When all were fairly started the scene became very animated and pretty. The two married couples skated well, but Harold, and especially Herbert, far exceeded them, the swift, easy movement with which they glided over the glassy surface of the lake, the exact balancing of their bodies, and the graceful curves they executed called forth many an admiring and delighted exclamation from the onlookers, both near at hand and farther away at the windows of the mansion.
Among the latter were Grandma Elsie, her father and his wife—Grandma
Rose—and Cousin Ronald.
"Bravo!" cried the two old gentlemen simultaneously, as Herbert performed a feat in which he seemed to fairly outdo himself. Mr. Lilburn adding, "I feel the old ardor for the sport stir within me at sight o' the lad's adroit movements. At his age I might have ventured to compete with as expert a skater as he. What say you, Cousin Horace, to a match atween the two auld chaps o' us down there the noo?"
"Agreed," Mr. Dinsmore said with a laugh. "There are skates that will answer our purpose I think, and we will set off at once if you like."
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.