"And I promise I won't play the horn for you," added Mr. Thompson, laughing.
He helped Mr. Ford fix the big sled, and soon it had been turned right side up, the horses were again hitched to it, and the children, after bidding their new friends good-bye, got in, and away they drove again, the merry bells jingling.
"Well, I wish we could find out what the queer noise is here at Great Hedge as easily as you children found out what the one was at the cabin," said Grandma Ford, when Russ and Rose and Laddie and Vi, by turns, had told her what had happened when Mr. Thompson blew his horn.
"Did the ghost sound while I was away?" asked Grandpa Ford.
"Yes, and louder than ever," said Mother Bunker. "We looked all over, but we couldn't find out what made the sound."
"Maybe it was Santa Claus," said Violet. "He's coming here, and maybe he's trying the chimney to see if it fits him."
"We thought of that before," said Rose. "But the noise sounded long before Santa Claus comes around. I'm sure it couldn't be him."
"But he's coming, anyhow," said Violet. "Grandpa said so, and I hope he brings me a new cradle for my doll."
"I want a new pair of skates," said Russ. "Mine are getting too small."
"I want a ship I can sail in the Summer, and a bigger sled," came from Laddie.