“They are really very much like Boston, except in the interior, where they get more snow, and farther up north, toward Truro, where it is considerably colder. The settlements, you will notice, are pretty much around the edge of the country; the center is still rather wild. And have you noticed the bundles of wood lying along the roadside?”
“Yes; and I have been wondering about them.”
“From time to time the people fell small trees, or find dry wood which they gather into bundles, and leave to be picked up ‘some day’ when they are passing with an empty cart. That is their winter’s supply.”
They were proceeding very slowly just then, as the road was more crooked than usual; and was upgrade.
“How——” began Miss Ashton, when a scream from Jeanette startled everyone.
“Martha has fallen out!” she cried.
Jim stopped the bus instantly. They looked back, and there sat Martha in the middle of the road, covered with dust, and wearing a most pathetically bewildered expression.
They all got out and ran back to assist her.
“What in the world happened?” inquired Nancy, brushing Martha off after Jim had set her on her feet.
“Happened!” exploded Martha. “Plain enough to be seen, I should think. I fell out!”