Then, with a whimsical thought that to sleep was the thing most worth doing at the present moment, Patty tumbled into the soft, white nest prepared for her and was soon sound asleep. Christmas Day was one of the finest. No snow, but a clear, cold, bracing air, that was exhilarating to breathe. "Skating this afternoon?" said Roger, after the Merry Christmas greetings had been exchanged. "Yes, indeed," cried Patty and Elise in one breath. "Let's get up a party, shall us?" went on Roger, "and skate till dusk, and then all come back here and have tea under the Christmas tree?" "Lovely!" cried Elise, but Patty hesitated. "You know we have the dance on for to-night," she said. Patty was not robust, and continuous exertions often tired her. Nan had cautioned her not to attempt too much gaiety during this visit, and she wanted to rest before the evening's dance. "Oh, pshaw!" said Elise, "there'll be lots of time. The dance won't begin till nine, anyway." So Patty agreed, and Roger went off to invite his skating party by telephone. He secured Kenneth, and the two Morses, and then he hung up the receiver. "That's enough," he declared. "I don't like a big skating party. Slip away, girls, and get your bonnets and shawls; the car'll be here in half an hour." The girls went off to dress, and Patty viewed her new skating costume with decided approval. It was all of white. A white cloth frock, with short skirt; white broadcloth coat and a Russian turban of white cloth and fur; long white leather leggings, and her Christmas furs, which added a charming touch to the costume. As being more comfortable for skating, she had returned to her former mode of hair-dressing, and so two big white ribbon bows bloomed at the back of her head. These, and the short skirt, quite took away Patty's grown-up air, and made her seem a little girl again. "Hello, Baby," said Roger, as he saw her come downstairs, with rosy cheeks and eyes sparkling with pleasurable anticipation, for Patty loved to skate. "Mam-ma!" said Patty, putting her finger in her mouth, and assuming a vacant, babyish stare. Roger laughed at her foolishness, and then Elise came along and they all went out to the car. Elise's suit was of crimson cloth, bordered with dark fur, and as a consequence the two girls together made a pretty picture. "You're such a comfort, Patty," Elise said, as they climbed into the big car. "You always dress just right to harmonise with my clothes." "Sure you do!" said Roger, looking at the two girls admiringly. "No fellow on the ice will escort such beautiful ladies as I have in my charge. Now, we'll pick up Ken and the Morses, and then make a dash for the Pole." They reached the Park by three o'clock, so had nearly two hours of skating before the dusk fell. Patty was a superior skater, and so were most of the others, for Roger had chosen his party with care.