"
"But you, sitting so snugly between us, would not freeze," said
Lottie. "If we were obstinate we should have to assume our
pleasantest expressions, and then you could eventually take us
home as bits of sculpture. In fact, I'm getting cold already."
"Are you also, Miss Carrie?"
"Oh, I'll thaw out before summer. Don't mind me."
"Well, then, mind me," resumed Lottie. "See how white and smooth
the river looks. Why can't we drive home on the ice? It will save
miles--I mean it looks so inviting."
"Oh, dear!" cried Carrie, "I feel like protesting now. The longest
way round may be both the shortest and safest way home."
"You ladies shall decide. This morning I drove over the route we
would take to-night, and I should not fear to take a ton of coal
over it."
"A comparison suggesting warmth and a grate-fire. I vote for the
river," said Lottie, promptly.
"Oh, well, Mr. Marstern, if you've been over the ice so recently--
I only wish to feel reasonably safe."
"I declare!" thought Marstern, "Lottie is the braver and more
brilliant girl; and the fact that she is not inclined to forego
the comfort of the home-fire for the pleasure of my company,
reveals the difficulty of, and therefore incentive to, the suit I
may decide to enter upon before New Year's.
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