all, and the gist of the whole is, that if
we persistently look at the beautiful side of everything, we are making
our own fairyland, and seeing what is denied to those who dwell only on
the prosaic and ordinary. It's a great quality to have, and one that
brings a supreme enjoyment in life. If you're wise you'll cultivate it
while you are young, and then you need never really grow old, because,
although your hair may turn grey, you'll still keep the very principle
of youth in your heart. Very few people can realize their ideals, so it
is something to be able to idealize our real."

The place that Miss Drummond had chosen as the destination of their walk
was a steep slope about a mile from the school. Here it was quite
possible to make a good toboggan track, for there was a flat space in
front and an easy way to climb up at the back. Half a dozen tea-trays
had been requisitioned from the kitchen, to act as sleds.

"I wish we had a bob-sleigh!" said Ursula Bramley, who, after her
experience in Switzerland, felt herself an authority on winter sports.
"It's the hugest fun you can imagine, only you need two very good people
to steer and act brake. Ours at Les Avants held a crew of six. My eldest
brother used to take us down, and he only upset us once."

"I think little sleighs are better; they're not nearly so dangerous,"
said Agnes Maxwell. "A cousin of mine was fearfully hurt last winter at
Samaden, in a bob-sleigh race; he fell on his head, and had concussion
of the brain."

"Well, of course, you have to chance that. It needs pluck and skill if
you're going in for racing; you mustn't be afraid for yourself--you
could fall off a tea-tray, as far as that goes," said Phoebe.

"You couldn't do yourself much damage if you did," laughed Ursula; "the
snow's not hard enough. Now, we shall have to go down the slope a good
many times before we make a decent track of it."

"I wish we had more tea-trays! We shan't get very many turns each, I'm
afraid," said Myfanwy.

Six girls from the Sixth Form had been chosen to start, and made a trial
trip amid much cheering and excitement.

"It's perfectly lovely--just like flying!" they declared, as the
improvised sleds drew up on the level ground at the bottom.

"Miss Drummond, won't you try?"

"Perhaps I may, when the thing is well started, but for the present I
would rather stand and watch. It certainly looks very tempting, and
worth an effort. Mademoiselle, shall you venture?"