well be believed, the boys received the heartiest of welcomes.
After they had conversed awhile with their lively hostess, one of the
genii summoned them to a grand repast in a red-curtained room, where
floor and ceiling shone like polished ivory, and the mirrors suddenly
blossomed into rosy-cheeked boys as far as the eye could reach.

They had caviar now, and salmagundi, and sausage and cheese, besides
salad and fruit and biscuit and cake. How the boys could partake of such
a medley was a mystery to Ben, for the salad was sour, and the cake was
sweet; the fruit was dainty, and the salmagundi heavy with onions and
fish. But, while he was wondering, he made a hearty meal, and was
soon absorbed in deciding which he really preferred, the coffee or the
anisette cordial. It was delightful too--this taking one's food from
dishes of frosted silver and liqueur glasses from which Titania herself
might have sipped. The young gentleman afterward wrote to his mother
that, pretty and choice as things were at home, he had never known what
cut glass, china, and silver services were until he visited The Hague.

Of course, Peter's sister soon heard all of the boys' adventures. How
they had skated over forty miles and seen rare sights on the way; how
they had lost their purse and found it again. How one of the party had
fallen and given them an excuse for a grand sail in an ice boat; how,
above all, they had caught a robber and so, for a second time, saved
their slippery purse.

"And now, Peter," said the lady when the story was finished, "you must
write at once to tell the good people of Broek that your adventures have
reached their height, that you and your fellow travelers have all been
taken prisoners."

The boys looked startled.

"Indeed, I shall do no such thing," laughed Peter. "We must leave
tomorrow at noon."

But the sister had already decided differently, and a Holland lady is
not to be easily turned from her purpose. In short, she held forth
such strong temptations and was so bright and cheerful and said so many
coaxing and unanswerable things, both in English and Dutch, that the
boys were all delighted when it was settled that they should remain at
The Hague for at least two days.

Next the grand skating race was talked over; Mevrouw van Gend gladly
promised to be present on the occasion. "I shall witness your triumph,
Peter," she said, "for you are the fastest skater I ever knew."

Peter blushed and gave a slight c