Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/44

 "Tom said so."

"Well," drawing a long breath, "I wish we could find a furnished house to rent in New York with such beautiful things in it, and so reasonable in price."

"If we are going anywhere else," I ventured meekly, "we had better start at once, or it will be dark."

Tom refused to be torn away; but the rest of us got into the sledge again, and were driven rapidly off.

"How fat the coachmen all look," exclaimed Judith; "and how pretty it is to see them hold the bright-colored reins at arm's length, as if it required their whole strength to keep the horses from running away!"

"It is a singular fact," said Mr. Thurber, "that, although they drive at such a break-neck pace, they seldom use a whip."

"That is true," I cried. "I have never seen a whip used since I have been here."

Judith was looking over my head, far down the Nevsky. "This must be a troika!" she exclaimed, and we all turned to look at the curious vehicle which was approaching us.

There were three horses abreast, and the middle one was trotting briskly, while the others galloped. The harness had bells hanging to it, and was nearly covered with silver. The driver wore a light-blue velvet cap, three-cornered and silver-trimmed; and his pelisse was dark-blue, with silver ornaments. He had on a sky-blue belt, and the reins were of the same color. The sleigh, when it passed us, appeared very broad; in fact, there were three people sitting comfortably together on the back seat.