David reached over for one blue woollen stocking on the floor by the side of the bed, and sat quite still with it in his hand, regarding the snowy whirl.
"You ain't got dressed a bit," cried Joel, spinning around, "and I'm all ready."
"So will I be all ready," cried little David, pulling on the stocking with all haste, and flying at the rest of his clothes with alacrity. "Wait, Joe--do," as Joel began to clatter downstairs.
"Can't," said Joel, racing off, "I'm going to get the sled."
"Wa-it," called Davie, half crying.
But Joel was in the woodshed, hauling out the precious sled that Ben had made for the boys out of some boards and old sleigh runners that had been given him. He was dragging it out with a dreadful noise from the corner where it had stayed all summer, when Polly came running out.
"I don't believe it's going to snow much," she said, squinting at the feathery specks. "You won't want your sled to-day, boys."
"I'm goin' to have it ready," said Joel, with another pull.
"Well, I'll help you," said Polly, taking hold of one end. "Dear me, I do think this is the most splendid sled in all the world," she exclaimed enthusiastically. "I don't see how Ben could make it so nice."
"Ben can do anything," declared Joel, tugging away.