It fell to Frank's choice to go, and as he was about to leave Hans decided to keep him company. The pair was soon off, and this left the Rover boys and the Lanings to themselves. Satisfied that all was now right, the three brothers made the most of the evening thus afforded them, and so did the two girls, and all played, sang, and went in for various games until eleven o'clock. Then the lads retired to a room assigned to them. "I say," said Tom, as he prepared to turn in. "That adventure started queer-like, but we came out of it all right." "Yes, it couldn't be better," added Sam. At this Dick winked. "Especially as we landed at the Lanings' home," he observed. "What a pity it wasn't Dora's home, too," drawled Tom, and then as Dick shied a shoe at him he turned over and dropped off into the land of dreams. Early the next morning they started for Putnam Hall, John Laning driving them thither in his sleigh. It was a ride they enjoyed. The farmer dropped them at the door, and Captain Putnam stood ready to receive them. "I am glad you are safe back," he said, with some display of emotion. "Harrington and Mueller have given me the particulars of your night's adventure. Hereafter I want all of the cadets to remain off the lake during a snowstorm." "You may be sure we will remain off, captain," answered Dick. "One such adventure is enough for any fellow." After this happening nothing of special interest occurred until Christmas. Then the cadets gave their usual entertainment, including a little domestic drama called "Looking for a Quiet Boarding House." In this drama Tom and Larry acted the parts of two old maids who were taking boarders, while Dick, Sam, and eight others were the so-called boarders, or those looking for board. The play was filled with humorous situations, and the audience, in which were the Stanhopes and the Lanings, enjoyed it hugely. "If you fail in everything else, you had better go on the stage, Tom," said Nellie to that youth. "You make a splendid actor--or I should say actress," and she laughed. "How would you like to have me for a sister?" minced Tom, in the voice he had used in acting. "Thank you, but I don't want an old maid for a sister." "Then perhaps you don't want to be an old maid yourself," he retorted. "All right, I'll see to it that you are spared that annoyance." And then she boxed him playfully on the ears. She could not help but think a good deal of this open-hearted, fun-loving fellow. After the entertainment the boys went home, to remain over New Year's Day. Jack Ness, the hired man, met them at the railroad station in Oak Run and drove them through Dexter's Corners to Valley Brook farm. "It's good fer sore eyes to see ye back," said the hired man. "The folks is waitin' fer ye like a set o' children."