Roger laughed at her foolishness, and then Elise came along and they all went out to the car.
Elise’s suit was of crimson cloth, bordered with dark fur, and as a consequence the two girls together made a pretty picture.
“You’re such a comfort, Patty,” Elise said, as they climbed into the big car. “You always dress just right to harmonise with my clothes.”
“Sure you do!” said Roger, looking at the two girls admiringly. “No fellow on the ice will escort such beautiful ladies as I have in my charge. Now, we’ll pick up Ken and the Morses, and then make a dash for the Pole.”
They reached the Park by three o’clock, so had nearly two hours of skating before the dusk fell.
Patty was a superior skater, and so were most of the others, for Roger had chosen his party with care.
“Skate with me, Patty, will you?” said Roger, just at the same moment that Kenneth said, “Of course you’ll skate with me, Patty.”
Patty looked at both boys with a comical smile. “Thank you,” she said; “but I always like to pick out my own escort.” Then, turning to Clifford Morse, she said:
“Skate with me, won’t you, Cliff? We’re a good team.”
“We are that!” he replied, greatly pleased, if a little surprised at Patty’s invitation.