looked up at her curiously. She collected herself, returned his gaze
steadily, and said: "How did Miss Wilson send you word to come? She only
knew of our party at half-past nine last night."

"Miss Wilson did not send for me."

"But you have just told Miss Ward that she did."

"Yes. I find it necessary to tell almost as many lies now that I am a
simple laborer as I did when I was a gentleman. More, in fact."

"I shall know how much to believe of what you say in the future."

"The truth is this. I am perhaps the worst skater in the world, and
therefore, according to a natural law, I covet the faintest distinction
on the ice more than immortal fame for the things in which nature has
given me aptitude to excel. I envy that large friend of yours--Jane
is her name, I think--more than I envy Plato. I came down here this
morning, thinking that the skating world was all a-bed, to practice in
secret."

"I am glad we caught you at it," said Agatha maliciously, for he was
disappointing her. She wanted him to be heroic in his conversation; and
he would not.

"I suppose so," he replied. "I have observed that Woman's dearest
delight is to wound Man's self-conceit, though Man's dearest delight is
to gratify hers. There is at least one creature lower than Man. Now, off
with you. Shall I hold you until your ankles get firm?"