country at this time of the year. The wind made so much noise that the children did not mind the squirrels at all. They somehow managed to sleep.
But when the family woke in the morning they could hardly see outdoors! The snow was so deep that it covered the lower half of the one window.
“Poor Grandfather,” said Violet as she tried to look out. “I’m sure he is worrying about us.” She climbed on the window seat and looked over the snow, then she called, “Henry, you won’t believe it! The snow is up to the bird feeder and the basket is buried in snow.”
Benny, Jessie, and Henry climbed up to look. They could see only the handle of the basket.
“My radio!” shouted Benny. He almost fell off the window seat. “I’ll tune in Greenfield and get the news. Maybe they’re sending out special messages because of the storm.”
Jessie began to get breakfast. Henry started to put on his warmest clothes, but he did not explain why.
“Listen, here’s the news,” Benny said.
The newsman on the radio said, “As a service to our listeners during the blizzard we are broadcasting special messages. Please listen carefully. Mr. Allan Moore is safe, but he wants his family to know that he can’t get home today. The Police Chief wants people to stay calm. The streets will be cleared as soon as possible. The Fire Department wants everyone to be careful about overheating stoves and causing fires. Mr. James Alden wants to notify his grandchildren that they should stay in the hunters’ cabin. He will get help to them as soon as he can.”
Benny said, “Just like Grandfather!”
“Isn’t it?” said Jessie. She was feeling better now, after hearing the news from her grandfather. “I think I shall make some more hot chocolate for breakfast. We all need something hot.”
But when she turned the faucet, nothing happened.
“No water, Henry!” she cried.
“I bet the pipe is frozen,” said Henry.
“Never mind, never mind!” said Jessie, smiling.
“What’s the idea, Jessie?” asked Benny.
“I’m going to make hot chocolate just the same. I’m going to melt some snow.”
Henry opened the door wide enough to scoop up the snow with the big saucepan. “Heap it high, Henry,” Jessie said. “It will soon melt down.”
She put the pan on the stove. The great pile of soft, white snow began to get smaller and smaller. In a little while the water boiled.
“I’ll use the powdered milk in the chocolate,” said Jessie.
The family enjoyed breakfast. The hot chocolate helped them all.
Then they knew why Henry had put on heavy clothes. He said, “I’m going out, Ben, to see if I can shovel out this new snow around the house. And I want to get the snow cleared again from the bird feeder. Want to come?”
“Of course,” said Benny. “Wait till I get dressed.”
The snow was up to Benny’s waist. The boys dug out the narrow path around the house, throwing the snow off to one side. The wind blew and the snow got in their eyes.
Inside the cabin the girls could hear the two shovels going. “Let’s get dressed,” said Violet.
Then Jessie said, “Look at that window!”
The snow was disappearing! The girls could see a shovel come in and go out, taking a pile of snow with it.
“Good. We can begin to see out,” nodded Jessie. “Those boys are strong.”
Soon the Aldens could see each other through the window, two girls on one side and two boys on the other. They waved and laughed.
The boys were tired when they came in to lunch. But Henry said, “After lunch I must go and get more wood. Want to come, Ben?”
“You bet I want to come,” answered Benny. “But this time I’m going to wear snowshoes. I don’t like to sink down into the snow. It’s too deep.”
“What are you going to use for snowshoes?” asked Jessie.
“Those two big kettle covers on the shelf. They don’t go with any kettles we have here.”
“I suppose a long time ago the hunters had two big kettles up here,” said