Everything was just right.  The pony backed in between the shafts, and soon drew the new sled outside where the newly fallen snow let it slip easily along.

“It will look nicer when it’s painted,” said Mart.

“I think it’s nice now!” said Bunny.

“Terrible nice!” agreed Sue.

“Well, get in, and we’ll have a ride,” suggested Lucile.  “Can you drive, Bunny?”

“Oh, yes!” was the answer; and Bunny soon showed that he could by taking the reins and guiding the pony around to the front of the house.

“Come on out, Mother, and see what we have!” cried Sue, as Bunny stopped the little horse.

“Oh, isn’t that just fine!” laughed Mrs. Brown, as she came to the door.  “What a nice surprise for you children!  Did you thank Mart and Lucile for making it?”

“I—­I guess we forgot,” said Bunny.  “But we’re glad you live with us,” he said to the boy actor and his sister.

“So are we!” laughed Lucile.  “This is more fun than going about from one place to another, and traveling half the night.”

“I’m glad, too,” said Sue.  “Now let’s go for a ride.”

And they did, down the village street, stopping now and then to let some of their boy or girl friends look at the new pony sled Mart had made from an old drygoods box and the broken “bob” from the hardware store.

The white flakes sifted down, like feathers from a big goose flying high in the air, the bells on the Shetland pony jingled, and Bunny and Sue thought that never had they been so happy.

The snow lasted several days, and each day after school Bunny Brown and his sister Sue went for a pony ride in the jolly sled.  Mart had painted it a bright red, and it really looked very nice.

“That boy is handy with tools,” said Mr. Brown to his wife one day, when they were talking about Mart and wondering if he and Lucile would ever find their relatives.  “If he’d like to stay with me he would be good help around the boats in the summer.  He and Bunker Blue are good friends, and one helps the other.”

“Lucile is good help around the house,” said Mrs. Brown.  “I’d love to have them with me always, but of course if they have relatives it would be better for them to live in their own home.  Do you think the children’s play will be nice?”

“Oh, I’m sure it will.  Mr. Treadwell says they are doing nicely.  I don’t suppose they will make much money, but they’ll have the fun of it, and it is good for children to try to help others, as Bunny, Sue, and their friends are hoping to help the Home for the Blind.”

“It’s too bad about Mart’s blind uncle, isn’t it?  Do you think he’ll ever be found?”

“Well, we can only hope,” said Mr. Brown.

Though Bunny and Sue had fun in the snow and on the ice they did not forget to practice for the new play, nor did the other children.  One afternoon all the little actors and actresses were assembled in the new hall over the hardware store.  A rehearsal was going on, and nearly all the mothers of the children were there, as Mr. Treadwell had asked them to come so he might talk to them about the costumes that had to be made for the little girls and boys.