"I don't think I shall ever like it, Cousin Judith. I think I shall go back and see what papa's doing."
Judith yielded. "Do as you like, Margaret," she said. "Perhaps you'll try again to-morrow?"
"Well, perhaps," Margaret conceded very doubtfully.
"The ice is splendid. Hurry up!" Arthur called.
But Judith did not hurry. After putting on her skates, she sat on a hurdle for some minutes, watching Arthur's evolutions with a thoughtful smile. He came to a stand opposite to her, after performing the most difficult figure in his repertory, his eyes and cheeks glowing and his breath coming fast. "How's that for high?" he asked proudly.
"Not bad for a beginner," she replied composedly. "Would you like really to learn to skate? Because, if you would, I'll give you a lesson."
"Well, I'm hanged! Come on, and let's see what you can do yourself!"
She got up and peeled off her jacket; before she put it down on the hurdle, she produced an orange from the pocket of it. Motioning Arthur to follow her, she glided gently to the middle of the ice and dropped the orange on to it. Having done this and given him a grave glance, she proceeded to execute what was to him at least an inconceivably and dazzlingly complicated figure. When it was at last achieved, it landed her by his side, and she asked "How's that for high?"
"You humbug! How dare you say nothing about it? Letting me make a fool of myself like that! How did you learn?"
"Oh, in Switzerland. I often went there in the winter—before Hilsey claimed me. Come and try."