I had a most enjoyable afternoon." Rose smiled again as over some private reminiscence.

"He told me he thought you were coming on, in fact he seems to think that you have the makings of quite a good skater.

It's a pity your opportunities are so limited, dear." Rose paused to utter a soft laugh.
"I don't see anything funny in that," remarked Dinah.
"No, no! Of course not.

I was only smiling at the way in which he referred to you.

'That little brown cousin of yours' he said, 'makes me think of a water-vole, there one minute and gone the next.' He seemed to think you a rather amusing child, as of course you are." Rose put up a delicate hand and playfully caressed the glowing cheek nearest to her.