"Or perhaps," continued Jonas, "you can be teamster for the oxen, and Josey can drive the horse, and so I remain up in the woods, cutting and splitting."
"No," said Oliver, "because we can't unload alone."
"No," said Jonas; "I had forgotten that."
"But I mean to ask my father," said Oliver, "to let me have the old General, and haul a load down when you come."
So saying, the boys walked along towards the house. The sun was now shining beautifully upon the fresh snow, making it sparkle in every direction, all around. They walked in by the path which Oliver and Josey had shoveled.
"Why didn't you make your path wider?" said Amos. "This isn't wide enough for a cow-path."
"O, yes, Amos," said Jonas, "it will do very well. I can widen it a little when I come out after breakfast."
When they got to the door, Jonas stopped a moment to look around. The fields were white in every direction, and the branches of the trees near the house were loaded with the snow. The air was keen and frosty, and the breaths of the boys were visible by the vapor which was condensed by the cold. The pond was one great level field of dazzling white. All was silent—nothing was seen of life or motion, except that Darco, who came out when the door was opened, looked around astonished, took a few cautious steps along the path, and then, finding the snow too deep and cold, went back again to take her place once more by the fire.