shoulders. "We are only going to cut across Bassett's field--it won't
take ten minutes. And it will save us half an hour in getting to the
mill. We can't go along shore, for the ice is open there at the creek."

"All right," agreed Ruth Fielding, doubtfully. She was younger than
the twins and did not mean to be a wet blanket on their fun at any
time; but admiring Helen so much, she often gave up her own
inclinations, or was won by the elder girl from a course which she
thought wise. There had been times during their first term at
Briarwood Hall, now just completed, when Ruth had been obliged to
take a different course from her chum. This occasion, however, seemed
of little moment. Hiram Bassett owned a huge red herd-leader that was
the terror of the countryside; but it was a fact, as Helen said, that
the cattle were not likely to be roaming the pasture at this time of
year.

"Come on!" said Tom, again. "The car was to go down to the Cheslow
station for father and stop at the mill for us on its return. We
don't want to keep him waiting."

"And we've got so much to do to-night, Ruthie!" cried Helen. "Have
you got your things packed?"

"Aunt Alvirah said she would look my clothes over," said Ruth, in
reply. "I don't really see as I've much to take, Helen. We only want
warm things up there in the woods."

"And plenty of 'em," advised Tom. "Bring your skates. We may get a
chance to use them if the snow isn't too heavy. But up there in the
backwoods the snow hasn't melted, you can bet, since the first fall