip of his hat to Jack’s companion, returned the mail to its box in the boot. In a moment they were ready to proceed. Jack handed the lady back up onto the box and informed the rest of the passengers of their good fortune. Even the red-faced woman was happy to hear that they would not be obliged to wait untold hours for the horses to be brought back to the coach, and Davies expression revealed his relief.
    So Jack was able to resume his seat with the satisfaction that all was well and the impossible had been accomplished in a matter of minutes. Very little time had been lost, for the horses had bolted in the right direction and their run had almost compensated for the time the coach had been stopped. Still, Jack knew he must be careful not to risk straining the horses any further, so he kept them to an even pace for the remainder of that leg of the journey.
    He was glad to find that his inappropriate manners had not silenced his passenger entirely, for as soon as they started off again, she began to chat as easily as before. This time he was careful not to forget himself, and they passed the rest of the journey in companionable ease. The young lady expressed such a keen interest in his driving that he would have liked to offer her the chance to handle the ribbons, but he feared that such an offer might throw her out of countenance. As small as she was, he would have to have maintained his own hold on the reins, and that would not have done at all.
    In spite of the horses’ slow pace, it seemed to Jack that they arrived in Hockley Heath all too soon. His pretty passenger prepared to alight.
    “I could return your grandfather’s contraption to you on my way back through town,” he suggested—not without a flicker of hope—as they threaded their way through the village.
    She seemed to withdraw slightly again, as if she feared a resumption of his improper familiarity, but she gave him a polite smile. “That will not be necessary. I do not mean to travel again any time soon, but were I to do so, I am certain my grandfather would have another he could give me.”
    Jack tried to sound disinterested, but he found that it cost him no small effort. “That’s all right, then. But I must thank you again for coming to my assistance.”
    She inclined her head, and dimpling, said, “It will please my grandfather enormously to learn that I finally had use for it!”
    Jack grinned. “I’m certain it will.” Then, with a sense of deflation, he drew the horses to a stop a short distance before the inn where the horses were to be changed. “Is this where you wish to be set down?”
    “Yes, this will be all right.” He thought he heard a sigh when she said this, as if she had something unpleasant to face. But she did not meet his gaze, so he could not be certain.
    He jumped down from the box and helped her down. Then he stood uneasily, wishing to take her hand, but knowing that it could not be offered.
    “Farewell, miss,” he said, hoping that his voice did not betray his reluctance to see her go.
    “Goodbye—and thank you for taking me up.” She seemed to hesitate a moment, as if she would have said something else. Then, giving him a gentle smile, she turned and walked away.
    Jack stood and watched her retreating form until