Certainly my step-mother was a patient teacher, and certainly also there
were few more awkward girls than I, Rachel Grant, on that afternoon.
The stumbles I made, the way I sprawled my legs, the many falls I had,
notwithstanding my step-mother's care! Both Alex and Charley laughed
immoderately. It was Von Marlo, however, who in the end came to the
rescue.
"Mrs Grant," he said, "you are dead-tired. I have been able to skate
ever since I was able to walk. May I take Miss Dumps right round the
pond? Will you trust her to me?"
"Oh yes, do let him!" I said.
My step-mother agreed, and a minute later she was flying away herself as
though on wings, with Charley on one side of her and Alex on the other.
Notwithstanding that she was a stout person, she looked very graceful on
the ice. She could cut figures, and she set herself to teach the boys
how to manage these exquisite and bird-like movements.
Meanwhile Von Marlo and I skated away after a time with a certain amount
of success. He was taller and stronger than my step-mother, and he
taught me a Dutch way of managing the business; and after a time I was
able to go forward with the help of his strong hand, and so the
afternoon did not turn out so very disastrous after all.
As we were going home Von Marlo asked if he might walk with me. Mrs
Grant was standing near; she said "Certainly," and we started off
together.
"Not that way," he said; "I don't want to go straight back. We have
nearly two hours before dinner, and I want you to take me a very long
way round."
"But I don't know Chelmsford specially well," I replied.
"Oh, I've been poking about a bit by myself," he answered. "We'll just
walk up this road to the left, then plunge into the woods; they look so
perfect with the snow on the ground."
I took his hand, and we walked along bravely. I was warmed with the
skating; my cheeks were cold; my heart was beating heartily; I felt a
curious exhilaration which snowy air and even most badly executed
skating gives to every one.
When we entered the woods Von Marlo slackened his steps and looked full
at me.
"You are as happy as the day is long," he said.