But when Meg rather shyly said the fair was to be given in Oak Hill and not for a week or two, Mr. Mendam shook his head. "I'll be away then," he explained. "My daughter and I are going to Montreal for the winter sports. But why don't you let me give you the ten dollars for the fair? That will be just the same as though I had come there and bought that much." Meg looked uncertainly at Bobby. "Maybe Mother won't like it," she said. But Bobby was sure she wouldn't care and when he told Mr. Mendam about Paul Jordan and his mother and that the fair was for them, Mr. Mendam, too, was sure Mother Blossom wouldn't mind. "You put this in your pocket," he told Bobby, handing him a folded bill. "Mind you don't lose it. And if your mother, for any reason, isn't willing for you to keep it, you may send it back and I will not be offended." Bobby put the money away carefully, down deep in his pocket, and then Mr. Mendam said he was thirsty and wouldn't they go with him to the drug store and have an ice-cream soda? "I never saw a day too cold for ice-cream soda--did you?" he added, smiling. "We promised Sam to stay here till he came for us," Meg explained regretfully, for she was very fond of soda. "He won't be long, will he?" said Mr. Mendam. "I'll wait with you." And wait he did, till the sound of jingling sleigh bells announced that Sam was at the door. The sleigh was filled with boxes, tied on to keep them from falling off, and there was just a little space left for the children. Sam was surprised to see them come down the steps with a stranger with them, and more surprised to hear that he was the owner of the glove and that the "reward" was to go to Paul Jordan and that the four little Blossoms had been invited to the drug store for a treat. "Things just seem to happen to you, wherever you are," said Sam. "I wish I could lead as exciting a life as you do." Mr. Mendam insisted that he must come with them and Sam tied the horse and went. The four little Blossoms had a wonderful time, choosing their favorite sodas and for once no one said the twins were too young to have whatever they chose. Mr. Mendam wandered off before they had all quite finished and when he came back, he had a pile of small boxes under his arm. "Something to eat on the way home," he said, handing a box to each child. "Candy!" cried Twaddles blissfully. "It's just like Christmas!" Sam had tied the sleigh in front of the drug store and when they came out, Mr. Mendam helped him tuck the children in between the boxes and the seat and cover them up carefully. "I wouldn't have lost that glove for a good deal," he told them, as Sam was ready to start. "I value gifts from my daughter highly. Good-bye and good luck to your fair." "Oh, wait!" Dot wailed as Sam drove off. "Wait a minute, Sam; I want to ask him something!" CHAPTER XVIII AT LAST THE FAIR "We're late now," said the long-suffering Sam. "What do you want to ask Mr. Mendam, Dot? Hurry up."