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“Doesn’t your father like hockey, Tod? I’ve never seen him at our games.”
    “He has to work Saturday mornings,” explained Tod.
    “Oh, that’s right. He’s a fireman, isn’t he?”
    Tod nodded. “Yes.”
    Mr. Jones looked aside at Tod as he stopped at a red signal. “I heard that thereare plans for a Father and Son Banquet to be held soon, Tod. It’s going to be at the Packer Hotel for all the hockey players
     and their dads. Think your dad would like to go to it?”
    Tod shrugged. “Probably.”
    “I think he would,” said Mr. Jones, moving the car forward again as the light turned green. “Don’t forget to ask him, anyway.
     I’m sure there are lots of other dads who would like to meet him:”
    Tod didn’t answer. Dad wouldn’t care about going to any Father and Son Banquet. He hardly knew any of the other dads and he
     wouldn’t especially care to make new acquaintances. No, he wouldn’t say a thing about it to Dad.
    “Hey, Dad,” said Biff. “I heard there’s going to be an Ice Show coming up, too. Have you heard anything about it?”
    “Yes, I heard about that, too. Matter of fact, Tom Welling, the fellow who directs our hockey program, told me a few days
     ago that plans have already been arranged.”
    “Great! Are they going to get someone like the Ice Follies?” asked Biff.
    “No. They’re going to get people from around town here. Seems that there are enough excellent skaters nearby who can put on
     a good show, too.”
    “I bet Ms. Hudson will be in it,” said Biff. “You’ve seen her skate, haven’t you, Tod? She’s terrific.”
    Tod nodded. “She’s the best I’ve seen around here,” he agreed.
    Thinking of her made him forget his sad thoughts, and he almost smiled. Ms. Hudson on skates. He certainly would never forget
     her as long as he lived.
    Tod knew there was exciting news the moment he entered the house. Mom’s face was lit up bright as a candle, and Jane’s round
     face looked even brighter. Her big blue eyes were like brilliant moons. She began clapping her hands and dancing on her toes
     as if whatever was making her happy just couldn’t keep.
    Tod closed the door behind him and looked from Mom’s face to Jane’s. “Did somebody win a million dollars?”
    Mom chuckled. “Not quite,” she said. “Tell him, Jane.”
    “I’m going to be in the Ice Show!” she cried. “Isn’t that wonderful?”
    Tod stared. “We were just talking about the Ice Show!” he said. “Mr. Jones said there’s going to be one. Who asked you?”
    “Ms. Hudson,” said Jane.
    “Ms. Hudson? She’s going to be in it, too?” Ms. Hudson seemed to be appearing in a lot of places lately.
    “Yes. And she called Marylou Farmer, too. We’re going to start practicing tomorrow afternoon at Manna Rink. Oh, I can’t wait!”
    Just then a car drove into the driveway. A few moments later Dad came in. He hardly had the door closed behind him before
     Jane rushed up to him and spilled the happy news.
    Dad’s lean face filled with pride. “When is the Ice Show?”
    “February twentieth,” replied Jane. “I’ll be a wreck by then!”
    Tod shook his head. You’d think Jane was in her teens the way she talked.
    Dad removed his coat, cap, and boots and started to put them away.
    “Well, guess I’ll have a chance, at least, to see my little girl skate,” he said. “Hardly have a chance to see Tod do his
     stuff on skates. How did you make out this morning, son?”
    “We lost,” said Tod. “Four to three. It’s just our first loss, though.”
    Dad ruffled his hair, smiled. “Don’t be afraid to lose,” he said. “Everyone loses sometime.”
    Tod remembered what Mr. Jones had said about the Father and Son Banquet. He looked at Dad. His lips parted. He almost mentioned
     the banquet to Dad, then changed his mind.
    No, Dad wouldn’t care about going. He didn’t care about meeting the other dads. Anyway, he had a lot of work to do around
     the house … fixing the floors,