_Skate-F._ (_wounded_). Why, yer needn't be afroid! _I_ shorn't run away--you'll find _me_ 'ere when yer come back! _The C.C._ Ah, that _will_ be noice! But all the sime, a watch is a thing as slips out of mind so easy, yer know. You might go and forgit all about it. 'Ere's a match-box instead; it ain't silver! _Skate-F._ (_with respect_). Ah, you _do_ know the world, _you_ do! _The C.C._ Now, ALF, old man. I'm ready for yer! Give us 'old of yer 'and ... Go slow now. What's the Vestry about not to put some gravel down 'ere? It's downright dangerous! Whoo-up! Blowed if I ain't got some other party's legs on!... Sloide more? Whadjer torking about! I'm sloidin' every way at once, _I_ am!... Stroike out? I've struck sparks enough out of the back o'my 'ed, if that's all!... Git up? Ketch me! I'm a deal syfer settin' dayown, and I'll sty 'ere! [_He stays._ _A Nervous Skater_ (_hobbling cautiously down the bank--to Friend_). I--I don't know how I shall _be_ in these, you know--haven't had a pair on for years. (_Striking out._) Well, come--(_relieved_)-- skating's one of those things you never forget--all a question of poise and equi--confound the things! No, I'm all right, thanks--lump in the ice, that's all! As I was saying, skating soon comes back to--thought I was gone that time! Stick by me, old fellow, till I begin to feel my--Oh, hang it _all_!... Eh? surely we have been on more than five minutes! Worst of skating is, your feet get so cold!... These _are_ beastly skates. Did you hear that crack? Well, _you_ may stay on if you like, but I'm not going to risk _my_ life for a few minutes' pleasure! [_He returns to bank._ _The Fond Mother_ (_from bank, to Children on the ice_). That's right, ALMA, you're doing it _beautifully_--don't _walk_ so much! (_To French Governess_), ALMA fay bocoo de progray, may elle ne glisse assez--nayse par, Ma'amzell? _Mademoiselle_. C'est ELLA qui est la plus habile, elle patine déjà très bien--et avec un aplomb! _The F.M._ Wee-wee; may ELLA est la plus viaile, vous savvy. Look at ELLA, ALMA, and see how _she_ does it! _Mad._ Vous marchez toujours--toujours, ALMA; tâchez donc de glisser un petit peu--c'est beaucoup plus facile! _Alma_. Snay pas facile quand vous avez les skates toutes sur un côté--comme _moi_, Ma'amzell! _F.M._ Ne repondy à Ma'amzell, ALMA, and watch ELLA! _Ella_. Regardez-moi, ALMA. Je puis voler vîte--oh, mais vîte ... oh, I _have_ hurt myself so! _Alma_ (_with sisterly sympathy_). _That's_ what comes of trying to show _off_, ELLA, darling! [_ELLA is helped to the bank._ _A Paternal Skate-Fastener_. 'Ere you are, Missie--set down on this 'ere cheer--and you, too, my little dear--lor, _they_ won't do them cheers no 'arm, Mum, bless their little 'arts! Lemme tyke yer little skites orf, my pooties. _I'll_ be keerful, Mum--got childring o' my own at 'ome--the moral o' _your_ two, Mum! _The F.M._ (_to Governess_). Sayt un homme avec un bong ker. Avez-vous--er--des cuivres, Ma'amzell?