It is hard to tell what Oscar would have thought if he had known how faithfully Sam was carrying out his wishes.
The two boys walked together until they arrived at Mrs. Preston's house, and there they separated—one turning in at the gate, and the other keeping on his way toward home.
Sam, followed by Bugle, who came out to meet him, went into the woodshed, and proceeded to fill his arms with stove-wood.
This done, he walked into the kitchen without ceremony, and deposited the wood in the box.
Mrs. Preston, hearing the racket he made, came out to see who was there.
"Now, Sammy," said she, "I wish you wouldn't put yourself to so much trouble."
"No trouble at all," answered Sam. "I happened to pass through the woodshed, and thought I wouldn't come in empty-handed. Heard anything from Oscar lately?"
"No, I haven't; and I begin to feel very uneasy."
"No use feeling uneasy," said Sam cheerfully. "They have had some hard storms out there, and of course the roads are blocked. When the letters do come, they'll come in a bunch."