I was in a vitriolic temper, which was not improved by the knowledge that I was behaving badly, and should, in all probability before long, behave much worse. There is nothing more galling than the consciousness that the person with whom you are angry is in the right, and knows it, and is therefore indisposed to take any notice of your tantrums, being resolved, do what you will, not to take you seriously. That was what used to make me so mad with Mr Sanford; he would not regard me as if I were a serious character. He would persist in treating me as if I were a child. Even if I did sometimes behave like one, it ought to have made no difference, since at seventeen you are not a child, and can behave exactly as you please, because you are grown up. Especially after the experience of the world which I had had. The lake was more than a mile away from the house; amid the pine-trees in Mr Glennon's wood. A lovely walk. Particularly in that sort of weather. But, as the poet does not say, no prospect pleases when your temper is vile. The mere fact that I yearned to beg Mr Sanford's pardon for being so disagreeable made me nastier than ever. It may sound incredible; it is true. Such conversation as there was suggested that horrid game called "Snap"--played ill-naturedly. "Are you an expert skater, Miss Boyes?" "I can keep myself from falling, though, of course, I cannot compare with you." "I assure you that I have no pretensions in that direction. Like you, I can keep myself from falling and that's all." "Meaning, I presume, that I cannot even do that. Thank you." Silence. I knew the man was smiling, although I did not look at him. After we had gone about another hundred yards he spoke again. "I always think a woman looks so graceful on the ice." "You won't think so any longer after you have seen me." "I think I shall. I cannot conceive you as looking anything but graceful, anywhere, in any position." "I don't think you need sneer." "Miss Boyes." "Mr Sanford?" "I beg your pardon?" "You beg my pardon? What for?" "I don't quite know. But I feel you feel that it would be more becoming on my part. So I do so. Please will you forgive me?" "If you have no objection I should prefer to turn back. I do not care to skate to-day." "You need not skate. As I have already remarked, I am convinced that the ice will not bear. But we can at least continue our walk." "I shall skate if we do go on. On that I am determined." "You are not always so aggressive." "Nor are you always so domineering. Though I admit that as a rule you are. At home they must find you unbearable." "I hope not. I am sorry you find me domineering. Particularly as you are yourself so--plastic." "I am not plastic. I don't know what you mean. But I am sure I am nothing of the kind." "Molly."