However, everybody made an attempt, and at a given signal the young people started from their opposite ends of the room and endeavoured to make progress toward the goal as they blindly stumbled along.

Patty concluded to move very slowly, thinking this the surest way to make a successful trip.  So she scuffled along among the other laughing girls, now and then stumbling over a hillock, which was really a hassock or a sofa cushion under the white floor covering.  It was great fun, and the girls cheered each other on as they pursued their blinded way.  And then about midway of the room they met the boys coming toward them.  Then there was scrambling, indeed, as the explorers tried to get out of each other’s way and follow their own routes.

It was a very long room, and Patty hadn’t gone much more than halfway, when she concluded to give up the race as being too tiresome.  She made her way to the side of the room, and reaching the wall she took off her blinding handkerchief and kicked off the snowshoes.  To her great surprise she found that many of the other girls and some of the boys had done the same thing, and not half of the original contestants were still in the race.  And, indeed, it proved to be much greater fun to watch those who were still blindly groping along, than to stay in the game.

At last the game was concluded, as Roger Farrington proudly planted his flag at the very spot that designated the North Pole, and not long after, Clementine Morse succeeded in safely reaching the South Pole.  So the beautiful rugs were given to these two as prizes, and every one agreed that they had earned them.

Then, amid much laughter, everybody was unblindfolded. and they all sat around on the snow mounds waiting for the next game.

A big snow man was brought in and set in the centre of the room.  Of course it was not real snow, but made of white plaster, gleaming all over with diamond dust.  But it was the traditional type of snow man, with a top hat on, and grotesque features.

In the mouth of the figure was a cigarette, and each guest was presented with a few snowballs, made of cotton wool.  The game was to knock the cigarette from the snow man’s mouth with one of the snowballs.

Of course the cigarette was so arranged that the lightest touch of a ball would dislodge it, and as one cigarette was displaced, Mr. Homer supplied another.

The guests had been divided into two parties, and each side strove to collect the greater number of cigarettes.

Some balls flew very wide of the mark, while others with unerring aim would hit a cigarette squarely.

The game caused great hilarity, and everybody was anxious to throw balls.  They threw in turn, each having three balls at a time.

Patty was especially deft at this, and with true aim succeeded several times.

Then when they tired of this play, a few more dances followed before it was time to go home.