"Well, then, come to the canal. You can skate out to the fork, where it joins the river, and see us all. Will you do that?"
"Yes."
"All right. Be there at seven."
James was ready with his skates at the time appointed, and about to leave the house.
"Where now, James?" asked his father.
"I'm going to skate awhile on the canal, father."
"Well, it's a bright evening, but don't stay late, and don't go on the river."
Just then James's little sister, Marion, who was ready to go to bed, shouted after him, "Stop, James! Give me a kiss," and holding up her rosebud mouth, in a plump face, from which the laughing eyes were shining, she received his good-night kiss, and he went out. As he passed the window, he saw, through the half-drawn curtains, little Marion by her mother, with the Bible. The father had laid his Book down, and they sat reverently listening while his petition went up to heaven. It was a beautiful picture. Poor Jamie! With what different feelings would he have looked upon it, had he then known what was to happen within the next two hours!
He crossed the field before the house, and was soon on the canal, and gliding swiftly towards the river, from which the sound of merry voices already reached his ear; and as he wheeled splendidly, just at the entrance of the canal, the boys saw him, and came bearing down upon him like a fleet of swift ships before the wind.
"Hurrah, James!" cried a dozen of them, as they joined company on the canal.