"Aunt Rose," exclaimed Tom Gray, several mornings after the Christmas dance, "I have a scheme; but, before I ask your permission to carry it out, I want you to grant it." "Why do you ask it at all, then, Tom, dear?" answered his aunt. "Because we want your seal and sanction upon the undertaking," replied Tom, giving the old lady an affectionate squeeze. "Is it granted, little Lady Gray?" he asked. "I am merely groping about in the dark, my boy, but I trust to your good sense not to ask me anything too outrageous. Tell me what it is quickly, so that I may know exactly how deeply I am implicated." "Well," said Tom, "here's the scheme in a nutshell. I want to give a picnic." Mrs. Gray groaned. "A picnic, boy? Whoever heard of a picnic in mid-winter. What mad notion is this?" "But you have given your consent, aunty, and no honorable woman can go back on her word." "So I have, child, but explain to me quickly what a winter picnic is so that I may know the worst at once." "A winter picnic is a glorious tramp in the woods, with a big camp-fire at noon, for food, warmth and rest, and then a tramp back again." "And can I trust to you to take good care of my four girls? Anne and Jessica are not giants for strength. You must not walk them too far, or let them get chilled; and, if you find they are growing tired, you must bring them straight back." "On my word of honor, as a gentleman and a Gray, I promise," said Tom, solemnly. "And you will all be in before dark?" continued Mrs. Gray. "We promise," continued the young people. "Wear your stoutest shoes and warmest clothing," she went on. "We promise," they cried. "And we want a lot of lunch, aunt," said Tom coaxingly, "and some nice raw bacon for cooking and eating purposes." "You shall have everything you want," said Mrs. Gray, "but who will carry the lunch?" "We will distribute it on the backs of our four pack mules," replied Grace. "But Hippy must carry the coffee-pot. He's not to be trusted with food." "Now, wouldn't it be a remarkable sight to see a pack mule eating off his own back!" observed Hippy. "There are several animals that can turn their heads all the way around, I believe, but not the human animal." "We had better start as soon as possible," broke in Tom. "Hurry up, girls, and get ready, while the servants fix the lunch." In half an hour eight young people, well muffled and mittened, started off toward the open country. It was a clear, cold day and the snow-covered fields and meadows sparkled in the sunshine. "If I were a gypsy by birth, as well as by inclination," declared Tom, as they trudged gayly along, "I should take to the road in the early spring, and never see a roof again until cold weather." "But being a member of a respectable family and about to enter college, you have to sleep in a bed under cover?" added David.