"High! high! for the first cold day. It makes me feel good," said Long Nose Bill on the tenth of December.

"What shall we do to-day?" asked Fluffie.

"Suppose we get the sleds and go to the hill!"

"What for?"

"To slide, of course, Fluff."

"Are we all going?"

"That is just what I want to find out."

Long Nose Bill got up and made this speech:

"Ladies and Gentlemen of Fowl Farm: Please, your attention for a second.

"We ought not to let such a fine snowstorm go by without going over to the hill. The sleds are all in order, and I move we lose no time in going over to the hill. We could spend an hour or so very pleasantly in sliding. All who are of my opinion will oblige me by saying 'I.'"

With this fine speech, as Fluffie called it, Bill sat down.

All the people said "I," so at once they started. What a good time they had! Once Speckle disappeared, but soon Red Nose Mike saw her head sticking up out of a snowbank.

After awhile they went home. The close of a short December afternoon was upon them before they reached the house.

"Mr. Mike," said Brownie, as they walked home together, "let's tell some stories to-night!"

"Very well; I am willing if the others are."

The others were not only willing but glad, so after supper they began.