They rode along pleasantly towards the mill. The snow-drifts were very high in some places on each side of the road; and the fences and walls were almost buried up.
"I wish that Josey was here," said Oliver. "I think that he would like to see the carding-mill very much indeed."
"Yes," said Jonas.
"Only," replied Oliver, "perhaps it would be dangerous to take him."
"Why?" said Jonas.
"Why, because," said Oliver, "I suppose he would touch the machinery, and perhaps get his hands torn off."
"Yes," said Jonas, "boys sometimes do get very badly hurt in mills,—careless and disobedient boys especially."
"I think that he is a careless and disobedient boy," said Oliver. "Yes, but it is his misfortune, rather than his fault," replied Jonas.
"His misfortune?" repeated Oliver.