“Certainly not,” said Patty, with great dignity. “I’m too grown-up for such foolishness as that!”
“Oh, I don’t know,” said Ferris.
The appearance of the two runaways in the breakfast-room was greeted with shouts of surprise.
Adèle knew they had gone skating, but no one else did, and it was supposed they hadn’t yet come downstairs.
Patty’s glowing cheeks were almost as scarlet as her coat and cap, while Ferris was grinning with boyish enthusiasm.
“Top o’ the morning to you all,” he cried. “Me and Miss Fairfield, we’ve been skating for an hour.”
“On the lake?” cried Daisy, in surprise. “Why, you must have started before sunrise.”
“Oh, no, not that,” declared Patty, as, throwing off her wraps, she took a seat next to Adèle; “but long enough to get up a ravenous appetite. I hope the Kenerley larder is well stocked.”
“Why didn’t you let us all in on this game?” asked the host. “I think a morning skating party would be just about right.”