I prefer to walk along like an ordinary human being." "That is exactly what you are," was Hippy's calm retort from the snowdrift, "'an ordinary human being.'" Floundering out of the drift he shook himself free of snow and, undaunted by his fall, went on skipping and pirouetting toward the cabin, while his companions shrieked mirthful comments into his apparently unhearing ears.
How fast the afternoon and evening slipped away! The girls insisted on helping Jean with the dinner, and at half-past five the whole party sat down at the rude table that had been improvised by the boys the day before.

Eating in the heart of the forest made things taste infinitely better than at home.

Never before had there been such coffee, or steak, or baked potatoes! There was dessert, too--Mrs.Nesbit's famous fruit cake and Mrs.Harlowe's equally prized mince pie, besides fruit and nuts, Jean adding the latter to the feast.

Then everyone's health was drunk in grape juice, and it was almost seven o'clock before Jean and his guests rose from the table.
"Ten minutes to seven," declared David, consulting his watch.

"We must leave here at eight o'clock.