She supposed the market-men had begun with the old, tough fowls, and so they had to go on so. She wished they had begun the other way; and she had done her best to have the family eat up the old fowls, hoping they might, some day, get down to the young ones.
As to the weather, she suggested they should go to Grandfather’s the day before. But how can you go the day before, when you don’t know the day?
All were much delighted, therefore, when Hiram appeared with the wood-sled, one evening, to take them, as early as possible the next day, to their grandfather’s.
He said that the sap had started, the kettles had been on some time, there had been a slight snow for sleighing, and to-morrow promised to be a fine day.
It was decided that he should take the little boys and Elizabeth Eliza in the wood-sled; the others would follow later, in the carryall.
Mrs. Peterkin thought it would be safer to have some of the party go on wheels, in case of a thaw the next day.
A brilliant sun awoke them in the morning. The wood-sled was filled with hay, to make it warm and comfortable, and an armchair was tied in for Elizabeth Eliza.
The little boys put on their India-rubber boots and their red mittens. Elizabeth Eliza took a shawl, a hot brick, and a big bag of cookies, and they started off.
In passing the school-house the little boys saw five of their friends, who had reached the school door a full hour before the time. They asked these five boys to go with them, but Elizabeth Eliza thought they ought to inquire if their parents would be willing they should go, as they all expected to spend the night at Grandfather’s.