"But, my dear Miss Boyes, it's impossible. After two or three days' more frost, perhaps, but at present the ice won't bear."
Now there was just that something about his tone which nettled me. It was the way he had of taking it for granted that, because he said a thing, the matter was necessarily at an end, since it was impossible to imagine that anyone would venture on remonstrance.
"I daresay it will be strong enough to bear me."
"I very much doubt it."
"Do you? Do you skate?"
"A little."
"Then, since that sister and those brothers of mine have gone off, they alone know where, may I venture to suggest that you should come with me?"
"I shall be delighted--as far as the ice. I'm sure you'll find that it won't bear. And, anyhow, I've no skates."
"There are a pair of Dick's. They're not very rusty. And I don't suppose you'll find them very much too small."
He took them up--and smiled.