"We stopped at the house of Captain Jones, and, as Carry was rather cold and tired, I left her with Mrs. Jones while I went round to call upon the neighbors and invite them to come down to the mills next day. By the time I had finished my rounds, it was growing dark. Meantime, good Mrs. Jones had got a famous supper ready for us, and nothing would do but we must stay and eat it. I knew that the moon was full and the night would be almost as light as day, and we both felt that it would be much pleasanter riding home after supper than before. So the horse was put into the barn to take his refreshment, and we sat down, prepared to do full justice to the good things before us. Two or three neighbors stepped in, and, to make a long story short, it was almost eight o'clock before we started for home."
"'Which road shall you take?' asked Mr. Jones, as we went out to get up the horse."
"'Oh, the swamp road, of course!'"
"'Well, I don't know,' said Mr. Jones, slowly. 'I think, if I were you, I would go round by the Buck tavern.'"
"'But why?' I asked, in surprise. 'It is three miles further, and the road is badly drifted, while that through the swamp is as smooth as a floor.'"
"'It is a kind of lonesome road through the swamp, though,' observed my companion. 'There isn't a house after you leave John's till you reach the mills.'"
"'Oh, I don't mind that,' I replied. 'I have good company, you know.'"
"'Yes, I know. She is a first-rate girl, that's a fact. But talking about the roads, I heard say that there were wolves heard up Concord way last night, and they are not exactly the customers one likes to meet in a lonely place, especially with a young lady in company.'"
"I started a little as these words brought poor Huldah and her fears to my mind, but a moment's thought reassured ma."
"'But Concord is ten miles off' I replied. 'I dare say you might find a few wolves within ten miles almost any time of year. I hate to go round by the Buck, it will make us so late home.'"