the sleigh--there were twelve of them. Then they climbed into the
seat, slapped the reins over the back of the old white horse, and
started off for the White Woods.

On the way Dame Louisa wept, and confessed what she had done to Dame
Penny. "I have been a cross, selfish old woman," said she, "and I
think that is the reason why my Christmas-trees were blasted. I don't
believe your silver hen touched them."

She and Dame Penny called "Biddy, Biddy, Biddy!" and the names of the
children, all the way. Dame Louisa drove straight to the Snow Man's
house.

"They are more likely to be there than anywhere else, the Snow Man and
his wife are so crazy to have company," said she.

When they arrived at the house, Dame Louisa left Dame Penny to hold
the horse, and went in. The outer door was not locked and she wandered
quite at her will, through the great ice saloons, and wind-swept
corridors. When she came to the door with the icicle through the
latch, she knew at once that the children were in that room, so she
drew out the icicle and entered. The children were asleep, but she
aroused them, and bade them be very quiet and follow her. They got out
of the house without disturbing any of the family; but, once out, a
new difficulty beset them. The children had been so nearly warm under
their snow-flake beds that they began to freeze the minute the icy air
struck them.

But Dame Louisa promptly seized them, while Dame Penny held the horse,
and put them into the tubs and pails of water. Then she took hold of