Midnight
It did not take them long to make ready , and soon Midnight was speeding through the darkness . This time it was no leisurely jog , but the pace she well knew how to set when her master was forth on important business . Across the river she sped , then over hill and valley , which echoed with the merry jingle of the bells . For some time Parson John did not speak , and seemed to be intent solely upon Midnight . `` Dan , '' he remarked at length , as they wound slowly up a steep hill , `` it 's a mean thing , is n't it , to get many , many good things from someone , and never do anything in return , and not even to say ` Thank you ? ' '' The lad started at these words , and but for the darkness a flush would have been seen upon his face . `` What does the parson mean ? ''