"Yes'm," said Molly, "I always do." Then the children ran away to play out-of-doors until dinner-time. "It's so queer to be here," said Molly, who had never before been away from home alone. "It's queer to have you, but it's nice," said Marjorie. "Which do you like best, summer or winter?" "Both!" declared Molly. "Whichever one it is, I like that one; don't you?" "Yes, I s'pose so. But I like winter best. There's so much to do. Why, Molly, I'm busy every minute. Of course, school takes most of the time, so I have to crowd all the fun into the afternoons and Saturdays." "Oh, is this your hill?" exclaimed Molly, as they reached their favorite coasting-ground. "What a little one! Why, the hills at home are twice as long as this." "I know it," said Mopsy, apologetically; "but this is the longest one here. Won't it do?" "Oh, yes," said Molly, who did not mean to be unpleasantly critical, but who was merely surprised. "But you have to be going up and down all the time." "We do," agreed King. "But it's fun. And, anyway, you have to go up and down all the time if it's a longer hill, don't you?" "So you do," admitted Molly, "but it seems different." However, after a few journeys up and down, she declared the hill was a first-rate coaster, and she liked it better than a long one, because it was easier to walk up. They all liked Molly. Gladys concluded she was a welcome addition to their crowd, and both Kingdon and Dick thought her a jolly girl. She was daring,--sometimes a little too much so,--but she was good-natured, and very kind and pleasant. "Don't you ever hitch on?" she asked, as they all trudged up hill. "What's that mean?" asked Gladys. "Why, hitch on behind sleighs. Or big wagon-sleds." "With horses?" "Yes, of course. It's lots of fun. Come on, let's try it." Out to the road they went, and waited for a passing sleigh. Soon Mr. Abercrombie's turnout came by. This gentleman was one of the richest men in Rockwell, and very dignified and exclusive. Indeed, he was a bit surly, and not very well liked by his fellow townsmen. But he had a fine sleigh and a magnificent pair of horses, which were driven by a coachman in a brave livery and fur cape. "Please give us a hitch," called out Molly, as the glittering equipage drew near. "Bless my soul!" exclaimed Mr. Abercrombie, as he looked at the child. Molly was always elf-like in appearance, but the wind had reddened her cheeks, and blown wisps of her straight black hair about her face, until she looked crazier than ever. The big sleigh had stopped, and Mr. Abercrombie glared at the group of children. "What did you say?" he demanded, and Molly repeated her request. Marjorie was a little shocked at the performance, but she thought loyalty to her guest required that she should stand by her, so she stepped to Molly's side and took hold of her hand. The two surprised boys were about to enter a protest, when Mr. Abercrombie smiled a little grimly, and said: