IN THE HARD GREY WEATHER/' 37 



a cast is made for the nearest farm. The lad is 

 charmed with the snow, and his head is full of 

 Arctic voyages, while his tongue is wagging on 

 the same text. He has a secret ambition coyly 

 revealed to be an Esquimaux, and apparently 

 hopes to arrive at that exalted station in life when 

 big enough. His prattle lulls when the farm- 

 house is reached, and he is vexed at being an 

 object of rustic surprise and grinning wonder to 

 Tim Callaghan. Tim pronounces that the 

 snow will continue until dark, so the fowler and 

 his companion are conveyed home, the driver ot 

 the car drawing the curtains closely round 

 them, and mounting his box pelted by the 

 flakes which fall faster and thicker every 

 minute. Before the journey is concluded the 

 harsh clatter and jingle of the vehicle is ex- 

 changed for a noiseless velvety sliding over 

 the snow-covered road, the youngster is fast 

 asleep, and in the wonderful quiet and stillness 

 the fowler whiles away the hour of tedious 

 travel with a cigar. 



