"Hurrah!" cried Nan and Bert, grasping each other by the hands and
swinging around in a sort of waltz.

"Can we take our sleds," asked Flossie.

"I'm going to take my skates--maybe I'll skate all the way there--I
could--on the lake!" exclaimed Freddie, and he wondered why the others
laughed.

"Well, we'll make our plans later," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "Now, children,
we'll have an early supper and then you must all get to bed. Christmas
will come so much earlier if you go to sleep now."

"Oh, jolly Christmas!" cried Nan. "I can hardly wait!"




CHAPTER X

UNWELCOME NEWS


"Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas to everybody!"

"Oh, Christmas is here! I wonder what I got?"