"Chicken Little, I envy you--you are going to see so many things that most people shut their eyes to." Jane studied about this, but she hardly liked to ask what things Mrs. Webb meant, because that lady seemed to expect her to know, and she felt she would appear stupid not to. She lay awake a long time that night; the music seemed to be splashing over her in little waves of melody. Even after she had once fallen asleep, she awakened to find her brain still humming the insistent measures. The next morning she went downtown with her hostess and met Mamie Jenkins in a store. "Why, Chicken Little, I didn't know you were in town? Your brother didn't say anything about your being here." "Frank? Is he in already?" "Yes, I just saw him. Say, did you know a crowd of us are going out to his house to-night to an oyster supper?" "No, who's going?" "Oh, a lot of the town boys and girls, and Grant Stowe and me. John Hardy asked him if a crowd of us couldn't come out to-night and surprise your sister, and Frank said come along, he'd have some hot oysters for us. The boys have got a big bobsled from the livery stable. I bet we have a lovely time. Why don't you and Sherm stay in and go out with us--I guess there'll be room. Anyhow, you can always crowd more into a bobsled, it's more fun when you're packed in." Mamie giggled expressively. Jane was surprised to learn that Sherm had come in with Frank and she was also extremely doubtful whether her mother would approve of her waiting to come out with the party. John Hardy's crowd was one of the gayest in town and they were very much grown up. But her outing the previous evening had given her a taste for grown-up things; she was eager for the lark and resolved to tease Frank to let her stay in. Frank studied the matter for several minutes, but finally consented rather reluctantly. He saw Sherm was also keen for the fun. "All right, Sis, that set are pretty old for a kid like you and I'll have a time squaring myself with Mother. But you don't have many good times and Sherm's steady enough to look after you. They are planning to start early. I guess you'll get home by eight." Frank left for the ranch about three o'clock to warn Marian of her surprise party. Mrs. Webb had insisted that Sherm stay with them for an early supper. The party had arranged to start at six. With a good team they should reach the ranch easily by eight, have two hours for merry-making, and get back to town by midnight. The cold had moderated through the day; by five o'clock, the sky was leaden gray and it looked like snow. Some of the fathers and mothers were doubtful as to whether they ought to risk so long a drive. But the weather was ideal, if it only didn't snow, and there might not be another night during the holidays when they could all go.