“It’s surely a horse blanket,” replied Tavia. “We cannot count on his having a steamer rug.”
“I suppose,” said Mr. Niles, “the sleigh answers all stage-coach purposes out that way?”
“As well as freight and express,” returned Dorothy. “Dear old Dalton! I have had some good times out there!”
“Why don’t you come out now, Doro?” asked Tavia, mischievously. “There may be some good times left.”
The gentleman who had vacated the seat taken by Mr. Niles was now coming back. This, of course, was the signal for the latter to leave.
“We are almost at the Birchlands!” he said, “I hope, Miss Dale, that those boy cousins of yours do not get buried in the snow, and leave you in distress. I remember that auto of theirs had a faculty for doing wild things.”
“Oh, yes. We had more than one adventure with the Fire Bird. But I do not anticipate any trouble to-night,” said Dorothy. “I heard from Aunt Winnie this morning.”
With a word about seeing them before the end of their journey, he took his chair, while Tavia sat perfectly still and silent, for, it seemed to Dorothy, the first time in her life.
“What is it?” she asked. “Don’t you feel well, Tavia?”
“I feel like bolting. I have a mind to get off at Bridgeton. Fancy me riding with that angel!”