"Wasn't it a crazy party?" Mona went on, not realising she was on a dangerous subject. "They all took themselves so seriously." "Why shouldn't they?" said Patty, coming up out of her fur cave; "it might be better if we all took ourselves more seriously,--such a lot of triflers and sillyheads as we are!" "And such a lot of piffle-peddlers and hard-boiled eggs as they are!" said Philip, fairly snorting in disgust. "Oh, very well!" and Patty sank again into the chinchilla cavern. Roger touched Mona's foot with his own, and gave her an urgent, significant glance, as he said, with a determination to change the subject, "We'll just about get to Red Chimneys in time for luncheon. Shall we have our picnic before we explore the house? I'm as hungry as three bears and a hunter." "So'm I," agreed Van Reypen, taking the cue. "What's in the hampers? Unless something pretty substantial, I vote we go to a hotel to feast." "No," said Mona, "that wouldn't be half as much fun. It's the picnicking that's so jolly. If you agree, Patty," she added, for if Patty had any intention of sulking, there would be little fun in a picnic. But Patty Fairfield was no spoilsport. She was annoyed at Philip, but that was no reason for her to make the others uncomfortable, and she responded gaily, "Oh, yes, the picnic is lots more fun. But will the house be warm enough?" "Yes," Mona answered, "we telephoned down last night for Mr. Bates, the caretaker, to make some fires, and we can pile logs in the big hall fireplace till we roast alive. We can have the feast in the hall, if the dining-room is chilly." But they found the whole house fairly warm and distinctly cheery and homey-looking. Bates had aired and dusted it, and had built fires and altogether the beautiful rooms looked so attractive, that Mona declared she was half inclined not to give it up, after all. "We could rent it some years, Roger," she said, "and live in it some years, if we wanted to." "Just as you say, Mona," he replied; "it's your house. Wait until spring to decide, if you prefer." "All right," said Van Reypen, "but I fear we must decide on the house we buy before that. For we want to get the place we're to have in order as soon as Spring pokes her nose in." "We'll have luncheon first," Mona decided, "and then discuss the matter." The men opened the hampers, and the girls set the table in the great hall, near the roaring wood fire that filled the enormous fireplace. Salads and sandwiches, carefully packed, were in faultless condition, and the numerous Thermos bottles held hot soup, coffee, and chocolate. A small freezer of ice cream appeared from somewhere, and a box of confectionery contented the girls while the men smoked after the repast.