Lancy helped Dexie into the seat beside himself, so Hugh and Elsie took the seat behind.
"Really, this is very comfortable, Lancy," said Dexie, as they flew along the street. "I don't see what better accommodation one could ask than this. Don't drive straight home; let us have our drive without changing the sleigh," she added, in a low voice.
"No, I want you alone; there is too much room here to please me," he replied, with a smile.
"Oh! stop a minute, Lancy," cried Elsie, a moment later. "There is Maud Harrington and Fanny Beverly; I want to speak to them. Do ask them to come for a drive."
"Elsie, are you crazy?—in this sleigh? Good evening, ladies" (this to the laughing girls on the sidewalk). "I am delivering some lively freight, you see. Don't you admire my turnout?"
"Yes; it is superb. May we get on board?"
"Well, if you would care to—I don't mind," was the hesitating reply; "but I have nothing but boards for seats, you know."
"Oh! no matter. The first sleigh-drive of the season is always the most enjoyable, no matter what sort of a sleigh carries you along."
Lancy soon had them seated as comfortably as circumstances would permit, and they drove off with many expressions of delight.