Now there was just that something about his tone which nettled me. It was the way he had of taking it for granted that, because he said a thing, the matter was necessarily at an end, since it was impossible to imagine that anyone would venture on remonstrance. "I daresay it will be strong enough to bear me." "I very much doubt it." "Do you? Do you skate?" "A little." "Then, since that sister and those brothers of mine have gone off, they alone know where, may I venture to suggest that you should come with me?" "I shall be delighted--as far as the ice. I'm sure you'll find that it won't bear. And, anyhow, I've no skates." "There are a pair of Dick's. They're not very rusty. And I don't suppose you'll find them very much too small." He took them up--and smiled. "As you say, they're not very rusty, and I daresay my feet are not very much more gigantic than Dick's, but--" "But what?" "I shall be very glad to come with you to examine the ice. But when you get to it you'll find that skating is out of the question." "If I get to the ice I promise you that I'll go on it. I am passionately fond of skating, and as we so seldom get any, I like to take advantage of every chance I get. Besides, I am not afraid of a little cold water, even if it does happen to be a degree or two under the usual temperature." He laughed. He had a way of laughing when I said things which were not meant to be comical which puzzled me and annoyed me too. Fortunately for himself he changed the subject, handing me the box he had been carrying. "I've brought the gloves. This time I hope you will find that they are not like boats. I am credibly informed that they are six and a quarter." "Thank you so much. I really am ashamed of myself for giving you so much trouble--it's so sweet of you. Oh, what lovely gloves. Just the shades I like. As I have brought none down with me I think I'll put a pair on now." I ought to have known better. I had, as I have said, just finished cleaning my skates, and had been washing my hands, and, in consequence, they were cold. It is not, at any time, the work of only a moment to put on a brand new pair of properly-fitting gloves. Everybody knows that, who knows anything at all. They require coaxing. Especially is this the case when your hands are cold. And certainly the task is not rendered easier by the knowledge that you are being observed by critical, supercilious eyes, towards whose owner you entertain a touch of resentment. Those gloves would not go on. The consciousness that Mr Sanford was staring at me with obvious amusement made me, perhaps, more awkward than I should have been. But, whatever the cause, I do not think I ever had so much trouble with a pair of gloves either before or since. Presently he spoke. "Rather tight, aren't they?" "Tight? What do you mean? I suppose they're six and a quarter?"