"Are they for us to wear, father?" asked Polly.
"Yes, Polly, but not all the time. You cannot wear them in the house."
"Then I know what they are, father. If there are two for each of us, that is one for each foot. Can't you guess now, Peter?"
"Rubber boots," shouted Peter.
"I think it is skates, father. And I am glad. I have wished for some ever since we saw the ice."
"You have made a good guess, Polly. Bring me the box that is in the hall."
Out of the box Mr. Howe took two pairs of shining new skates.
"Oh, goody, goody!" cried both children, when they saw what was in the box.
"We will go skating now," said father. "Then we can try them."
At the edge of the river he stopped. He put on the children's skates. Then he put on his own.