At that moment Lulu came running in. "The skates have come, Grandma
Elsie," she said, "just as I have got back to the house. Papa sent me in
because it was too cold, he said, for me to be standing still out there.
He'll come for me when Mamma Vi is tired and wants to come in."

"Does she seem to be enjoying it?" asked the person addressed.

"Oh yes, ma'am, very much indeed! Aren't you going to try it too?"

"Yes, do, Elsie," said her father. "And you too, Rose," to his wife.
"Let us all try the sport while we have an opportunity."

The ladies were nothing loath, everybody seemed to catch the spirit of
the hour, the skates were quickly distributed, and all hurried away to
the lake, but Lulu and Grace who were to stay within doors, by their
father's orders, till he came, or sent for them.

Lulu having taken off her hood and coat, now sat before the fire
warming her feet. Grace was watching the skaters from an easy chair by
the window.

"It does look like good fun," she said. "Is it very cold out there, Lu?"

"Not so very; the wind doesn't blow; but when you've been standing still
a while your feet feel right cold. I hardly thought about it though, I
was so taken up with watching the skating, till papa called to me that
it was too cold for me to stand there, and I must come in."

"Papa's always taking care of his children," remarked Grace.