"That's right, Edgar; so I say," cried Mr. Dundas, who had heard only the last part.
"I cannot learn," said Leam; but her face became strangely flushed, and she felt her resolution growing limp as her cheeks grew red.
"Yes, you can. I could teach you in half an hour," cried Edgar, pulling down his coat-cuffs with an air.
"Go, Leam: let Major Harrowby give you a lesson," said her father. "Perhaps he is a better teacher than that shambling-looking Alick. Go, child."
"Shall I?" asked Edgar. "At least let me assist you to cross the ice, if without skates at first."
He held out his hand.
"I shall fall," objected reluctant Leam.
"No, you shall not. I will answer for that. Come. Will you not trust me?" This last phrase was said half tenderly, half with an offended kind of remonstrance, and he was still holding out his hand.
"Go, Leam," urged her father.
"It is silly, and I shall fall," repeated Leam.