At breakfast, the boys discussed the question of the weather, and the snow very earnestly. They wanted the snow to last, first, that they might enjoy the sport of coasting, and then, that they might have a sleigh ride.
“How I should like a sleigh-ride,” exclaimed Jessie, with brightening eyes.
“Guess you won’t have it just yet,” said Hugh. “The sun will melt the snow from the roads before noon, I guess, and its too light and loose for good sleighing this morning.”
“I’m sorry, for I do want to coast, and to ride in a sleigh, so much—ever so much,” said Jessie, sighing, and looking very sober—for her.
“Can’t you coast this morning, with the boys?” inquired Mr. Carlton.
“We don’t want her,” said Hugh, snappishly. “Girls are always in the way when coasting is going on.”
“Ill-natured as ever, I see, Master Hugh,” observed Uncle Morris.
“I want her,” said Guy, “and will take her this afternoon, if the snow don’t melt.”
Jessie looked at her brother with eyes that seemed to say, “What a dear, good brother you are!” Mr. Carlton asked:
“But why not take her this morning, Guy, before the snow melts?”