You must wear the blue and primrose , with the distracting high-heeled shoes . Have you any suits for the men ? '' asked Emily , throwing herself at once into the all-absorbing matter of costume . `` A claret velvet coat and vest , silk stockings , cocked hat and snuff-box for Randal . Nothing large enough for Saul , so he must wear his uniform . Wo n't Aunt Plumy be superb in this plum-colored satin and immense cap ? '' A delightful morning was spent in adapting the faded finery of the past to the blooming beauty of the present , and time and tongues flew till the toot of a horn called them down to dinner . The girls were amazed to see Randal come whistling up the road with his trousers tucked into his boots , blue mittens on his hands , and an unusual amount of energy in his whole figure , as he drove the oxen , while Saul laughed at his vain attempts to guide the bewildered beasts . `` It 's immense ! The view from the hill is well worth seeing , for the snow glorifies the landscape and reminds one of Switzerland . I 'm going to make a sketch of it this afternoon ; better come and enjoy the delicious freshness , young ladies . '' Randal was eating with such an appetite that he did not see the glances the girls exchanged as they promised to go . `` Bring home some more winter-green , I want things to be real nice , and we have n't enough for the kitchen , '' said Ruth , dimpling with girlish delight as she imagined herself dancing under the green garlands in her grandmother 's wedding gown . It was very lovely on the hill , for far as the eye could reach lay the wintry landscape sparkling with the brief beauty of sunshine on virgin snow . Pines sighed overhead , hardy birds flitted to and fro , and in all the trodden spots rose the little spires of evergreen ready for its Christmas duty . Deeper in the wood sounded the measured ring of axes , the crash of falling trees , while the red shirts of the men added color to the scene , and a fresh wind brought the aromatic breath of newly cloven hemlock and pine . `` How beautiful it is ! I never knew before what winter woods were like . Did you , Sophie ? '' asked Emily , sitting on a stump to enjoy the novel pleasure at her ease .
`` I 've found out lately ; Saul lets me come as often as I like , and this fine air seems to make a new creature of me , '' answered XXXXX , looking about her with sparkling eyes , as if this was a kingdom where she reigned supreme .
Emily Pines Randal Sophie Switzerland finery fro garlands hemlock winter-green