And tired as she was, drowsy and longing for rest, she sat by the fire until the clock struck one and the lamp burned low, rather than awaken the sleeping child. At length she went out to look at him, and sat down on the edge of the sofa, thinking to waken him; but as she saw his tired little face and quiet, even breathing, she waited and still kept her uncomfortable seat, till her cramped position forced her to move. The boy stirred as she touched his hand.
"What time is it? Have I been asleep?" he inquired, stretching himself.
"You certainly have. It is nearly two in the morning," answered Bess, as he rose.
"Oh, Miss Bess! And you sat here with me? How could you? What a pig I am!" said the boy remorsefully. Then, putting his hands on her shoulders as she still sat there, too weary to move: "How awfully good you are to me!" he said. "I wish I could live with you always."
And Bess thought no more of her weariness, as they went up the stairs together.
The next morning, Wednesday, found the snow still falling, but the clouds looked broken, and by noon some stray sunbeams were showing themselves here and there. As the Carters sat at their late lunch, their fourth consecutive meal of codfish, a scramble and clatter were heard at the front door, and the next moment Rob came tumbling in, with his pockets filled with bundles of all shapes and sizes.
"Hullo!" he shouted. "Where are you all? Want some grub?"
"Where did you come from, and how in the world did you get here?" asked his aunt.
"On my feet, aunty. I have taken to snowshoeing; want to see my runners?" And, with great pride, Rob led them to the door, and exhibited a pair of long, narrow boards, slightly turned up at one end, and furnished midway with a strap of heavy leather to support the toe.
"The genuine Norwegian article," he explained. "That man from out West, that civil engineer, you know, says they use them for their camping parties in the blizzards. He let me see his, so I made these. It's lots of fun, see?" and he went striding away over the four feet of snow as if it were covered with an icy crust. Then he came back, took off his coat, and prepared to tell his adventures.