long words and queer grammar. But come, we have our book to finish before bedtime.”
January and February had come and gone with but little snow, and no cold weather. But from the very first day March seemed determined to make amends for this neglect. A week of cold, clear weather brought glorious skating, and the boys revelled in it. After a day or two of the sport, Rob, Ted, and Phil put their heads together, and, as a result of their planning, one fine moonlight evening the trio appeared to Bess, who was comfortably toasting her toes and holding Fuzz, while she read aloud to Fred.
“Cousin Bess!” exclaimed Rob, breaking in on this cosy scene, “just drop that old book and come with us! Fred doesn’t want you half as much as we do.”
“Do come,” echoed Phil persuasively. “It is splendid skating, and we want you to come, too.”
“But I don’t know how to skate,” demurred Bess, with an affectionate glance at the fire.
“It’s high time you did, at your age,” said Rob saucily. “And it’s no use to beg off,
