Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/158

138 with one another in sounding the praises of their apt pupil. For a few days Bess made the most of her new accomplishment, and spent an hour or two of each day on the pond, where  she quickly learned to feel at home, and at  least could keep her face turned towards the  object of her hopes. It was provoking to watch the ease with which her friends slid past her,  looking so independent and sure of their footing; and Bess at first was tempted to give up  the struggle, which she felt was making her  ridiculous. But Rob’s protestations encouraged her, and on the third day she ceased to be the  new-comer. Her successor was a tall youth who awkwardly put on his skates, rose unsteadily to his feet, balanced himself for a  moment, and then, with a smile that said as  plainly as words, “Conquer or die,” struck out  boldly, only to land in an ignominious pile at  her very feet. From that moment she felt herself a veteran in the art of skating.

It was late the next afternoon when Bess with one of her friends reached the pond. Their skates were soon on, and they struck out together into the merry crowd of skaters.