the single exception of Winny, seated at their desks much as if they
had remained there all night. On going to his seat, each boy found a
letter and a package staring him in the face; and from that time until
the Deacon called the school to order, no sound was heard, save the
rustling of paper as the boys read the missives, .while the girls
appeared to have no thought save for their books, which they were
studying with most remarkable intentness.

No one of the boys had time to compare notes with his neighbor when
Deacon Littlefield
said, after he had rapped vigorously on his desk to command attention:
"It has been suggested to me by such of your parents as I have had time
to call upon, that, in view of the near approach of the holidays, and
of the many plans you may possibly have in mind, school be dismissed
until after the beginning of the New Year. To have followed out my
original intention, we should have continued in session to-day and to-
morrow; but, believing that I should have only your divided attention
during that time, I have concluded to give you two extra holidays,
trusting that, when we assemble here again, you will endeavor to make
up for the time thus lost. You are, therefore, dismissed from
attendance until the day after New Year's."

Under ordinary circumstances, this unexpected announcement would have
been received with cheers by the boys; but so confused were the sleigh-
riders by the letters they had just received, that they remained
quietly in their seats, while the girls walked demurely out of the
building.

Even before Deacon Littlefield had taken his departure the confusion
began, Tom Hardy being the first one to express an opinion. "I tell you