Even during the short time the chair had been standing still, talking to the tree, the snow had drifted over his rockers, so that now, when he wanted to move again he found it not easy. But he swayed to and fro, and, at last, managed to get in beneath the thick, green branches.
It was warmer there, almost as warm and sheltered as it had been in the cave, and Racky was thinking he could stay there until the storm was over, when, all of a sudden, he sneezed again:
"Ker-choo! Ker-foo! Ker-snitzio!"
"Oh, that isn't so good!" sighed the tree. "You have sneezed three times at once."
"What is that a sign of?" asked Racky.
"I should say it was a sign that you now have a cold, and ought to be in a snug, warm place, near a blazing, hot fire," answered the tree. "I fear it is a bit breezy out here, even under my thick, green branches."
This was quite true, and then, as Racky stood there, shivering in spite of the warm cushions, all at once a shower of snow fell on him.
"Oh!" cried the chair.
"It's too bad, but it can't be helped," said the evergreen. "You see my branches are covered with snow, and when the wind blows it shakes the snow off so that it falls on you. I am very sorry!"
"I am catching more—a-ker-choo—more cold!" sneezed the chair. "Is there no place, Tree, where I could be warm and sheltered? Is there no place where I can go in, to be away from the storm? After it is over I shall keep on adventuring."