But the latter, sitting in Daddy's lap, a little later began to prattle
about his "black snowman," and so the story of Sam came out.

By that time the steampipes were humming and the whole house was warm
and cozy again.

"And we can thank Sam for that, Charles," said Mother Bunker. "William
is ill, and you would have had to go down and fight that furnace if this
boy had not come along and proved himself so handy."

"Maybe we'd all better go down and thank him," said Rose soberly.

Daddy Bunker laughed. "I guess you want to get better acquainted with
this wonderful Sam," he said. "A right nice boy, is he, Mother Bunker?"

"He seems to be," agreed Mother Bunker. "And he certainly needed
friends. I think Jo will keep him for a while. At least, as long as
William is laid up."

A little later the children all trooped down to the big kitchen. The
good-natured cook did not mind their presence. And Alexis, the great
Dane, showed plainly that he was delighted to see his young playfellows.
Alexis was a very intelligent dog and it was no wonder that the servants
and Aunt Jo considered that anybody of whom the dog approved must be
"all right." Alexis had approved of Sam.

Sam had recovered from his weariness, and, no longer hungry and his next
few meals in prospect, his spirits had rebounded from their low ebb to
cheerfulness. The kindness shown him, and the praise the women had
heaped upon him because of his mastery of the difficult furnace,