"Nah! we're going to have a skate on the ice," shouted Paul, waving the men back to the forest.
The boys and Dot put on their skates while Lavinia and Babs sat beside the fire and watched them. Mike had gone on shore to find something.
After the boys were off, Mike returned dragging a long slender birch tree along the ice. He placed it near the raft and sat down on the edge of one of the logs, saying nothing about his errand.
For half an hour, enjoyment of skating made the forest depths echo with laughter from the children. Then they got tired and Paul made a suggestion.
"Let's go out to that log that sticks end up out of the ice, and starting from that, skate back to see who can win a race."
The idea appealed to the others, but Meredith ordered Dot to go back to the raft.
"I, wa-wa-nt to race too! I do-do-n't wa-a-nt to g-go back!" chattered Dot, with blue lips.
"You've got to! You're so cold now you can't talk straight!" exclaimed Meredith.
"Ah, go on, Dot! You're spoilin' my fun!" cried Don, turning to give Dot a little shove toward the raft.
"No, I won't," pouted Dot, dropping upon the ice in sheer contrariness.