The sled stood near the depot platform, and the lights from the station shone on it, so it was easy to tuck the children in.  Down in the warm straw, and under the warm blankets, the six little Bunkers were placed, until no cold wind nor snow could get at them.

  [Illustration:  DOWN IN THE WARM STRAW AND UNDER THE BLANKETS THE SIX
  LITTLE BUNKERS WERE PLACED.
    Six Little Bunkers at Grandpa Ford’s. —­Page 100]

“Well, I guess we’re all ready, Dick,” said Grandpa Ford to his hired man, who was to drive.  “Think we can make it?”

“Oh, yes, Mr. Ford,” was the answer.  “The horses are anxious to get home, and the roads aren’t as bad as they’ll be in the morning.”

“Well, when we get to Great Hedge we can stay there a long time,” said Grandpa Ford.  “Go ahead, Dick.”

“Go ’long, horses!” called Dick, at the same time cracking his whip.  Of course he did not hit the horses with it.  He just snapped it in the air over their backs.

Away they sprang, with a jingle of bells, their feet making no noise in the soft snow.  Away they went, and on down the road which was white with the crystal flakes that sparkled in the light of a lantern that was hung underneath the big sled.

“How long a drive is it?” asked Mrs. Bunker.

“Oh, about half an hour,” answered Grandpa Ford.  “We’ll be there before you know it.  It’s downhill, and the horses are anxious to get to their warm stable.”

And this seemed to be true, for the animals, with the jingling bells around them, raced bravely along.  Mun Bun and Margy fell asleep almost at once, it was so warm and cosy in Grandpa’s sled.  But the other children peered out now and then from beneath the robes.  However, they were soon glad to pull their heads in again, for it was very cold.

The drive, too, was longer than Grandpa Ford thought it would be, as one of the roads was so blocked with a drift that the sled could not get through, and they had to drive around it.

“But we’ll get through!” said Grandpa Ford.

On and on they went.  It was a long, cold ride, but it came to an end at last.  Russ, peering up over a blanket, saw, down the road, a large, black patch, and from it a light seemed to glow.

“Is that another railroad station?” he asked.

“No, that’s Great Hedge,” answered Grandpa Ford.  “The black part you see is the hedge around the house, and the light comes from a lantern I have outside.  Here we are at Great Hedge at last!”

The sled turned into a driveway and stopped beneath a sort of covered porch.

“Whoa!” called Dick to the horses.

A door opened, letting out a glow of warm, cheerful light.

“Are the six little Bunkers there?” asked a voice.

“Yes, every one, and the two big Bunkers, too!” answered Grandpa Ford.  “Come on, children!  Here’s Grandma Ford all ready with that bread and jam for you!”