CHAPTER XVIII
A WINTER PICNIC
"Aunt Rose," exclaimed Tom Gray, several mornings after the Christmas dance, "I have a scheme; but, before I ask your permission to carry it out, I want you to grant it."
"Why do you ask it at all, then, Tom, dear?" answered his aunt.
"Because we want your seal and sanction upon the undertaking," replied Tom, giving the old lady an affectionate squeeze. "Is it granted, little Lady Gray?" he asked.
"I am merely groping about in the dark, my boy, but I trust to your good sense not to ask me anything too outrageous. Tell me what it is quickly, so that I may know exactly how deeply I am implicated."
"Well," said Tom, "here's the scheme in a nutshell. I want to give a picnic."
Mrs. Gray groaned.
"A picnic, boy? Whoever heard of a picnic in mid-winter. What mad notion is this?"