“I don’t in the least approve of their going,” Virginia said to her companion, “but I think we should accompany them. I’d be terribly worried if they went alone.”
Micky, who knew that Betsy wished to remain there until the sleigh returned, had brought his team to a very slow walk, and so Virginia, Megsy and Sally had no trouble whatever in stepping from the low step to the road. If the other girls were curious, they had no time to make inquiries for the young driver at once whipped up his horses and was soon close behind his father’s sleigh.
“We must find a wider hole in the hedge if we are all to get through,” Virginia remarked. Betsy, hand in hand with Babs, was wading through unbroken drifts. It was their intention to follow the hedge to the back of the large estate. Micky had told them that it would be an hour, at least, and perhaps longer, before he would be returning, and in that time surely they ought to be able to closely examine the grounds and the outside of the old house. Suddenly Betsy cried out joyfully, and turning, she beckoned to the three who were following in the track they had made.
“Goody for us!” Babs exclaimed. “One of the cypress trees in the hedge is dead and we can easily break through here.”
Betsy was already doing this and in a few moments, with united effort, a narrow passage appeared.
“Ooh!” Megsy shuddered when they all stood within the high hedge. “How dismal and silent it is, except for the sighing of the little wind in the pine trees.”
“Follow me,” Betsy called over her shoulder. “I’ll take you to the circling drive. It’s blown clear of snow and leads right up to the old house.”
Margaret glanced at her wrist watch. “It’s three now. In half an hour we must start back for the main road. I certainly wouldn’t want to be here after dark, and the twilight comes so early these days.”
“I can just imagine how lovely it must have been here once upon a time,” Virginia said. “That old summer house is covered with rose vines. Can’t you picture how pretty it will be in June?”
“Let’s all come over and see it then, shall we?” Sally suggested.