"Oh, smooth; they ain't so easy for beginners, but when a fellow gits
the knack of 'em they're a great deal better."

Very different from the remarks of these _laudatores temporis acti_,
were those of the rising generation.

"How beautiful!" exclaimed Anne. "What wonderful skill! Can anything
be more graceful?"

"It is, indeed, graceful," said Faith; "and it must require
considerable boldness as well as skill to venture on some of those
evolutions. The least mistake would cause a violent fall."

"Dear Faith, why did you mention it?" said Anne. "I was not thinking
of the possibility of falls."

"Have no fear," said Pownal; "he is too completely master of the
science to hurt himself."

"In Holland the ladies are said to skate as well as the gentlemen,"
said Bernard.

"That is a poor compliment, William," said Anne. "If I cannot skate
better without practice, than half of this awkward squad, I will never
bind skates on my feet a second time."

"I know of nothing you cannot do," said her brother.

"Come here, Andrew," cried Pownal, to a boy standing opposite in the
circle, and holding a pair of skates in his hand. "Come here and lend