"The ground will soon be frozen too hard for you to dig in it with
your paws, Roly-Poly," said Mamma Blake, when it was nearly dark, and
all the plants had been brought into the warm kitchen. "Come, now
children," she called. "Wash your hands, and supper will soon be
ready. Then Daddy will be here, and he will shake down the furnace
fire, and make it hot, for it is going to be a very cold night."

A little later, when supper was almost ready, a step was heard in the
front hall.

"Oh, here comes Daddy now!" cried Mab, making a rush for the door.

"Let's ask him what makes the cold," exclaimed Hal, "and why we get
warm inside when we run." Hal was very curious.

"Ah, here we are!" cried Mr. Blake, with a jolly laugh, as he came in
rubbing his ears. He caught Hal up in one arm, and Mab in the other.

"Oh, how cold your cheeks are, Daddy!" cried Mab as she kissed him.

"Yes, it is going to be a frosty night, and freeze," he said. "And if
it freezes enough I will tell you a secret I have been keeping for
some time."

"Oh Daddy! Another secret!" cried Mab. "Tell us what it is, please!"

"Wait until we see if it freezes hard enough to-night," replied her
papa.