"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."