“Oh! we expect to have a drive later on,” said Elsie.  “Be on the lookout for us, and if you are not over-fastidious as to the style of the turnout, there will be a chance for you to have a drive as well.”

“Oh!  I’ll not refuse a sleigh-drive; I would accept a seat on a bob-sled rather than miss the first sleighing,” said Fanny, with a laugh.

Lancy was surprised when Dexie and his sister made their appearance in the store; but as Dexie carried some parcels with her, he supposed she had been out to do some shopping.

“I am almost ready to go home, girls, so sit down and wait for me,” he said, as he brought forward some seats, “and if you will accept a drive in the delivery, it will save you the walk home.”

Of course they would wait and drive back with him; so Lancy went out and placed some temporary seats in the big sleigh, making them soft and comfortable by the aid of rugs and robes.

“Are you coming back with us, Hugh?” as Hugh made his appearance from the booking-room.

“Well—­yes—­if I may,” and he looked over to the window where Dexie was standing, as if to ask her permission.

“Well, there is plenty of room, Mr. McNeil,” she said, with a smile, “so you won’t crowd us.”

Lancy helped Dexie into the seat beside himself, so Hugh and Elsie took the seat behind.

“Really, this is very comfortable, Lancy,” said Dexie, as they flew along the street.  “I don’t see what better accommodation one could ask than this.  Don’t drive straight home; let us have our drive without changing the sleigh,” she added, in a low voice.

“No, I want you alone; there is too much room here to please me,” he replied, with a smile.

“Oh! stop a minute, Lancy,” cried Elsie, a moment later.  “There is Maud Harrington and Fanny Beverly; I want to speak to them.  Do ask them to come for a drive.”

“Elsie, are you crazy?—­in this sleigh?  Good evening, ladies” (this to the laughing girls on the sidewalk).  “I am delivering some lively freight, you see.  Don’t you admire my turnout?”

“Yes; it is superb.  May we get on board?”

“Well, if you would care to—­I don’t mind,” was the hesitating reply; “but I have nothing but boards for seats, you know.”

“Oh! no matter.  The first sleigh-drive of the season is always the most enjoyable, no matter what sort of a sleigh carries you along.”

Lancy soon had them seated as comfortably as circumstances would permit, and they drove off with many expressions of delight.

“Turn up Spring Garden Road, Lancy,” said Hugh, entering into the spirit of the fun; “perhaps we will meet another friend or two who would enjoy a spin.”

Presently they came up with Fred Beverly and May Deblois, as they were stepping briskly along the sidewalk, who started in surprise as the sleigh drove up and they recognized the occupants.

“Will you have a drive?” was Lancy’s greeting.