I remember how it looked on the snow when Billy upset us."-- He had found his letter-writing hard work, and let it alone for a time.
Before he finished it, he had more serious news to add.
The autumnal sunset of the year, the red and gold of maple, oak and sassafras, was new to the boy who had spent so many years in Europe, and more wonderful was it when in this late October on the uplands there fell softly upon the glowing colours of the woods a light covering of early snow.

Once seen it is a spectacle never to be forgotten, and he had the gift of being charmed by the scenic ingenuities of nature.
The scripture reading was over and he was thinking late in the evening of what he had seen, when his aunt said, "Goodnight, John--bed-time," and went up the stairway.

John lay quiet, with closed eyes, seeing the sunlit snow lightly dusted on the red and yellows of the forest.
About eleven his uncle came from the library.

"What, you scamp!--up so late! I meant to mail this letter to-day; run down and mail it.

It ought to go when Billy takes the letters to Westways Crossing early to-morrow.
I will wait up for you.