"I can keep myself from falling, though, of course, I cannot compare with you."
"I assure you that I have no pretensions in that direction. Like you, I can keep myself from falling and that's all."
"Meaning, I presume, that I cannot even do that. Thank you."
Silence. I knew the man was smiling, although I did not look at him. After we had gone about another hundred yards he spoke again.
"I always think a woman looks so graceful on the ice."
"You won't think so any longer after you have seen me."
"I think I shall. I cannot conceive you as looking anything but graceful, anywhere, in any position."
"I don't think you need sneer."
"Miss Boyes."
"Mr Sanford?"