em,

"Hoo-rah-ray! Hoo-rah-ray!
Sunny Bank, Montcliff,
U. S. A.,"

out upon the frosty air, until the very hills rang with the cry, and flung
it back in merry echoes.

Miss Howard's sleigh led the van, and one or two of the girls had
clambered up to ride upon the high front seat with the driver, a sturdy
old Irishman, who would have driven twenty horses all night long to please
any of Miss Preston's girls. Ruth sat beside him, with Toinette next to
her, and Edith was squeezed against the outer edge. But who cares about
being squeezed under such circumstances? It's more fun.

The snow had fallen so lightly that sometimes the runners cut through
slightly; but, all things considered, the sleighing was very good. Still,
the driver kept the horses well in hand, for they were good ones and ready
to respond to a word. Moreover, the hilarity behind them seemed to have
proved infectious, for every now and again a leader or a wheeler would
prance about as though joining in the fun, and presently another animal
became infected and wanted to prance, too. Had she not, the next chapter
need not have been written.

CHAPTER XV

"PRIDE GOETH BEFORE A FALL"

More than five miles had slipped away under those swiftly-moving runners
ere Ruth was suddenly seized with a desire to emulate a famous charioteer
of olden time, one "Phaeton, of whom the histories have sung, in every
meter, and every tongue," if a certain poet may be relied upon. So,
turning a beguiling face toward the unsuspecting Michael beside her, she
said:

"You're a fine driver, aren't you, Michael?"

"'T is experience ivery man nades; I've had me own," observed Michael,
complacently.

"It must be very hard to drive four horses at once."

"Anny one what kin droive two dacently should be able enough to handle
four; 't is not the number of horses, but the sinse at the other ind av
the reins."

"Is that so? I thought it needed a strong man to drive so many."

"Indade, no; it does not that. I've seen a schmall, little man, hardly
bigger than yerself, takin' six along with the turn av his hand."

"Could he hold them if they started to go fast?"

"Certain as the woirld, he cud do that same. 'T was meself that taught him
the thrick av it. 'T is easy larnt."

"Then teach me right now, will you?"

Poor Michael, he saw when it was too late that boasting is dangerous work,
bu