No need to ask it. The horse was now upon his feet, and had made straight for the sidewalk, where two arms were waiting to gather the big head, which snuggled into them as a child might have done. Never mind cold and ice now! Old Nick had no more to wish for, and would have been willing to stand there for hours just to hear the beloved voice and feel the stroke of the dear hands. Thanks to the courtesy of the proprietor of the store in which Isabel soon took refuge, matters were settled between the expressman and herself, and, to judge from the expression of both faces, to their mutual satisfaction. As the expressman left the store he was conscious of a good day’s profit in the hundred and fifty dollars paid him for Old Nick; and when Nick was given into his charge to be looked after until he could be taken to the farm, Isabel felt that her first business transaction had been a successful one. CHAPTER IV OLD NICK’S HOME-COMING Next arose the question of getting Nick home, but Isabel had gone too far to retreat, nor did such a thought occur to her. Home Nick must go, and home he was going, and _she_ was to get him there. There were quick wits in that pretty head, and the plans were soon laid. Another journey to town, ostensibly to finish the previous day’s shopping; a suit case, presumably to bring the parcels home in; a secret conference with the faithful Hiram, who, as she tripped away from the stable, slapped his thigh and ejaculated: “Wal, I be gol twisted ef she don’t beat the band!” and Old Nick’s saddle and bridle were on their way to the city. There was still sufficient money for her needs, and by one o’clock the following day a young lady might have been seen mounting a big bay horse in front of the Margaret Louisa Home. The horse was either too happy or too frisky to know what he was about, for he kept turning his head around to pull at the girl’s habit, her shoe--in short, he was acting like a spoilt child. At the horse’s head a stableman stood, smiling in a very satisfied manner, as if he knew a pleasant Christmas secret. Nick’s late owner, with a new horse filling Nick’s place, drove up, touched his hat to the girl as he asked, “Is your bag inside, miss?” and a moment later the suit case, containing Isabel’s street clothing, was speeding upon its homeward way. “Thank you so much for your kindness,” she said to the man who had brought Nick from the expressman’s stable, “and please take this for your children, if you have any. I hope they will be as happy as I am.” And with a smile which the man remembered for many a long day she slipped a coin into his hand, gathered up her reins, and started. Nick’s burden seemed to have an intoxicating effect upon him--or, perhaps, the spirit of Christmas had been fastened upon his feet with his new shoes--for he acted altogether foolishly. But a wise little horsewoman rode him, and knowing the miles to be traveled over snowy roads, she took good care of her mount.