"It certainly is mystifying," Harry had to admit when he was told, more in detail, what Dot had sketched to him over the telephone about the "mistletoe" experience of Sim and Arden. "Very strange. You say there was no more sign of other footprints than your own?"
"Could you gather why Viney Tucker was in the old smokehouse?"
"Only that it was a queer whim," said Arden, "and she is queer."
"Yes, such a character as hers would be whimmy." He lighted a cigarette. Dinner was almost over.
"Is this mistletoe?" asked Dot, bringing out a branch from those her chums had gathered. "You might know, being a bird man."
"I should think one would need to be a ladies' man to judge mistletoe," said Mr. Pangborn, with a laugh and a glance at each of the girls in turn. Terry was downstairs for the first time since her accident.
"Not bad! Not half bad!" laughed Arden. "But do you confirm Viney's denial? Is it or is it not--mistletoe?"
"No, it isn't mistletoe," he said after an examination. "But I suppose it will answer the same purpose. Where are you going to hang it? I should like to know in advance."
"_Wouldn't_ you like to know?" mocked Dorothy.
"I must take a piece with me and put it in Granny Howe's hair the night of the Christmas party," said Harry, handing back to Dot the plant she had given him. "I shall claim the privilege on the eve of the holiday."
"Like this?" Dot challenged with mischief in her eyes as she thrust the clump of white berries into her own blonde hair and then ran laughing from the room.
It was a merry little group. Mr. Pangborn said everything was in readiness to announce to Granny, with the sanction of the head of the State Park Commission, that at least she would have a new chance to prove her claim.
"And about the party," suggested Arden. "Just what are we going to do at it?"
"We shall need some refreshments, I suppose," said Sim. "I can get Moselle to arrange about that. We can pack them into my car and take them to the Hall. Only we'll be a bit crowded in the roadster."
"I'll bring my car," Harry said. "But, as there are quite a few things to do, wouldn't it be wise to take Dick and Betty into our confidence?"
"Yes. Dick and I can get in the wood and put the chairs and other furniture in place. I saw a table there for the food," said Harry.