ld。
It snowed every day now； sometimes only brief flurries that powdered the
glittering snow crust； sometimes for real； the low whistle of the wind cranking
up to a womanish shriek that made the old hotel rock and groan alarmingly even
in its deep cradle of snow。 Night temperatures had not gotten above 10°； and
although the thermometer by the kitchen service entrance sometimes got as high
as 25° in the early afternoons； the steady knife edge of the wind made it
unfortable to go out without a ski mask。 But they all did go out on the days
when the sun shone； usually wearing two sets of clothing and mittens on over
their gloves。 Getting out was almost a pulsive thing； the hotel was circled
with the double track of Danny's Flexible Flyer。 The permutations were nearly
endless： Danny riding while his parents pulled； Daddy riding and laughing while
Wendy and Danny tried to pull （it was just possible for them to pull him on the
icy crust； and flatly impossible when powder covered it）； Danny and Mommy
riding； Wendy riding by herself while her menfolk pulled and puffed white vapor
like drayhorses； pretending she was heavier than she was。 They laughed a great
deal on these sled excursions around the house； but the whooping and impersonal
voice of the wind； so huge and hollowly sincere； made their laughter seem tinny
and forced。
They had seen caribou tracks in the snow and once the caribou themselves； a
group of five standing motionlessly below the security fence。 They had all taken
turns with Jack's Zeiss…Ikon binoculars to see them better； and looking at them
had given Wendy a weird； unreal feeling： they were standing leg…deep i