So her grandson, 'Lias, did not try any fancy steps. Privately, however, and much to Rose's amusement, Russ Bunker often tried to copy Sam's pigeon-wing step. "If we ever go to Aunt Jo's again--and of course we shall--I am going to get Sam to show me how to do it. I'll get it perfect some time," sighed the oldest Bunker boy. Vi, looking on at one of her brother's attempts, asked: "Doesn't it hurt the pigeon to cut its wing?" But that was a silly question, and they all laughed at her. Laddie grew suddenly excited. "Oh! I know a new riddle!" he cried. "It's a good riddle!" "What is it?" asked his twin sister. "It isn't a good riddle just because you made it up, Laddie," said Rose. "It would be a good one no matter who made it up," answered Laddie decidedly. "You let me tell it. I know it's good." "What is it, Laddie?" Russ Bunker asked. "Here is the riddle," said Laddie eagerly. "What sort of wing has no feathers on it? And the answer is, of course, 'A pigeon wing.' There! Isn't that a fine riddle?" "Pooh!" said Vi. "I don't think so." "Some pigeons' wings have feathers," said Rose. "Hoh!" cried Laddie, somewhat disturbed. "That one Russ was trying to make doesn't have any feathers on it." "That's only one kind, and it isn't really a pigeon's wing, you know." Laddie stared at his sister, Rose, with much doubt. "You're always disappointing me, Rose," he murmured. "But Rose is right, Laddie," said Russ. "And there are other wings that have no feathers." "What wings?" grumbled Laddie. "I know!" cried Vi suddenly. "Airplane wings! They haven't any feathers." "But they are no more like real wings," complained Rose, "than Russ's dancing step." "No," said the oldest Bunker boy. "I mean bat's wings. Don't you remember that bat we caught that time? Its wings didn't have feathers at all. It was covered with fur." "Oh, well," sighed Laddie. "Then my riddle isn't any good." "Not much, I am afraid," said Russ kindly but firmly. However, Laddie and the other little Bunkers did not have many disappointing things happen to them on this lovely Christmas Day. Mr. and Mrs. Armatage tried in every way to make the stay of their guests at the Meiggs Plantation as pleasant as possible. After the celebration at the quarters the white folks came home, and there at the big house a fine party was soon under way. People had come in their cars from far and near and the house was brilliantly lighted on the first two floors. The children were allowed to look on at this grown folks' party for a little while, then they had to go to bed. Phillis and Alice and Frane, Junior, seemed to consider it very hard that they were not allowed to stay downstairs; but the little Bunkers were used to having their own good times and did not expect to enter into the amusements of their elders.