The boys, one after another, tried him by putting mocking questions or attempting to humbug him with some large story.

He received it all with patience and good nature until one remark seemed to sting him from his propriety.

He turned with great dignity upon the offender, and said, "Was that you that spoke, or was it a punkin busted ?" We all thought that it was well said, and took him into high favor.
I suppose the outdoor winter sports have not changed much since my childhood.

The sluggish Concord River used to overflow its banks and cover the broad meadows for miles, where we found excellent skating, and where the water would be only a foot or two in depth.

The boys could skate for ten miles to Billerica and ten miles back, hardly going over deep water, except at the bridges, the whole way.
Sleigh-riding was not then what it is now.