her
at Christmas.

"You didn't seem so cold when we were up in the old lumber camp,"
remarked Betty. "You skated and ice-boated with the rest of us, and
seemed to enjoy it."

"I know, but it was a different sort of cold up there--so dry, and not
so penetrating as down here. The wind seems to go right through me," and
again the tall girl shivered.

"It doesn't take long----" began Mollie, and then she stopped short and
bit her lips to keep back a smile.

"Long to do what?" asked Grace, curiously.

"Never mind," spoke Mollie. "You might get angry."

"I will not. I haven't your----"

This time it was Grace who caught herself in time.

"Go on--say it. You may as well as think it!" snapped Mollie, with some
asperity. "You were going to say you hadn't my temper, weren't you,
now?"

"Well, yes, I was," said Grace, slowly. "And you were going to say I was
so thin that the wind didn't take long to go through me; weren't you?"
challenged Grace.

"Yes, I was, and----"

"Girls--Mollie--Grace!" cried Betty, anxious not to see a quarrel. "What
can I do to pour oil on troubled waters? Let's talk about--Florida."

"Don't pour cod liver oil, whatever you do," said Grace, quickly. "I had
to take some of the horrid stuff the last cough I had, and I can taste
it yet. Where are my chocolates? Oh, thank you, Amy," as the latter
passed them over. "Have some. These have maraschino cherries inside."

"Leave it to Grace to discover something luxurious in the candy line,"
observed Mollie.

"Well, I notice that you're only too glad to eat them," and Grace fairly
snapped out the words.

"Oh, dear! It seems hopeless to keep peace between you two to-day,"
sighed Betty. "Can't you be nice? Especially after Amy has asked us
over here to talk about the trip. Let's talk about----"

"What to wear!" exclaimed Amy, with a bright thought. "You see we'll
have to take two sets of clothing. One to wear until we get to Florida,
and the other after we arrive at the orange grove. We'll need thin
things there. Aunt Stonington is making me up some pretty voile and
white muslin dresses."

"I was wondering whether I ought to take my furs," said Grace.

"Furs in Florida!" cried Mollie. "Never!"

"But it will be cold going down," said Grace. "It's cold even in
Washington, now. I think I'll wear them. I may not get another chance
this winter if we stay there very long."

"We can stay as long as we like," said Amy. "Uncle Stonington says he'll