When she had touched the tree three times, Polly made an interesting discovery—her feet were where they ought to be, right in her shoes. Better, they felt comfortable, and even warm.
By the time they had completed the six trips, every one was in a glow—even Margy was smiling.
“Now another hour, and we’ll be home,” said Mr. Marley. “Tumble in, children, and we’ll be home before you know it.”
The state road provided much easier going. There had been more travel over it since the storm, and occasionally they passed a sleigh or a motor truck. But the horse was sadly tired before they came to River Bend, and they found it easy to believe when reports came in from the surrounding country that the storm had been the worst, from the point of view of blocking traffic, that the country had experienced in years.
“Are you frozen? Are you hungry? Where on earth did you stay all night? Are you sure you haven’t frozen your ears or your toes?” cried the two mothers together, flying down the steps as the sleigh at last drew up before the Marley house.
And even after they had heard the story and assured themselves that none of the six had suffered from hunger or exposure, the mothers couldn’t rest. They heard the story over and over again, and Mrs. Marley made her husband promise to take her to see Mrs. Wicks as soon as the roads were fairly open. Mrs. Larue said she would go, too, and long after the children were in bed they sat up planning the kind of box they would pack and what they would put in it to please the old lady.
CHAPTER XXV
THE LAST OF THE SNOWMAN
It seemed like another Christmas to the members of the Riddle Club, the day after their experience in getting home. Every one was so glad to see them that they were allowed to please themselves pretty much, till Ward made himself sick with too much candy and Margy and Fred quarreled because they wanted to go skating and coasting at the same time; that is, each wanted the other to do his or her way.
“Say, it’s beginning to melt,” Fred reported, coming into the house for lunch. “Hear it drip!”
Mrs. Marley had invited Jess and Ward, and the six chums were together at the table.