"No; but it's so much more fun to pretend we are. Let's pretend we're on a mysterious mission, and if we are discovered we're lost!" So they crept downstairs silently, and reached the breakfast-room, without seeing any one except one or two of the maids, who were dusting about. Patty had on a trim, short skirt of white cloth and a blouse of soft white silk. Over this she wore a scarlet coat, and her golden curls were tucked into a little scarlet skating cap with a saucy, wagging tassel. But in the warm, cheery breakfast-room she threw off her coat and sat down at the table. "I didn't intend to eat anything," she said; "but the coffee smells so good, I think I'll have a cup of it, with a roll." She smiled at the waitress, who stood ready to attend to her wishes, and Hal took a seat beside her, saying he would have some coffee also. "We won't eat our breakfast now, you know," he went on; "but we'll come back with raging appetites and eat anything we can find. I say, this is jolly cosy, having coffee here together like this! I s'pose you won't come down every morning?" "No, indeed," and Patty laughed. "I don't mind admitting I hate to get up early. I usually breakfast in my room and dawdle around until all hours." "Just like a girl!" said Hal, sniffing a little. "Well, I _am_ a girl," retorted Patty. "You sure are! _Some_ girl, I should say! Well, now, Girl, if you're ready, let's start." He held Patty's scarlet coat for her while she slipped in her arms. Then he disappeared for a moment, and returned wearing a dark red sweater, which was very becoming to his athletic figure and broad shoulders. "Come on, Girl," he said, gathering 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.