And both were young

by Madeleine L'Engle

"Who's Denise?"

"Her daughter."

"What!" Flip yelled. "Her daughter!"

"Hush. Here she comes. Have some more bread and cheese, Flip," Paul said as Madame Perceval came in carrying a pair of skis.

"Here you are, Philippa," Madame Perceval held the skis up. "Let's try these for size."

Flip scrambled to her feet and Madame Perceval tried them against her. "How are they?" Flip asked eagerly.

"Perfect. Couldn't be better. Put on your things and we'll go out and try them."

As Flip snapped the skis onto her boots Madame Perceval said, "Now don't expect miracles, Philippa. The skis don't make as much difference as all that. Just go very slowly and do as I say."

Madame Perceval was right. Flip was not able, all of a sudden, to ski like an angel because of the new skis. But she no longer fell quite so frequently, or had such a desperate struggle to get to her feet again.

"Better, much better!" Madame Perceval cried as Flip slid down a tiny incline and stopped without falling. "Now turn around."