Indeed, the Tabling troubled me least. And when I considered how kind they all were to me, a Stranger, and how great must be the Sufferings of the Poor and Needy in such a Season, I felt I was quite wicked to be secretly complaining merely because of the Infestivity. I played at Tit-tat-to with _Joe_, and posed him with hard Riddles, and he in return put it to me--"If a Herring and a Half cost three Halfpence, how far is it to _Tyburn_ Turnpike?" which I told him had puzzled me before he was born; and then I puzzled him by asking, if a Herring and a Half cost three Halfpence, how many could he buy for Sixpence; which took him a good While to make out. The Girls, seeing me condescend to their younger Brother, began to think me less formidable, and to make some bashful Efforts at my Entertainment; and I then offered to tell their Fortunes, and showed them some simple Hocus-pocussing, which presently set us all laughing; and I found that the surest Way of being entertained is to entertain. Besides, we got a little Exercise by this; for some of the Conjurations led to hiding, and seeking, and turning quickly round, and playing Forfeits. So that we got on pretty well after a Time; only, all the While I was thinking when will the Frost break up, and, shall I be able to get Home? All this While, we were in Suspense about _Gatty's_ Safety, and unable to get any Letter from her; nor did Mrs. _Bowerbank_, by a single Word or Hint, enable me to guess whether _Gatty_ had told her of Anything particular that Mr. _Heavitree_ had said to her or not. My only Reason for thinking she had, was her _Mother's_ sometimes falling into a Reverie as she sate by the Fire, with a quiet Smile on her Face, as though she were a thinking of Somewhat mighty pleasant; and again, by her frequently praising _Gatty_ to us all, for her Frankness and steady Pursuit of Duty. At length, the Snow began to yield a little; and just as Mrs. _Bowerbank_ was beginning to consider whether she might not send _Nanny_ into the Town for Letters and other Things much wanted, a Farm-Labourer from _Roaring House_ came trudging through the Snow, and said he had found a Letter lying at the Post-Office for Mrs. _Bowerbank_, and had thought she might be glad to have it. The Man got a Cup of warm Beer for his Pains; and Mrs. _Bowerbank_, seeing the Direction in _Gatty's_ Hand, came into the Parlour to read the Letter by the Fire, and communicate the best Part of it to us.