Part 40 (1/2)

”Oh, _do_ skate, Mr Winkle,” said Arabella ”I like to see it solady

A third young lady said it was elegant, and a fourth expressed her opinion that it was ”swan-like”

”I should be very happy, I'; ”but I have no skates”

This objection was at once over-ruled Trundle had a couple of pair, and the fat boy announced that there were half a dozen ht, and looked exquisitely uncoe sheet of ice; and the fat boy and Mr Weller, having shovelled and swept away the snohich had fallen on it during the night, Mr Bob Sawyer adjusted his skates with a dexterity which to Mr Winkle was perfectly , and cut figures of eight, and inscribed upon the ice, without once stopping for breath, a greatdevices, to the excessive satisfaction of Mr Pickwick, Mr Tupman, and the ladies: which reached a pitch of positive enthusiasm, when old Wardle and Benjamin Allen, assisted by the aforesaid Bob Sawyer, performed some mystic evolutions, which they called a reel

All this time, Mr Winkle, with his face and hands blue with the cold, had been forcing a gi his skates on, with the points behind, and getting the straps into a very coled state, with the assistance of Mr Snodgrass, who knew rather less about skates than a Hindoo At length, however, with the assistance of Mr Weller, the unfortunate skates were firmly screwed and buckled on, and Mr Winkle was raised to his feet

”Now, then, sir,” said Sa tone; ”off vith you, and show 'em how to do it”

”Stop, Sa hold of Saupon ice, sir,” replied Mr Weller ”Hold up, sir!”

This last observation of Mr Weller's bore reference to a demonstration Mr Winkle made at the instant, of a frantic desire to throw his feet in the air, and dash the back of his head on the ice

”These--these--are very aard skates; ain't they, Sa

”I'en'l'm'n in 'em, sir,” replied Sam

”Now, Winkle,” cried Mr Pickwick, quite unconscious that there was anything the matter ”Come; the ladies are all anxiety”

”Yes, yes,” replied Mr Winkle, with a ghastly sin,” said Sae himself

”Now, sir, start off!”

”Stop an instant, Sa ot a couple of coats at home that I don't want, Sam You may have them, Sam”

”Thank'ee, sir,” replied Mr Weller

”Neveryour hat, Sam,” said Mr Winkle, hastily ”You needn't take your hand away to do that Ifor a Christive it you this afternoon, Saood, sir,” replied Mr Weller

”Just hold me at first, Saht I shall soon get in the way of it, Sa forward, with his body half doubled up, was being assisted over the ice by Mr Weller, in a very singular and un-swan-like manner, when Mr Pickwick most innocently shouted from the opposite bank:

”Sao, sir,” said Sao, sir”

With a violent effort, Mr Weller disengaged hionized Pickwickian, and, in so doing, administered a considerable impetus to the unhappy Mr Winkle With an accuracy which no degree of dexterity or practice could have insured, that unfortunate gentleman bore swiftly down into the centre of the reel, at the verya flourish of unparalleled beauty Mr

Winkle struck wildly against him, and with a loud crash they both fell heavily down Mr Pickwick ran to the spot Bob Sawyer had risen to his feet, but Mr Winkle was far too wise to do anything of the kind, in skates He was seated on the ice, uish was depicted on every lineament of his countenance