Midnight
To be pitched out of the sleigh in the soft snow is not so bad . No doubt we shall meet him and Dan plodding wearily along . '' This the worthy man said to calm Nellie 's fears , though in his own heart there was real anxiety , and he was not long in placing the horses fast to the big sled . But before he left he stopped to turn Midnight into the barn floor , threw on her blanket , and left her quietly munching a liberal supply of hay . Mrs. Larkins was not long in making her appearance , and did what she could to bring comfort to Nellie 's anxious heart . She also went with her back to the Rectory to await her husband 's return . How the time did drag by !