There was merely a fresh sparkle in the air, a new touch of crispness.

Low, gray skies were a relief, after so much blazing sunshine, and the cool winds whipped his blood to new life.

The house had a fireplace and chimney and often he built a low fire, not so much for the sake of warmth as for the cheer that the sparkling blaze gave.

Then he could imagine that he was back in his beloved province of New York.

Now the snow was certainly pouring down there.