That night Farmer Wills' prediction came true; the wind died away and it began to freeze. In the morning, the faint beams of the December sun fell on a world white and beautiful under the touch of the frost king, and everyone declared the expected spell of severe weather had set in at last.
Miss Long, well wrapped up in anticipation of a cold journey, took her departure from Haldon Hall soon after breakfast, bearing with her the heart-felt good wishes of the whole household, and the substantial gift of a big hamper, laden with good things, to enrich her mother's larder at home.
"Now we can do as we please for a whole month," said Rupert, capering with delight as the gig, driven by Mr. Coker with Miss Long at his side, disappeared from sight; "the holidays have really begun."
"One would think you are glad she is gone," Lilian told him reproachfully.
"Well, so I am!" he replied, with a laugh. "Oh, you needn't look at me like that, Nellie. I'm as fond of Miss Long as you are; but think what a whole month without lessons means, with no one to say 'You mustn't do this,' or 'You mustn't do that'! What a splendid time we'll have! The Christmas tree is to be cut afternoon. Bob and I are going to see it felled, and you girls can come too, if you like."
"I am going to the village with mother," said Lilian; "but I daresay Nellie will like to see the tree cut down."
"Oh, yes!" cried Nellie eagerly, "I'd far rather go with the boys."
[CHAPTER V.]
AN AFTERNOON'S EXPERIENCES.
HALDON village consisted of about a score of thatched cottages, dotted around a large square of waste ground always spoken of as Haldon Green. At one side of the Green was the parish church. Close by, between the churchyard and the vicarage, was the schoolroom, a modern red brick building where the entertainment for the villagers was to be held on Christmas Eve.