_The Egotistic Skater_ (_in charge of a small Niece_). Just see if you
can get along by yourself a little--I'll come back presently. Practise
striking out.

_The Niece_. But, Uncle, directly I strike out, I fall down!

_The E.S._ (_encouragingly_). You will at first, till you get into
it--gives you confidence. Keep on at it--don't stand about, or you'll
catch cold. I shall be keeping my eye on you!

[_Skates off to better ice._

_The Fancy Skater_ (_to less accomplished Friend_). This is a pretty
figure--sort of variation of the "Cross Cut," ending up with "The
Vine;" it's done this way (_illustrating_), quarter of circle
on outside edge forwards; then sudden stop--(_He sits down with
violence_.) Didn't quite come off that time!

_The Friend_. The sudden stop came off right enough, old fellow!

_The F.S._ I'll show you again--it's really a neat thing when it's
well done; you do it all on one leg, like this--

[_Executes an elaborate back-fall._

_His Friend_. You seem to do most of it on no legs at all, old chap!

_The F.S._ Haven't practised it lately, that's all. Now here's a
figure I invented myself. "The Swooping Hawk" I call it.