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 said Polly. "I'm sure it comes in very handy when we come here skating. Remember that perfectly ferocious day just after Christmas, Laurie, when we were all nearly frozen and you made a fire in the—the fireplace—"

"Fireplace!" echoed Ned. "That's corking!"

"Well, the—the—why, I don't see why it isn't a fireplace, Smarty. It's the place you build the fire, isn't it?"

"Boiler," said Bob.

"Well, anyway, it just about saved my feet from freezing right off," declared Polly. "And we had a lot of fun on the boat, and I hope no one will do anything to it at all!"

"Guess you needn't worry," said Laurie. "Looks as if she'd stay right here and rot to pieces. Guess she's got a good start already."

Their homeward way led them through the woods and around the slope of Little Crow Hill, at first by an old wood-road and then by devious trails through the now leafless forest. That was the nearer way, but there was a longer, more arduous, and far more attractive route that took them to the summit of Little Crow and laid the world at their feet; for from above the face of the