Jasper hastened to put his young shoulder under the trunk, a movement
that only added to the stage-driver's distress.

"It don't pay to get mad, now I tell you," declared Mr. Tisbett, dumping
the trunk down on the snow, and then drawing himself to his full height;
"fust place, your pa sassed me, and"--

"He didn't intend to," cried Jasper eagerly, "and I'll apologize for
him, if that's what you want." He laid his strong right hand in the old
fur mitten.

"Good land! Tain't what I want," cried honest John, but he gripped the
hand nevertheless, a fact that the boy never forgot; "I say I'm sorry I
shook up your pa."

"His age ought to have protected him," said the boy simply.

"Sho! that's a fact," cried Mr. Tisbett, sinking in deeper distress,
"but how is anybody to remember he's so old, when he steps so almighty
high, as if he owned all Badgertown--say!"

"I think we shall be good friends, Mr. Tisbett," said Jasper cordially,
as he turned to wave his hand toward the little brown house;
simultaneously the door opened, and all the young Peppers and Whitneys
rushed out to help in the delightful unloading.

It was well along in the afternoon. The dusk of the December twilight
shut down speedily, around the little brown house and its happy
occupants, but no one wanted the candles lighted till the last moment.