Vosh had had a hard struggle with himself that morning to leave his own horse and cutter at home; but his mother had settled it for him. She remarked,—
"I'd ruther be in the big sleigh with the folks, so I can hear what's goin' on. So would Susie Hudson, or aunt Judith Farnham. You'd be kind o' lonely. Besides, that little thing of yourn 'd be upsettin' twenty times, over them mountain roads."
He was ready with his axe now; and Porter Hudson opened his eyes at the rapidity with which a great fire was blazing on the snow, a little distance from the shanty.
"What are we to get into?" asked Port.
"We won't need any shelter," said aunt Judith. "When it's time for dinner, we can eat it in the sleigh."
They were not yet thinking of eating. The first business on hand was a trip to the lake. Vosh Stebbins took his axe with him, and he and the deacon each carried a long, wide board. Port managed not to ask what these were for, and he had not a great while to wait before he knew.
"Vosh," said the deacon, "the ice must be pretty thick. Hope we sha'n't have to chop a hole."
"There's one air-hole, away yonder. It doesn't look too wide."
"Shouldn't wonder if it'd do."
"Susie," said Pen, "don't you know? That's where all the fish come up to the top to get a breath of fresh air."