t you started, and then
this winter, when we go home, Grandma and I will be able to think of
you having fine times on the ice."

Wilkins Park was several blocks from the Horton's house, but Sunny Boy
and his grandfather liked to walk, and though it was a cold day they
tucked their hands in their coat pockets and walked fast and were very
comfortable. The best skating pond in Centronia--indeed about the only
good pond--was in the center of the Park, and long before Sunny Boy and
his grandfather came in sight of the Park they saw boys and girls with
skates over their arms, hurrying to the pond.

"Hurry, Grandpa!" urged Sunny Boy. "Hurry! Maybe there won't be room
for me!"

Grandpa Horton laughed and said he thought there would be room for one
small boy on the pond even if half the town did want to go skating that
afternoon.

"I suppose it is because there is no school," he said, as they turned
in at the Park gates. "I declare, Sunny Boy, if I had thought of it, I
don't know that I would have brought you today!"

For the ice-pond--and by this time they were in sight of it--was
crowded with skaters. Skating in holiday week was too delightful to be
neglected, and it seemed as though all the school children in the city
were skating or learning to skate. There were big boys and little boys
and tall girls and short girls and good skaters and poor ones. Now and
then a long line of skaters, hands joined, swept down the pond,
shouting.

Sunny Boy beamed. He was very glad that he had come and he wanted to
sit down on the grass and put on his skates at once.

"I think we'll walk around to the other end of the pond, dear," said
Grandpa Horton. "There are not so many people there, and I'll be able
to walk out on the ice a little way with you till you learn to keep
your balance. Don't put on your skates till we get to that white post."

Sunny Boy took his grandfather's hand and they tramped around the pond
till they reached a place where there were fewer skaters. A tall
policeman was telling a pretty girl that she could not leave her
sweater on the bank.

"It wouldn't be there when you got back, Miss," he said. "The only
wise thing to do is to carry all extras with you--that is if you want
'em."

The pretty girl skated off, carrying her sweater, and the policeman
turned and saw Sunny Boy struggling to put on his skates.

"Well, I guess I know you!" said the policeman, smiling. "You go to
Miss May's school, d