'I'll go, Nettie dear,' said Denis, and his little sister, looking at him, saw that, though he was very pale, there was a look of determination on his face. He turned to the door, and Nettie, choking back a sob, turned back to her place at table, when suddenly the door burst open with a bang, and the two truants, Alex and Lambert, rushed in breathless and laughing. With a great sigh of relief Denis clambered up again on to his chair. 'We've had such a race,' Alex began; 'we wanted to see who'd get to the end of the gallery first. I expect those old grandfathers and grandmothers are rather shocked at the noise we make, sometimes.' 'There's one at this end who does look so cross,' said Lambert. 'The one with the yellow satin dress, and her mouth screwed up _so_.' He illustrated his words with great effect--'just like Linda, when she's in a temper. Ah! yes, that's it, Linda,' for his sister had turned from him with dignified disgust. 'I'm sure I don't want such an ugly old thing for a great-grandmother, but I'm afraid she must be some relation, she's so like Linda.' 'Nurse,' began Linda, '_do_ make Lambert leave off, he is _so_'---- But a voice at the door interrupted her. 'Boys,' it said, and the children looking round caught sight of their father. Up jumped the boys, and would have rushed towards him, had he not stopped them. 'Don't be so excited,' he went on. 'I only want to tell you that if the weather continues as it is, your cousins and I are going to Hatchetts to skate to-morrow. There is to be a large party there, for it is a capital place. Alex and Lambert, you may come with us if you like. We shall be back before your bedtime, any way.' There was a shout of satisfaction from the boys, but Linda looked considerably annoyed. 'I'm sure father wouldn't take you,' she whispered to Lambert, who was sitting beside her, 'if he knew how rude you are.' 'I wish Nettie and I might go,' she said aloud. '_Couldn't_ we, father? The pond here is such a horrid little place for skating, and we can skate so well now.' 'Me go too. Mayn't me go too?' began Baby, at which everybody except Linda laughed. 'You, my pet!' said her father. 'Why, you'd be lost in the snow, and what would we do then without our Baby?' Denis looked very grave. 'Prin would try to get her out,' he remarked. 'Like the dogs up in those snowy hills.' 'He means the St Bernard dogs,' said Nettie. 'Mother told us stories about them.' 'Ah, yes!' said her father. 'But they are ever so much bigger than Prince, my boy. Much more fear of Prince being lost himself in a snowstorm, than of his rescuing anyone else, poor little dog.' 'But there isn't going to be a snowstorm,' said Linda. 'Father, mightn't we go--I anyway?'