by the way the girls acted that there was "something in the wind."

The girls ignored Tom, Bob and Isadore as they chatted at the
breakfast table, and at once they went about their own small affairs,
leaving the boys by themselves.

Tom and his mates discussed some plan for a few minutes and then Tom
sang out: "Who'll go sliding? There's a big bob-sled in the barn and
we fixed it up yesterday morning. It will hold the whole crowd. How
long will it take you girls to get ready?"

Helen turned her back on him. Ruth looked doubtful, and flushed; but
Madge Steele exclaimed: "You can go sliding alone, little boy. We
certainly sha'n't accompany you."

"Aw, speak for yourself, Miss," growled her brother. Then Bob turned
deliberately to Helen and asked: "Will you go sliding, Helen?"

"No, sir!" snapped Helen.

"Aw, let 'em alone, Bob," said Isadore. "Who wants 'em, anyway?"

Jennie Stone would have replied, only Belle and Lluella shook her.
It took two girls to shake Heavy satisfactorily. And the entire six
ignored the three boys, who went off growling among themselves.

"Just for a little old mess of candy," snorted Isadore, who was the
last to leave the house.

"That's the way to treat them!" declared Madge, tossing her head,