They laughed at Heavy's ecstasies, yet all did full justice to the
pudding. Such a hearty appetite as everybody had! The snapping cold
and the odor of balsam and pine gave a tang to the taste that none of
them had ever known before. The girls were full of plans for quiet
hours around the great open fires, as well as for the out-of-door
fun; but Tom was leader on this first day of the vacation at Snow
Camp, and he declared for skating in the afternoon.

Even Mrs. Murchiston went down to the pond.

The boys took turns in pushing her about in an ice-chair. But Mr.
Cameron put on skates and proved himself master of them, too. Long
Jerry came down to watch them and grinned broadly at the boys' antics
on the ice. Jerry was no skater; but he was stringing snowshoes and
by the morning would have enough ready for the whole party and
promised to teach the young folk the art of walking on them in half a
day.

That afternoon on the ice only put an edge on the appetite of the
whole party for the frost games. "Plenty of time to make those
pine-needle pillows for the girls at Briarwood, if we have a stormy day,"
quoth Helen Cameron. "We mustn't mope before the fire this evening.
The moon is coming up--big as a bushel and red as fire! Oh, we'll
have some fun this night."

"What now?" demanded Madge Steele. "I see the boys have stolen out
after supper. A sleigh ride?"

"No; although that would be fun," said Helen.