“They’ll know at your grandfather’s,” said Mrs. Peterkin, from the carryall.
“Yes, go on to your grandfather’s,” advised Mr. Peterkin, “for I think I felt a drop of rain.” So they made the best of their way to Grandfather’s.
At the moment they reached the door of the house, a party of young people whom Elizabeth Eliza knew came by in sleighs. She had met them all when visiting at her grandfather’s.
“Come along with us,” they shouted; “we are all going down to the sugar festival.”
“That is what we have come for,” said Mr. Peterkin.
“Where is it?” asked Solomon John.
“It is down your way,” was the reply.
“It is in your own New Hall,” said another. “We have sent down all our syrup. The Spears and Ramsays and Doolittles have gone on with theirs. No time to stop; there’s good sleighing on the old road.”
Hiram said he could take them back with the wood-sled, when he heard there was sleighing on the old road. So it was decided that the whole party should go in the wood-sled, with the exception of Mr. Peterkin, who would follow on with the carryall.
Mrs. Peterkin would take the armchair, and cushions were put in for Elizabeth Eliza, and more apple pie for all. No more drops of rain appeared, though the clouds were thickening over the setting sun.