me your skates. Here, Miss Bernard," said he, presenting them to her,
"here is a fine pair. Allow me to buckle them on. And then like a
winged Mercury to fly."

"Please to compare me to no heathen gods, Mr. Pownal, or you may make
these old Puritans burn me for a witch. Let me see if they fit. No,
they are too large, I could never do myself justice on them. Here, my
little fellow is a ninepence for you; away with you."

The boy took the little piece of silver with a grin, tied the rejected
skates upon his feet, and was soon lost among his companions.

"I say," said an urchin, who was looking on with admiring eyes, "I
say, Bill, that beats all natur. Did you ever see such shindys?"

"They ain't so bad," returned Bill; "but I guess I can do some of 'em
myself."

"Which ones?" inquired the other.

"Why," answered Bill, "when he throws himself right about face, and
then goes sculling backwards."

"I'll bet you can't do it the first time."

"What will you bet?" cried Bill.

"I don't care; say a stick o' candy."

"Agreed!" cried Bill. "You see I've done it afore."