was exciting, you may be sure), and they were really very good friends.

"This is my Grandpa Horton," said Sunny Boy. "He and Grandma are
visiting us. They came before Christmas."

Grandpa Horton and the policeman shook hands and Grandpa asked him if
he thought the ice was safe.

"Oh, it's safe enough, sir," answered the policeman.

"Sunny Boy is so anxious to learn to skate," explained Grandpa Horton,
while Sunny Boy stood up, his new skates on his feet by this time,
"that I promised him his first lesson today."

"He'll be all right if he stays near the edge and you keep an eye on
him," said the policeman. "Sometimes the little fellows get knocked
down, if they go out in the center alone. If you tumble, Sunny Boy,
don't bump your nose, will you? You might sneeze."

Sunny Boy laughed, and, holding tight to Grandpa Horton's hand, he
slowly slid out on the ice.

"I feel--" he gasped, "I feel like a rocking horse!"

And indeed, if you have ever been on double runner skates yourself,
you'll remember that you do feel something as a rocking horse must feel.

Grandpa Horton was very patient and he walked slowly and held fast to
Sunny Boy so that he would not feel frightened. Boys and girls whizzed
by them, laughing and shouting, and Sunny Boy hoped that he would be