," she said.

Patty was not robust, and continuous exertions often tired her. Nan had
cautioned her not to attempt too much gaiety during this visit, and she
wanted to rest before the evening's dance.

"Oh, pshaw!" said Elise, "there'll be lots of time. The dance won't begin
till nine, anyway."

So Patty agreed, and Roger went off to invite his skating party by
telephone.

He secured Kenneth, and the two Morses, and then he hung up the receiver.

"That's enough," he declared. "I don't like a big skating party. Slip
away, girls, and get your bonnets and shawls; the car'll be here in half
an hour."

The girls went off to dress, and Patty viewed her new skating costume
with decided approval.

It was all of white. A white cloth frock, with short skirt; white
broadcloth coat and a Russian turban of white cloth and fur; long white
leather leggings, and her Christmas furs, which added a charming touch to
the costume.

As being more comfortable for skating, she had returned to her former
mode of hair-dressing, and so two big white ribbon bows bloomed at the
back of her head. These, and the short skirt, quite took away Patty's
grown-up air, and made her seem a little girl again.

"Hello, Baby," said Roger, as he saw her come downstairs, with rosy
cheeks and eyes sparkling with pleasurable anticipation, for Patty loved
to skate.

"Mam-ma!" said Patty, putting her finger in her mouth, and assuming a
vacant, babyish stare.

Roger laughed at her foolishness, and then Elise came along and they all
went out to the car.

Elise's suit was of crimson cloth, bordered with dark fur, and as a
consequence the two girls together made a pretty picture.

"You're such a comfort, Patty," Elise said, as they climbed into the big
car. "You always dress just right to harmonise with my clothes."

"Sure you do!" said Roger, looking at the two girls admiringly. "No
fellow on the ice will escort such beautiful ladies as I have in my
charge. Now, we'll pick up Ken and the Morses, and then make a dash for
the Pole."

They reached the Park by three o'clock, so had nearly two hours of
skating before the dusk fell.

Patty was a superior skater, and so were most of the others, for Roger
had chosen his party with care.

"Skate with me, Patty, will you?" said Roger, just at the same moment
that Kenneth said, "Of course you'll skate with me, Patty."

Patty looked at both boys with a comical smile. "Thank you," she said;
"but I always lik