skate well, and the ranks are free. Any one may enter for the prize."
Gretel looked wistfully at Hans, who tugging at his cap, answered respectfully.
"Ah, jufvrouw, even if we could enter, we could skate only a few strokes with the rest. Our skates are hard wood you see," (holding up the sole of his foot), "but they soon become damp, and then they stick and trip us."
Gretel's eyes twinkled with fun as she thought of Hans' mishap in the morning, but she blushed as she faltered out timidly:
"Oh no, we can't join; but may we be there, my lady, on the great day to look on?"
"Certainly," answered Hilda, looking kindly into the two earnest faces, and wishing from her heart that she had not spent so much of her monthly allowance for lace and finery. She had but eight kwartjes[1] left, and they would buy but one pair of skates, at the furthest.
Looking down with a sigh at the two pair of feet so very different in size, she asked:
"Which of you is the better skater?"
"Gretel," replied Hans, promptly.
"Hans," answered Gretel, in the same breath.
Hilda smiled.
"I cannot buy you each a pair of skates, or even one good pair; but here are eight kwartjes. Decide be tween you which stands the best chance of winning the race, and buy the skates accordingly. I wish I had enough to buy better ones—good bye!" and, with a nod and
- ↑ A Kwartje is a small silver coin worth one quarter of a guilder, or 10 cents in American currency.
