-night--honor bright, mind."

"Yes, _honor bright_, Lancy. I'll whistle, or try to, if they don't hiss me
when I begin. Now, turn back, and let us get home as quickly as possible;
there will be a lot of humble pie waiting for me. I may as well eat it and
have it done with. I feel worse to meet your mother than all the rest."

"You forget that I have an errand at the Four-Mile House. That will give us
a chance to get warmed, and then for a wild drive home."

When they arrived at the hotel they were glad to find the parlor vacant,
for they could monopolize the fire that burned so brightly in the grate,
besides enjoying the liberty of free speech.

"You may as well lay aside your wraps, Dexie, as we will not start for home
for half an hour," said Lancy, as he returned from an interview with the
landlord.

When the sleigh was again brought to the door, there was a triumphant look
in Lancy's face that contrasted well with the rosy cheeks of his companion.

"We will have the wind in our faces going home, Dexie, so be sure and wrap
up your mouth and throat. It will never do to spoil your whistle after all.
I tell you what, Dexie," he added, as he helped her adjust the fleecy
scarf, "I feel myself quite a diplomatist, and I shall claim remuneration
for this afternoon's work. Do you know what will square the bill?"

"Possibly I may guess your terms, sir, but I shall claim the usual three
months' credit," and a saucy face was lifted to his.

"Not three hours shall I wait," he laughingly replied, as he followed the
figure that passed so swiftly from his arms. "I have a good notion to claim
'cash on delivery,'" helping her into the sleigh.

"I fancy you would not find it easy to enforce your claim, sir."

"Don't be too sure of that, my Dexie. I have had too hard an afternoon's
work to do it for nothing, and 'kiss number two' would settle the account."

There was no chance for further conversation, for Lancy needed to give his
attention to the spirited animal before him. It was generally a "wild
drive" when Bob wore the harness, unless he were kept well in check, and to
those who hastily took the side of the road as the sleigh flew by, it did
indeed look like a "wild drive," for the pace never slacked until the house
was reached.

There were many anxious eyes on the lookout for their arrival, as Dexie
noted with shame, but she determined to face the matter boldly, and if
possible make some amends for the trouble and anxie