"She used to, but she said she didn't think she would today. She's going to take a book along."

"We'll build her a fire," said Lois.

"Out of the wind," added Polly.

"Let's take a steamer rug," Betty said, not to be outdone, and the rest added other suggestions.

The plans that had been offered earlier in the morning for the utter obliteration of the Spartan were now converted into plans for the ease and comfort of Mrs. Baird.

At three o'clock every one was ready to start, the girls armed with skates and hockey sticks. Mrs. Baird, dressed in a rough tweed walking suit, carried a book, and looked, save for her gray hair, as young as either of the Seniors.

"Come along," she called, "we've a long walk ahead of us and time is flying." And off they started.

The steep descent that led to the river from Seddon Hall proved to be, not only long, but very tedious. The path was completely hidden by the snow, and an unseen tree root or stone caused many a trip up that terminated in a long slide down hill.

It was so funny to see some one suddenly plunge up to their waist in deep snow, and then roll, arms and legs in the air, for five or ten feet, that the girls were in hysterics most of the walk.

When the river was finally reached without mishap and too much loss of time, they were weak from laughing.

"Well," announced Mrs. Baird, tears of mirth in her eyes; she had had her share of troubles too, "we will not go back that way, we would never reach home. We'll go through the village by way of the station. Now don't bother about me, get on your skates," she added, as she saw the girls spreading out a steamer rug and collecting bits of wood for a fire.

But they insisted on making her comfortable first.

Polly and Betty made a fire and Louise and Florence fixed the rug in a small enclosure made by a clump of bushes, and situated directly under a big overhanging rock.

When these preparations were over, Mrs. Baird settled down comfortably and opened her book, and the girls put on their skates.

"Say what you please," said Polly, "it's not as smooth here as it was on the pond, and there's a crack over there."

This was true. The sun had been shining steadily, and in spots the ice had melted on the river, leaving an inch or so of slush on the surface.

"Never mind, we can keep away from it, we've the whole place to ourselves," exulted Betty, looking out over the expanse of ice, and not seeing a single person in sight. "Come on!"

Off they glided each by herself, at first, to get the swing. Then they organized a hockey game, and for a while they skated furiously.

"Fifth time for you, Bet, you're a wonder," Florence called as Betty sent the flat disc sailing past Angela, through the goal posts that were serving in place of cages.

"Oh! I can't stop those, they come too fast; somebody change places with me," said Angela. "This is too strenuous for me."

"Oh, nonsense," cried Polly. "Get in the game, Ange, come on up in the center, I'll play guard, if you like."

"All right."

"Everybody ready?"

"Play."

"Zip," sang the puck, darting here and there, in obedience to the click, click of the busy hockey sticks.

Florence and Lois were fighting over it. Polly, Betty, Connie and Louise tried to interfere, and for a minute there was a wild skirmish. In the excitement, Angela, who was hovering around the outside, got in some one's way and fell flat.

"Stop, Ange is down."

"What did you do that for?" Angela demanded, as she sat up and rubbed her back. "I thought I was keeping out of it."

"Did you hurt yourself?"

"No, not much, but I've had enough."

"So have I."

"What will we do next?"

"Let's crack the whip," suggested Betty. "You lead, Con."

"Not I, I can't go fast enough."

"Louise, you lead."

"All right, who's on the end."

Lois opened her mouth to speak and stopped. She was looking over Louise's shoulder. Coming toward her were four boys dressed in the uniform of the Military School that was situated on another hill along the Hudson, about five miles north of Seddon Hall. She knew who they were at once, for she had often pa.s.sed groups of them in the village, or met them when out on a straw ride.

"Look," she said in an undertone, for the boys were already within ear shot.

The girls turned.

"Oh! the d.i.c.kens," exclaimed Betty crossly, "why couldn't they have gone somewhere else?"

Mrs. Baird had also seen the new arrivals and noticed the girls'

hesitation. She beckoned Louise to her side.

"Don't pay any attention to them," she said, "and I'm sure they won't disturb you."

Louise nodded and returned to the girls.

"Let's play hockey again," she suggested.

"What about the boys?" inquired Connie.

"Don't pay any attention to them."

"Well, come on, let's start," Florence whirled into position. But Angela's eyes were glued to the group of boys.

"Stop staring," Betty whispered.

"I can't help it, I never saw a boy with redder hair." Instinctively they all turned.