so hard, and the wind blew less fiercely. They jogged and rocked and
splashed onward. Suddenly Winnie S. uttered another shout.

"The lantern!" he cried. "Where's that lantern I lent ye?"

"It's there in the house," said Thankful. "It burned itself out and I
forgot it. Mercy on us! You're not goin' back after that, I hope."

"Well, I dunno. That lantern belongs to the old man--dad, I mean--and he
sets a lot of store by it. If I've lost that lantern on him, let alone
leavin' his depot-wagon all stove up, he'll give me--"

"Never mind what he'll give you," broke in Captain Bangs. "You keep on
your course or I'LL give you somethin'. Don't you say another word till
we get abreast of Hannah Parker's."

"Humph! We're there now. I thought these folks was goin' to our hotel."

"Take my advice and don't think so much. You'll open a seam in your
head and founder, first thing you know. Here we are! And here's Hannah!
Hannah, Kenelm and I've brought you a couple of lodgers. Now, ma'am, if
you'll stand by. Kenelm, open that hatch."

Mr. Parker opened the hatch--the door of the carriage--and the captain
assisted the passengers to alight. Emily caught a glimpse of the white
front of a little house and of a tall, angular woman standing in the
doorway holding a lamp. Then she and Mrs. Barnes were propelled by
the strong arms of their pilot through that doorway and into a little
sitting-room, bright and warm and cheery.