on, here, knows my opinion of tobogganing. The finest sport
there is and one that you unfortunate southerners cannot enjoy in your
native land. Up here we have everything delightful, ha, ha! But you'll
have to be equipped for the fun right away. Will you see to it, Miss
Muriel, that Dorothy has a toboggan rig provided? For Michael will
have the slides ready, you may be sure. He was born a deal further
north even than this and snow-and-ice is his native element. Why, the
honest old fellow can show several prizes he won, in his younger days,
for skating, ice-boating, tobogganing, and the like. I always feel
safe when Michael is on hand at the slide to look after his 'young
leddies.'

"Now, I must go. I have a service in town, to-night, and if I don't
hurry I'll be caught in this blizzard. You run along, 'Betty' and
spread the news of the grand times coming."

With a gentle pat of the little hand he held he thus dismissed her,
and inspired by his talk of the--to her--novel sport, she ran happily
away, forgetful already of anything more serious.

"Oh! girls! the Bishop says we'll soon have tobogganing!" she cried,
joining a group gathered about a great wood fire in the library.

"Oh! goody! I was looking at my new suit this very morning. Mother's
had such a pretty one made for me, a blanket suit of baby blue with
everything to match--mittens and cap and all! I'm just wild to wear
it!" answered Fanny Dimock, running to the window to peer out.

"To-morrow's half-holiday. Let's all go help Michael to get the slides
ready!"

"Of course--if the storm will let us out! Oh glorious!" said Ernesta
Smith flying to Fanny's side, and trying to see through the great
flakes, fast packing against the pane and hiding the view without.

But this only increased the gayety within. Electric lights flashed
out, girl after girl ran to fetch her own coasting suit and to spread
it before the eyes of her mates.

"Oh! aren't they the sweetest things!" exclaimed the delighted
Dorothy; "the very prettiest clothes I ever saw!"

Indeed they did make a fine show of color, heaped here and there,
their soft, thick texture assuring perfect protection from cold. Reds
and greens, pinks and blues, and snowy white; some fresh from the
makers' hands, some showing the hard wear of former winters; yet
all made after the Oak Knowe pattern. A roomy pair of pantaloons,
to draw over the ordinary clothing from the waist down, ended in
stocking-shaped feet, f