It was a fine sleigh ride, and the jingling bells made a merry accompaniment to the children's chatter and laughter.
"Ice cream, Kitty?" asked her father as they entered a small town, and drew up before the funny little inn that was its principal hostelry--
"No, sir!" said Kitty, whose teeth were chattering, "it's too cold!"
"Well, I never expected to live long enough to hear Kitty say no to ice cream!" exclaimed Mrs. Maynard in surprise.
"It's a cold day when that happens, isn't it Kit?" asked her father. "Well, jump out then, and stamp your toes, and thaw your ears."
They all went into the little inn, and warmed themselves by the fire, and had a drink of hot milk or hot soup, as they preferred, and then bundled back into the sleigh for the homeward ride.
"I'm not cold now," said Kitty, cuddling into the fur robes.
The horses dashed back again over the snow, and soon after three o'clock they were at home.
The party was at four, so there was ample time to get ready.
"What kind of a party is it to be father?" asked Midge. "Any special kind?"
"Special kind?" said Mr. Maynard; "I should say so! It's an animal party, to be sure!"
"An animal party?" said Gladys, to Midge, as they went upstairs to dress; "what does he mean?"
"I don't know. You never can tell what Father's going to do. Especially on an Ourday. He always gets up lovely things for Ourdays."
"He's a jolly man," said Gladys; "I never saw anybody like him."
"Nor I either," agreed Midge; "I think he's just perfect."
The little girls all wore white dresses, each with a different colored ribbon, and were all ready, and sitting in state, at ten minutes before the hour appointed for the party.
"Isn't Delight coming, Mopsy?" asked Mrs. Maynard.
"No, mother; I just telephoned her, and she won't come. She's acting up foolish about Glad, you know."
"Indeed it _is_ foolish," said Mrs. Maynard, looking annoyed; "I think I'll run over there and see what I can do."
"Oh, do, Mother; you always make everything come out all right."
"But I don't know whether I can make a silly little girl come out all right; however, I'll try."
Mrs. Maynard threw on some wraps and went over to the house across the street.
What arguments she used, or what she said to Delight, Marjorie never knew, but she returned, after a time, bringing both Delight and Miss Hart with her.