The genial captain laughed, and answered:
"I can tell you, but I can also tell you, young man, that he doesn't like to be bothered when he goes a-courting!"
"Has he gone to see Miss Harding?"
"Yes."
"At the old address?"
"Yes."
"Thank you," and Robert whirled his keen little cutter about, and was soon out of sight.
"A likely lad," laughed the fireman, and then he and the captain went indoors.
Five minutes later a double sleigh whirled around the nearest corner, and came to a sudden stop in front of the engine-house. A man got out in the snow, and waded over to the door, followed by the yearning eyes of a girl whose fair face glowed like a rose, it was so beautiful in its eager tenderness.