"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?" "Leave those till after breakfast. Or leave them till this evening and give them to me for a Christmas gift." "Under the mistletoe?" and Ferris looked mischievous. "Certainly not," said Patty, with great dignity. "I'm too grown-up for such foolishness as that!" "Oh, I don't know," said Ferris. * * * * * The appearance of the two runaways in the breakfast-room was greeted with shouts of surprise. Adele knew they had gone skating, but no one else did, and it was supposed they hadn't yet come downstairs. Patty's glowing cheeks were almost as scarlet as her coat and cap, while Ferris was grinning with boyish enthusiasm. "Top o' the morning to you all," he cried. "Me and Miss Fairfield, we've been skating for an hour." "On the lake?" cried Daisy, in surprise. "Why, you must have started before sunrise." "Oh, no, not that," declared Patty, as, throwing off her wraps, she took a seat next to Adele; "but long enough to get up a ravenous appetite. I hope the Kenerley larder is well stocked." "Why didn't you let us all in on this game?" asked the host. "I think a morning skating party would be just about right." "All right," said Patty. "We'll have one any morning you say. I shall be here for a fortnight, and I'll go any morning you like." "I won't go," declared Mona. "I hate skating, and I hate getting up early, so count me out." "I doubt if any one goes very soon," said Adele, "for I think there's a storm coming. It looks bright out of doors, but it feels like snow in the air." "It does," agreed her brother; "and I hope it will snow. I'd like a real good, old-fashioned snowstorm for Christmas." "Well, I hope it won't begin before night," said Adele. "We've a lot to do to-day. I want you all to help me decorate the tree and fix the presents."