ere pretty well wearied. But they greeted the party there
with an enthusiasm which matched the welcome they received.

The spirits of the whole company had risen with a jump the instant they
had caught sight of Just, and now, with four horses to pull the
ponderous sleigh through the drifts, the boys walking by its side and
the girls tucked snugly in among the robes, the whole aspect of things
was changed. The situation lost seriousness, and although each was
prepared to make a thrilling tale of it for the various family circles
when daylight came, nobody except Jeff really regretted the experience
of the night. When they reached Charlotte and the smaller sleigh, there
was a great chorus of explanations. She swiftly extracted Evelyn and
took her in beside herself.

"Indeed, yes, I'm warm, Mrs. Churchill," protested the girl. Her voice
showed that she was very tired, but her inflection was as cheerful as
ever. With a hot soapstone at her feet, a hot-water bag in her lap and
Charlotte's arm about her, she leaned back on the fur-clad shoulder
beside her and rejoiced. One thing was certain. She had had a real
Northern good time, with an exciting ending, and she was quite willing
to be tired.

With the wind at their backs and the fall of snow nearly ceased, the
party was not a great while in getting back to town. The clocks were
striking five when Charlotte, having put her charge to bed, and fed her
with hot food and spicy, steaming drinks, administered the last pat and
tuck. "Now you're not to open your eyes and stir until four o'clock this
afternoon," she admonished her, with decisive tenderness. "Then if
you're very good, you may get up and dress in time for dinner."

"I'll be good, Mrs. Churchill," promised Evelyn, smiling rather faintly.
She fell asleep almost before the door closed.

"You must feel a load off your shoulders," Just observed to Jeff, as the
two made ready for slumber for the brief time remaining before breakfast
and the school and college work which would then claim them both.

"I do. But if Evelyn comes out all right I shall be glad I took her. I
tell you that girl's a mighty good sort."

"I wish Lucy was like her. What do you think I'm in for? Our class
reception is for Friday night, at the head-master's house. Doctor
Agnew's daughters have met Lucy, and I'm sure she gave 'em a hint to
invite her to come with me. Anyhow, they've done it, and of course I've
got to take her."

"Oh, well, a fellow