eakfast
and said no more.

"Are you a skater, my dear?" asked the captain, addressing his wife.

"I used to be a tolerably expert one and moderately fond of the
exercise," she replied.

"I should like the pleasure of taking you out this morning, for a trial
of your skill," he said. "Shall I send for skates for you?"

"Thank you, no; I think I have a pair somewhere about the house, and
perhaps can find another for you."

"There are several pairs of gentlemen's skates," said her mother. "I
will have them brought out for the captain to try."

He thanked her, adding that in case a pair should be found to fit, he
could have the pleasure of taking his wife out without waiting for the
return of the servant despatched to the village.

Upon leaving the breakfast table they all repaired to the parlor for
family worship, as was their custom morning and evening. Then those who
had skates, and some who wanted the walk and a near view of the skating,
Lulu among them, got themselves ready and went to the lakelet, while the
others waited for the return of the messengers; most of them meanwhile
gathered about the windows overlooking the lakelet, to watch the
movements of the skaters--Edward, Zoe, Harold, Herbert, Rosie, Evelyn
and Max; presently joined by Capt. Raymond and Violet, a pair of skates
having been found to fit each of them.

When all were fairly started the scene became very animated and pretty.
The two married couples skated well, but Harold, and especially Herbert,
far exceeded them, the swift, easy movement with which they glided over
the glassy surface of the lake, the exact balancing of their bodies, and
the graceful curves they executed called forth many an admiring and
delighted exclamation from the onlookers, both near at hand and farther
away at the windows of the mansion.

Among the latter were Grandma Elsie, her father and his wife--Grandma
Rose--and Cousin Ronald.

"Bravo!" cried the two old gentlemen simultaneously, as Herbert
performed a feat in which he seemed to fairly outdo himself. Mr.
Lilburn adding, "I feel the old ardor for the sport stir within me at
sight o' the lad's adroit movements. At his age I might have ventured to
compete with as expert a skater as he. What say you, Cousin Horace, to a
match atween the two auld chaps o' us down there the noo?"

"Agreed," Mr. Dinsmore said with a laugh. "There are skates that will
answer our purpose I think, and we will set off at once if you like."