“Good afternoon, everybody,” he said gaily, lifting his cap. “This is just fine of you to take me along.”
“Let Ben come in back here with me,” said Laura, “and that will give Jessie a chance to sit in front. I know she always likes to be up ahead,” and Laura smiled knowingly.
“Suits me,” answered Ben, quickly; and then assisted Jessie to make the change, which, however, the miss did not undertake without blushing, for it may as well be admitted here Jessie thought as much of Dave as he did of her.
“Oh, Dave, do you think the grays will behave 7 themselves to-day?” asked the girl, partly to conceal her embarrassment.
“I’m going to make them behave,” he answered, sturdily.
“I don’t believe they have been out of the stable for several days. You know we don’t use the horses nearly as much as we used to, before we got the automobile.”
“I’ll watch them.” Dave looked behind him. “All right back there?”
“Yes,” answered his sister. “But please don’t drive too fast.”
“I don’t believe sleighing will seem too fast after the riding we have been doing in the auto,” answered the brother. He took up the reins again, and once more the turnout sped along the highway.
They made a turn, passed along the main street of Crumville, and also passed the large Wadsworth jewelry works, and then took to a road leading to Coburntown, some miles distant. The air was cold but clear, with the bright sunshine sparkling on the snow, and all of the young people were in the best of humor.