They ate their breakfast in a great excitement; and as the Terror gathered together his books for his morning's work they made their plans.
He had strapped his books together; and as he caught up one of the two pairs of brightly polished skates that lay on the table, he said: "Then that's settled.

I'll meet you at Pringle's pond as soon after half past twelve as I can get there; but you'd better not go on it before I come." "Oh, it'll bear all right; it nearly bore yesterday," said Erebus impatiently.
"Well, Wiggins isn't to go on it before I come.

You'll do as you like of course--as usual--and if you fall in, it'll be your own lookout.
But he's to wait till I come.

If the ice does bear, it won't bear any too well; and I'm responsible for Wiggins.

I promised Mr.Carrington to look after him," said the Terror in tones of stern gravity.
Erebus tossed her head and said in a somewhat rebellious tone: "As if I couldn't take care of him just as well as you.