Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/39

 hands continually,—now catching the pole of another equipage and turning it aside, now pushing away the face of a too familiar horse. Tears of laughter were in our eyes when we reached the hotel once more, and dismissed our istvostchik. "I prefer to have the whole sledge to myself next time," said Grace.

December 18. I was sitting with Judith and Alice over their late breakfast this morning, when Grace came in, full of excitement, and begged us to come at once and look at the apartment which Tom had almost decided to take.

"I have ordered the sledge at two," said Alice, consulting her watch. "It is now twelve. You can wait very well until then."

"I suppose so," assented Grace reluctantly.

So we went into the library, where there was a cheerful wood-fire.

"What a pretty room this is!" said Judith. "I like that screen so much," pointing to one of carved wood, with ivy and other vines planted beneath, and running over it. "What a quantity of screens you have in this house!"

"It is a Russian fashion," responded Alice. "I don't believe there is a bed in Russia that has not a screen round it."

A servant appeared at the door, and announced something, which proved to be a visitor.

"Oh, Mr. Thurber!" exclaimed Alice, as a tall, very erect Englishman entered the room. "You have come 3