"Are you still there? I thought you would have gone. I trust that you have not remained on my account. I didn't hurry. Even an old pair of gloves cannot be put on in half a second."
"So it would appear."
"As you are not going to skate, and I am, I won't keep you."
"You were good enough to ask me to come with you to see if the ice would bear."
"I'm sure it will bear enough for me, though probably not enough for you. And as you're nervous, it's hardly worth while to put you to any further trouble. You would hardly find it amusing to stand on the bank and watch me skating."
"Well, I can fancy more objectionable occupations."
"Can you? There is no accounting for people's fancies."
"There certainly isn't."
"So, as I am already later than I intended, I will wish you good-day. And thank you so much for the gloves."
"Good-day, and pray don't mention the gloves--ever again. But I'm going with you all the same. I'll borrow Dick's skates on the off-chance, and ask his permission afterwards."