"Would you?
then you shall; I will send for the skates and give you a lesson in the art myself.

I used to be reckoned a good skater in my boyhood.

Would my little Grace like to learn too ?" "No, thank you, papa, I'd rather walk on the ground, or ride." "You shall ride on the ice if you will, little girlie," said Harold.

"I think I can find a conveyance that will suit your taste." "You're kind to think of it, Uncle Harold," she said, with a dubious look, "but I'm afraid the horses would slip and fall on the ice." "I think not," he said; "but if they should they will only have to pick themselves up again, and go on." "But I'm afraid they might get hurt and maybe tip me over too." Harold only smiled at that, as he rose and left the room to attend to the despatching of the messengers.
Grace wondered what he meant, but as the older people all about her were busily talking among themselves, she went on quietly with her breakfast and said no more.
"Are you a skater, my dear ?" asked the captain, addressing his wife.
"I used to be a tolerably expert one and moderately fond of the exercise," she replied.
"I should like the pleasure of taking you out this morning, for a trial of your skill," he said.

"Shall I send for skates for you ?" "Thank you, no; I think I have a pair somewhere about the house, and perhaps can find another for you." "There are several pairs of gentlemen's skates," said her mother.