166 FIVE ACRES TOO MUCH. 



air was sad, his manner disconsolate. As we crowd 

 ed around him, he said slowly, &quot; There is no skating.&quot; 



&quot; Ridiculous,&quot; was the answer, in a chorus of as 

 tonished voices ; &quot; there must be skating.&quot; 



&quot; Yes,&quot; said our precise associate, &quot; I have a record 

 ing thermometer, and last night the mercury fell to 

 fifteen.&quot; 



&quot;Your man is a little too cautious,&quot; I said; &quot;there 

 is such a thing as erring on the right side.&quot; 



&quot; Oh !&quot; said the ladies, &quot; if that s all, we are not 

 afraid ; are we, Mr. ?&quot; each turning to her par 

 ticular companion with a look that induced the latter 

 to engage unanimously to answer for their safety. 



&quot; But there is no ice.&quot; again said Weeville, with a 

 manner of most deplorable abasement. 



&quot; Now, how can that be ?&quot; demanded our precise 

 man again ; &quot; water freezes at thirty-two.&quot; 



&quot; Why,&quot; burst forth the female chorus, &quot; the Cen 

 tral Park has been frozen these two days.&quot; 



&quot; Well, Mr. Weeville,&quot; I then commenced, growing 

 incensed at his stupidity, &quot; if there was no ice, why 

 did you tell me last evening that it was six inches 

 thick?&quot; 



&quot; So it was,&quot; he replied, still more drearily. 



&quot; Then, in Heaven s name, what has become of it ?&quot; 



&quot; Willis cut it all yesterday, and put it in his ice- 



