Down the river they went again, and across the pond; and by that time a score of busy tongues were circulating the discovery.
"It's that there city cousin of the Farnhams. She learned how to skate when she was travellin' in Russia."
Part of that news may have had some help from Corry; but Susie's aunts were glad to get her back again, and Mrs. Stebbins said to her,—
"You never did look prettier nor nicer. I do jest like to see any gal nowadays that ain't afraid of her shadder."
"Guess Susie isn't much afraid of any thing," said Pen; "but I'm awful glad there wasn't any holes in the ice."
"No air-holes are needed on a mill-pond," said Mr. Farnham; "but, if I'm not mistaken, there'll be some lame young people to-morrow. Nobody feels very well the day after such a race as that."
He was not altogether wrong. Susie felt pretty well the next day, but in spite of her practising beforehand, her race with Vosh Stebbins had been a severe one; and, to tell the full truth, he himself was willing to get over the effects of it before volunteering to try another.