afraid of them. Each bonbon had a motto
paper in it and some sort of fancy article made of paper. Bert got an
apron, which he promptly pinned on, much to the amusement of the girls.
Nan drew a workman's cap and put it on, and this caused another laugh.
There were all sorts of caps, hats, and aprons, and one big bonbon,
which went to Flossie, had a complete dress in it, of pink and white
paper. Another had some artificial flowers, and still another a tiny
bottle of cologne.

While the supper was going on, Mr. Lavine had darkened the parlor and
stretched a sheet over the folding doors, and as soon as the young
people were through eating they were treated to a magic-lantern
exhibition by the gentleman of the house and one of the big boys, who
assisted him. There were all sorts of scenes, including some which were
very funny and made the boys and girls shriek with laughter. One was a
boy on a donkey, and another two fat men trying to climb over a fence.
Then came a number of pictures made from photograph negatives, showing
scenes in and around Lakeport. There were the lake steamer, and the main
street, and one picture of the girls and boys rushing out of school at
dinner time. The last was voted the best of all, and many present tried
to pick themselves out of this picture and did so.

After the exhibition was over one of the largest of the girls sat down
to the piano and played. By this time some of the older folks drifted
in, and they called for some singing, and all joined in half a dozen
songs that were familiar to them. Then the young folks ran off for their
coats and caps and wraps, and bid their host and hostess and each other
good-night.

"Wasn't it splendid?" said Nan, on the way home. "I never had such a
good time before."

"Didn't last half long enough," said Freddie. "Want it to last longer
next time."

"I wanted my cow to last longer," said Flossie. "Oh, if only I could
have kept it from melting!"

CHAPTER XVI

A GRAND SLEIGH RIDE

For a long while all of the Bobbsey children had been begging their
parents for a sleigh ride into the country.

"The winter will be gone soon, papa," said Nan. "Won't you take us
before the snow is all gone?"

"You may as well take them, Richard," said Mrs. Bobbsey.

"Well, if I do, Mary, you must go along," answered Mr. Bobbsey, and so
it was arranged that they should take the ride on the following
Saturday, weather permitting.

You may well suppose that al