Alfred’s father looked pleased to hear that he got his lessons quickly. He said, “I think if Alfred continues to study well he must have a sled of his own.”
“O, father! do please get me one, and have it painted green, with a black stripe around it.”
CHAPTER IV
THE SLED AND THE SKATES.
When the north winds blow, on my sled I go,
With a bounding heart, o’er the glitt’ring snow;
Or swift on the clear, cold ice I glide,
With my watchful father close by my side.
O, how very much pleased was Alfred to find the sled he had asked for standing by his bed one morning when he awoke! As soon as he had washed and dressed himself, and said his prayers, he ran to thank his dear father for his nice present. Alfred’s mamma had bought him a woolen cap, which she wadded and lined, and he had a warm plaid cloak; so he was quite ready for his first ride.
The snow was frozen very hard, so that the upper crust bore the sled; and merrily, merrily indeed did the little boy slide swiftly down the terrace, and even to the very bottom of the lawn. He did not mind pulling the sled up the hill for the pleasure of riding down.