"Whew! you've twisted me up worse than ever now," he heard Thad
muttering, as he hastened to make for the door, where the eager Sue
awaited him, having seen the car stopping at the curb.

As Ivy lived only a short block away, they speedily had her installed
alongside the chattering Sue in the back seat; though possibly on the
way home the girls might prefer to change partners, as Ivy was heard to
say she just dearly loved to be alongside the chauffeur when out in a
car, because the view was so much better.

On the road they passed several vehicles, all bound in the same
direction. Now it was a slow car that managed to roll along "like an
ice-wagon," as Thad laughingly called out on going ahead. Then again
it was a buggy pulled by a horse; for there were actually a few of
these almost extinct quadrupeds still to be found in some of the family
stables of Scranton.

"Listen! that must be the carryall ahead of us," called out Thad, not
venturing to turn his head when he spoke, because the road was rather
poor, with ditches on either side, while the moon gave rather a poor
light, since it had not yet risen above the haze near the horizon.

Some one aboard was noisily tooting the horn, for some boys seem to be
up to all manner of mischief every hour of the day, and dearly love to
make a noise in the world, even though it rasps on other people's ears
distressingly.

Once they arrived at their destination, they found it a very gay scene.
The barn had been quite prettily decorated by some of the girls who had
come out during the last two afternoons after school to sweep the
floor, and instruct the farmer and his helper just where to hang the
many lanterns they had fetched along.

There was Daddy Whitehead, with his famous fiddle, which he was already
tuning up, so as to be ready to commence operations; while his "band,"
consisting of Abe Skinner and Mose Coffin, sat there with huge grins on
their faces, and also an expectant look. They had undoubtedly noted
the huge hampers of eatables that came with each party, and could
anticipate a delightful break in the monotony of sawing away, or
blowing steadily into that oboe instrument.

Chattering girls and boys were soon strewn all about the place. The
farmer and his good wife seemed to be enjoying the picture, since it
must have reminded them of somewhat similar episodes in their own
younger years, when life seemed buoyant, and without any trouble such
as time always bri