five children rang out a merry tune as they clicked over the frozen
surface of the lake.

"Hurrah! Here we are!" cried Bert at last, as he skated on ahead and sat
down on a bench in front of the "Chocolate Cabin," as they called the
place. He began taking off his skates.

"Come on!" he called to the others. "I'll order the chocolate for you and
have it cooling," for there was more trouble with Flossie's skate and Nan
had stopped to help her fix it.

"Don't order chocolate for me, Bert!" called Nan. "I want malted milk. The
chocolate is too sweet."

"Guess you're afraid of your complexion, Sis!" laughed Bert, as he went
inside the little wooden house.

"Oh, Flossie, take both your skates off and walk the rest of the way,"
advised Nan, after she had tried, without much success, to fix the
troublesome strap. "We'll get there sooner."

"All right," agreed Flossie. "It's a bother--this skate. I'm going to get
a new pair."

"Maybe a new strap is all you need," said Tommy. "You can get one in
there," and he nodded toward the little cabin.

A little later the five children were seated on stools in front of the
counter, sipping the warm drinks which made their cheeks glow with
brighter color and caused a deeper sparkle in their eyes.