A babel of tongues arose from the sweeping, creaking bob-sleigh, and rose into the silent air like a mighty peal of laughter.
II.
A school-house set beneath the shelter of great oaks was the center of motion and sound.

On one side of it the teams stood shaking their bells under their insufficient blankets, making a soft chorus of fitful trills heard in the pauses of the merry shrieks of the boys playing "pom-pom pullaway" across the road before the house, which radiated light and laughter.

A group of young men stood on the porch as Milton drove up.
"Hello, Milt," said a familiar voice as he reined Marc close to the step.
"That you, Shep ?" "Chuss, it's me," replied Shep.
"How'd you know me so far off ?" "Puh! Don't y' s'pose I know that horse an' those bells--Miss Moss, allow me"-- -- He helped her out with elaborate courtesy.

"The supper and the old folks are _here_, and the girls and boys and the fun is over to Dudley's," he explained as he helped Bettie out.
"I'll be back soon's I put my horse up," said Milton to Bettie.

"You go in and get good 'n' warm, and then we'll go over to the house." "I saved a place in the barn for you, Milt.