l of the twins were very anxious about the
weather after that, for Mr. Bobbsey said he would not go if it rained or
if it snowed very hard.

"What does it say in the newspapers?" asked Freddie. "They always know
what the weather is going to be."

"Not so far ahead as that," answered his brother.

But Friday evening the paper said cold and clear, and sure enough, on
Saturday morning it was as nice as one would wish. From behind masses of
thin clouds the sun peeped shyly, lighting up the snow until it shone
like huge beds of diamonds.

They were to drive to Dalton, twelve miles away. Mr. Bobbsey had learned
that the road to Dalton was in good condition, and the family had
friends there who would be pleased to see them and have them remain to
dinner.

By half-past nine the big family sleigh was at the door, with Sam on the
front seat, driving. Into the sleigh piled the four children, and Mr.
and Mrs. Bobbsey followed.

"Want to sit by Sam and help drive," said Freddie, and he was lifted
over to the desired position. Then off they went, with a crack of the
whip and jingling of sleigh-bells that could be heard a long distance.

"Oh, but isn't this just too splendid for anything!" exclaimed Nan, who
sat at one side of the seat, with her mamma on the other and Flossie
between them. "I do love sleigh riding so much!"

"See me drive!" cried Freddie, who held the very end of the reins, the
part dangling from Sam's hands.

"Well, Freddie, don't let the team run away," said Mr. Bobbsey, with a
laugh.

"I shan't," answered the little fellow soberly. "If they try to run
away, I'll whip them good."

"You'll never stop them that way," said Bert. "You want to talk gently
to them."

On and on they went, over the smooth snow. The horses were fresh and
full of spirit, and mile after mile was passed with a speed that pleased
all of the twins very much. They passed several other sleighing parties,
and every time this was done the children set up a merry shout which was
sure to call forth an equally merry answer.

A large part of the ride was through the country, and often the country
folks would come to the doors to see them pass. Once they met a boy on
the road and he asked for a ride to his home, half a mile away.

"Yes, jump in," said Mr. Bobbsey, and the boy got in and was taken to
his house almost before he knew it.

"Much obliged," he said on leaving them. "You're fine people, you are,"
and he took off his hat at pa