earing what Uncle Toby
remarked.

"That's a secret," was the smiling answer, and he made a sign to Mrs.
Martin that he would explain to her later. As for Ted and Jan they were
so excited over the prospect of going to spend the holidays in the
country cabin of Uncle Toby that they danced up and down and around the
room, swinging Trouble with them.

"I'm going over to tell Tom!" cried Ted.

"And I'll tell Lola," added his sister.

"Wait a while, Curlytops," advised Mrs. Martin. "Let's see what daddy
says."

The children felt that they never could wait until their father came
home from the store that evening. But he did arrive at last. Ted and
Janet were sure he was late, but, as a matter of fact, he was a little
ahead of his usual time, Mother Martin having telephoned to him about
the visit of Uncle Toby. The latter had come along suddenly, not even
writing to say that he was on his way.

"I just got the notion into my head that I wanted the Curlytops and some
of their playmates out at my place on a holiday visit," he explained,
"and so I packed up and come on. Didn't pack up much either," he said.
"Just a bag. And I left that at the station and took the short cut
across lots. Good thing I did," he concluded, winking at Teddy.

"You must never again go sliding on the ice until you are sure it will
hold you," said Mr. Martin to his son. "Just because it held up
Skyrocket doesn't prove that it will hold you. If you don't promise to
be careful I can't let you go to Crystal Lake!"

"Oh, we'll be careful!" promised Ted and Janet in one breath.

"I guess this means that you've made up your mind to let them come with
me, is that so?" asked Uncle Toby.

"I think it will be the best thing that could happen," answered Daddy
Martin. "Ruth and I must go to see about that property. It will take
both of us to clear matters up and save my money. I know the children
will be in good hands when they are with you and Aunt Sallie. So we'll
let them go."

"And can we take Skyrocket?" begged Jan.

"Oh, yes, I guess so," replied Uncle Toby. "My two dogs, Tip and Top,
have been sold. I haven't as many pets as I had, though Jack, the
monkey, Mr. Nip, the parrot, and Snuff, the cat, I have kept. I want
them for company."

"Then if we take our dog it will be just about right," decided Ted.
"We'll leave Turnover, our cat, here with Nora."

"Yes, she'll need company," said Mrs. Martin. "And do you really mean it
about taking some p