ept for this there would have been no sadness when the time of
parting came. But the Curlytops could not help seeing that their father
and mother looked rather worried.

"I hope Dad doesn't lose that money," said Ted.

"So do I," echoed his sister, with a sigh.

But they were not sad for long. The day came when the children were to
depart for their holiday stay at Uncle Toby's cabin on the shore of
Crystal Lake.

"All aboard!" cried the jolly old gentleman, as the automobile drew up
in front of the house to take along the Curlytops, Trouble, Tom, Lola,
Uncle Toby himself, and Skyrocket. "All aboard!"

"Good-bye! Good-bye!" cried the children, as they piled in. The dog
barked his farewells.

"Have a good time!" said Mother Martin, and there was just a tear or two
in her eyes as she waved her hands.

"We'll have you all back again after Christmas!" said Daddy Martin.

"Oh, what fun we'll have at Christmas!" shouted Ted.

"All aboard!" called Uncle Toby again, and they were off on the first
part of their trip to the country for the holidays.

CHAPTER VI

A FLURRY OF SNOW

Uncle Toby drove the Martin automobile through the streets of Cresco.
The car was a large, comfortable, roomy one, all inclosed, so that the
cold weather would make no difference. There was even a small heating
apparatus, a sort of radiator kept warm by the muffler under the car, so
that the children would be cozy and warm even in a snow storm.

"There's Tommie Wilson!" called Ted, as he saw a boy walking along the
street. "He's got to go to school!"

"Yes, and there's Bob Newton," added Tom. "I guess they wish they were
like us, and didn't have to go to school!"

"Oh, you'll have to go to school as soon as we get out to Crystal Lake,"
declared Uncle Toby. "Don't imagine, because you are going to have
holiday fun, that you won't have to go to school."

"But it'll be more fun going to school out there than it will be here,"
said Tom.

"Sure it will!" agreed Ted.

Lola and Jan leaned over toward the side window of the auto to wave to
Jennie Jackson, a girl they both knew, and Jennie waved back, wonder
showing on her face at the appearance of the Curlytops and their
playmates going off in an automobile. And when the other children of
Cresco learned what had happened to Ted, Jan, Tom, and Lola there were
some sighs of disappointment that such good luck had not happened to
every boy and girl.

Skyrocket seemed to be enjoying hi