at
she thought of the weather, if the white frost would bring rain, &c.,
&c.

Jessie thought the morning too bright not to be doubtful, and the hoar
frost was so very thick and white that it was not likely to continue
much longer.

"How beautiful these delicate white crests are to every thorn in the
hedge!" said Henrietta; "and look, these pieces of chalk are almost
cased in glass."

"O I do love such a sight!" said Jessie. "Here is a beautiful bit of
stick crusted over."

"It is a perfect little Giant's Causeway," said Henrietta; "do look at
these lovely little columns, Fred."

"Ah!" said Jessie, "Myriads of little salts, or hook'd or shaped like
double wedges.--"

She thought Beatrice safe out of hearing, but that very moment by she
came, borne swiftly along, and catching the cadence of that one line,
looked archly at Fred, and shaped with her lips rather than uttered--"O
Jemmy Thomson! Jemmy Thomson, O!"

It filled up the measure. That Beatrice, Alexander and Chorus should be
making him a laughing-stock, and him pinned to Miss Carey's side, was
more than he could endure. He had made up his mind that Uncle Geoffrey
was not coming at all, his last feeble hold of patience and obedience
gave way, and he exclaimed, "Well, I shan't wait any longer, it is not
of the least use."

"O, Fred, consider!" said his sister.

"That's right, Freddy," shouted Carey, "he'll not come now, I'll answer
for it."

"You know he promised he would," pleaded Henrietta.

"Uncle Roger has got hold of him, and he is as bad as the old man of the
sea," said Fred, "the post has been gone this half-hour, and I shall not
wait any longer."

"Think of mamma."

"How can you talk such nonsense, Henrietta?" exclaimed Fred impatiently,
"do you think that I am so awfully heavy that the ice that bears them
must needs break with me?"

"I do not suppose there is any danger," said Henrietta, "but for the
sake of poor mamma's entreaties!"

"Do you think I am going to be kept in leading-strings all the rest of
my life?" said Fred, obliged to work himself into a passion in order to
silence his sister and his conscience. "I have submitted to such absurd
nonsense a great deal too long already, I will not be made a fool of in
the sight of everybody; so here goes!"

And breaking away from her detaining arm, he ran down to the verge of
the pond, and claimed the skates which he had lent to John. Henrietta
turned away her eyes full of tears.

"Nev