He joined her in a fine enthusiasm for the ice and talked of the certainty of its bearing with the most hopeful confidence.

She displayed an equal confidence; and they took their brisk way across the white meadows.
More than usual Wiggins spurned the earth and advanced by leaps and bounds.

His blue eyes were shining very brightly in the cold winter sunlight.
In ten minutes they came to Pringle's pond.

The wind had swept the ice fairly clear of snow; and it looked smooth and very tempting.

Also it looked quite thick and strong.