"We'll tie these on Nicknack's hoofs and see if he can stand up on the ice," said Teddy. "I wish it was to-morrow now, so we could do it."
Ted and Jan hurried home from school the next day to hitch Nicknack to Ted's sled and drive him down to the ice to try the goat's new rubbers. They were tied on his hoofs with pieces of string, Mrs. Martin helping the children do this. Nicknack was a gentle and patient goat, but he acted rather strangely when the rubber squares were tied over his hoofs.
He stamped his feet, shook his head and bleated. He did not quite understand what was going on, but he made no special trouble and started off well when he had been hitched to the sled.
"Me want a wide!" called Trouble from the veranda, as Ted and Jan went gliding away over the snow.
"Next time!" answered Ted.
"This sled isn't big enough," added Janet. "We ought to get a bigger sled, Teddy," she went on. "One as big as our goat wagon, and then we could have fine rides and take Trouble with us."
"We'll ask daddy to get us one," said her brother.
When they reached the pond the only skaters on it were Tom and Lola Taylor. Tom laughed as he saw Nicknack.
"Ho!" he cried, "your goat will fall down on the ice again."
"Maybe he won't," answered Teddy. "Just you watch!"