Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/78

66 got into another car, and they did not see him again until Crumville was reached, and even then he did not speak to them.

The snow was coming down lightly when Dave and Ben alighted, baggage and bundles in hand, for they had not risked checking anything in such a crowd. Ben's father was on hand to greet him, and close at hand stood the Wadsworth family sleigh, with Laura and Jessie on the rear seat. The driver came to take the suit-case and Dave's bundle, grinning a welcome as he did so.

"There's Dave!" cried Jessie, as soon as he appeared. "Isn't he growing tall!" she added.

"Yes," answered the sister. "Dave!" she called.

"Here we are again!" he cried with a bright smile, and shook hands. "I brought you a snowstorm for a change."

"I like snow for Christmas," answered Jessie. She was blushing, for Dave had given her hand an extra tight squeeze.

"How are the folks?"

"All very well," answered Laura. "What have you in that big bundle?"

"Oh, that's a secret, sis," he returned.

"Christmas presents!" cried the sister. "Jessie, let us open the bundle right away." And she made a playful reach for it.

"Not to-day—that belongs to Santa Claus!"