?" asked Toad of the others.

[Illustration: Framed in the doorway stood a boy gazing at a heap of
bundles.]

"Let's drive into the barn and leave the things in the sleigh,"
suggested Chuck; "then we can meet here early tonight and take the
things to the O'Reillys."

"All right," assented the others. "What time shall we meet?"

"At seven o'clock," said Toad.

CHAPTER VIII

WHAT MIKE FOUND

After dinner that night Chuck and Toad spent a little time helping to
trim the big tree that had been put in place in the library during their
absence of the afternoon. Chuck was on the top of a stepladder, tying
shiny colored balls to the upper branches, when Toad, who had been busy
with candy canes and popcorn balls, suddenly stopped and looked at the
clock on the mantel.

"It's seven o'clock, Chuck," he cried, "and the others will be
wondering why we don't come out," and at this he ran into the hall to
get into his coat and cap.

Chuck took but a second to follow Toad out into the yard to meet the
boys.

Mother Brown had sent her bundle and Toad's new sled to the barn by
John, the stableman, who put them into the sleigh with the other things
while the boys were at dinner.

"Hello, boys! Everybody here?" inquired Toad as he joined the group of
boys in front of the barn.

"All but Fat," laughed Reddy, "and he'll be along in a minute. He said I
walked too fast for him."

"Is everything in the sleigh?" asked Herbie, as John was hitching up.

"Everything's in all right," Toad assured him.

When about to start they found that the sleigh was so full of bundles
that some of the boys had to stand on the runners. Just as they reached
the street, Fat was seen coming toward them.

"Hurry up, lazy bones," called Reddy, "or you'll get left," but John
good-naturedly stopped the horse until Fat had climbed aboard.

There was a full moon and the sky was bright with stars. The snow was
hard beneath the horse's feet, which made the going easy, so they
traveled along at a brisk pace.

"Where shall I stop?" asked John as they drew near the O'Reilly's
cottage.

"Just a little this side of the house," directed Toad, "so they won't
hear us."

"All off, now," ordered Reddy, as John pulled up the horse, "and help
unload. Don't let's make any more noise than we can help."

"We can pile everything on the front steps," whispered Herbie, as the
boys, each heavily laden with packages of all sizes and shapes, walked
very quie