"About ten."

"And where does he propose to take us?" inquired Zoe.

"I presume wherever the ladies of the party decide that they would like
to go."

"Surely, papa, the gentlemen also should have a voice in that," his
daughter said, sending him a bright, affectionate look from behind the
coffee-urn, "you at least, in case the question is put to vote."

"Not I more than the rest of you," he returned pleasantly. "But I have
no doubt we would all enjoy the ride in any direction where the
sleighing is good."

"I think it will prove fine on all the roads," remarked Edward, "and I
presume everybody, would enjoy driving over to Fairview, the Laurels and
the Oaks to call on our nearest relatives; perhaps to the Pines and
Roselands also, to see the cousins there."

"That would be nice," said Zoe, "but don't you suppose they may be
improving the sleighing opportunity as well as ourselves? may be driving
over here to call on us?"

"Then, when we meet, the question will be who shall turn round and go
back, and who keep on," laughed Rosie.

"But to avoid such an unpleasant state of affairs we have only to ask
and, answer a few questions through the telephone," said Edward.