swallows, skimming over the ice. In a minute they were ever so
far away.

Kit and Kat felt lonesome, and very queer, when they saw their
father and mother flying along in that way. They weren't used to
see them do anything but work, and move about slowly.

"It looks easy," said Kit. "Let's try it. We must not be afraid."

He started with his right leg, pushing it out a little in front
of him. But it was very strange how his legs acted. They didn't
seem to belong to him at all! His left leg tried to follow his
right, just as it ought to; but, instead, it slid out sidewise
and knocked against Kat's skates. Then both Kat's feet flew up;
and she sat down very hard, on the ice. And Kit came down on top
of her.

They tried to get up; but, each time they tried, their feet slid
away from them.

"Oh dear," said Kat, "we are all mixed up! Are those your feet or
mine? I can't tell which is which!"

"They don't any of them mind," said Kit. "I can't stand up on any
of them. I've tried them all! We'll just have to wait until
Father and Mother come back and pick us out."

"Ice is quite cold to sit on, isn't it?" said Kat.

Soon Father and Mother Vedder came skimming back again. When they