hering up their skates, and off they
started.

"It's nearly half a mile to the lake. Are you good for that much
walk?" Ferris asked, as they swung along at a brisk pace.

"Oh, yes, indeed, I like to walk; and I like to skate, but I like best
of all to dance."

"I should think you would,--you're a ripping dancer. You know,
to-night we'll have 'Sir Roger de Coverley' and old-fashioned dances
like that. You like them?"

"Yes, for a change; but I like the new ones best. Are we going to have
any dressing up to-night? I do love dressing up."

"Glad rags, do you mean?"

"No; I mean fancy costumes."

"Oh, that. Well, old Jim's going to be Santa Claus. I don't think
anybody else will wear uncivilised clothes."

"But I want to. Can't you and I rig up in something, just for fun?"

"Oh, I say! that would be fun. What can we be? Romeo and Juliet, or
Jack and Jill?"

"Oh, no, nothing like that. Something more like Christmas, you know.
Well, I'll think it over through the day, and we'll fix it up."

Skating on the lake so early in the morning proved to be glorious
exercise. The ice was perfect, and the crisp, clear air filled them
with exhilaration.

Both were good skaters, and though they did not attempt fancy figures,
they spent nearly an hour skating around the lake.

"That's the best skate I ever had!" declared Hal, when they concluded
to return home.

"It certainly was fine," declared Patty, "and by the time we've walked
back to the house, I shall be quite ready for some eggs and bacon."

"And toast and marmalade," supplemented Ferris.

"I wonder if Daisy will be down. Does she come down to breakfast
usually?"

"Sometimes and sometimes not," answered Ferris, carelessly. "She's a
law unto herself, is Daisy Dow."

"You've known her a long time, haven't you?"

"Just about all our lives. Used to go to school together, and we were
always scrapping. Daisy's a nice girl, and a pretty girl, but she sure
has got a temper."

"And a good thing to have sometimes. I often wish I had more."

"Nonsense! you're perfect just as you are."

"Oh, what a pretty speech! If you're going to talk like that, I shall
take the longest way home."

"I'd willingly agree to that, but I don't believe you're in need of
further exercise just now. Come, own up you're a little bit tired."

"Hardly enough to call it tired, but if there is a short cut home
let's take it."

"And what about the pretty speeches I'm to make to you?"

"L