news.

"They've swept off Blake's pond!" he gasped. "Everybody's going
skating. The ice is great, Mother. Just like glass."

"Where are our skates? Can we go?" chimed in Meg. "It isn't a bit
cold, Mother."

"Just cold enough to skate, I suppose," smiled Mother Blossom. "Well,
of course you can't miss the first skating of the season. But I don't
believe they want such little folks on the pond, dear. Some of the big
boys will be likely to skate right over you."

"We'll keep near the edge," promised Bobby. "Come on, Meg. Where are
our skates?"

Meg and Bobby had double runner skates, which are very good to learn
on, and they had used them only once or twice because the winter before
there had been practically no skating. Mother Blossom said the skates
were in a dark green flannel bag, hanging in the hall closet, and the
children tumbled downstairs to find them. You would have thought that
they were afraid the ice would melt, if they didn't hurry.

Presently Mother Blossom and Aunt Polly heard sounds of argument.

"You can't go," cried Bobby. "You're too little."

"You haven't any skates," said Meg crossly.

"Mind your own business," shouted Twaddles, apparently making a rush at