ght," went on Ted.

He tossed Tom the cookie and Tom held it in front of the goat's nose.
Surely enough Nicknack reached out for it, but as soon as he did this
Tom stepped back a little way, the goat following.

This was done two or three times, Nicknack getting nearer the icy pond
each time, until at last he had all four rubber-covered feet on it.

"Shall I give him the cookie now?" asked Tom.

"No, make him come a little farther for it," answered Ted, who was
sitting on the sled in front, holding Nicknack's reins, while Janet sat
behind her brother.

So Tom backed a little farther away from the goat, that still walked on
to get the cookie which he could smell, and which he wanted very much.
And before Nicknack knew it he was walking over the ice and he did not
slip at all, for the pieces of rubber on his hoofs held him up, just as
they would have held up Teddy or Janet.

"Now he's all right!" called Teddy. "He can walk on the ice now, and
run, too, I guess. Give him the cookie, Tom."

So Nicknack had the cookie, and then Teddy drove him over and around the
pond. Nicknack seemed to like it, now that he did not slip.

When Teddy and Janet had had a good ride they let Tom and Lola take a
turn, Tom driving, and the goat went as well for him as it had gone for
Teddy.

"I didn't know a goat was as much fun in winter as it is in summer,"
said Tom. "I wish I had one."

"We'll give you more rides when we get a big sled," promised Ted.

"Are you going to get one?" Lola asked.

"We're going to ask our father for one," replied Ted. "And I guess he'll
let us have it so we can take Trouble out for rides. Giddap, Nicknack!"
and once more he started the goat across the ice.

The Curlytops and their friends had great sport with the goat and sled
that day, and Nicknack hardly slipped at all. He was getting used to the
ice, Tom said.

After two days during which the Curlytops had fun with their sleds and
skates, it began to snow again, covering the ground yet deeper with the
white flakes, while the frozen pond and lake were buried out of sight.

"No more skating for a while," said Tom Taylor, as he walked to school
with Teddy and Jan one morning.

"No. But we can sleigh-ride and build a snow fort," answered Ted.

"And a snow man, too," added Janet.

"Why not make a snow house?" asked Lola. "The snow is soft and it will
pack well. Let's make a snow house!"

"We will!" cried Ted. "We'll start one after school in our