FLUSHING SKA TING-POND. 167 



houses,&quot; was the final reply. If he had fired a pistol 

 among the party, my friend could not have surprised 

 them more. &quot; He says he wanted it to freeze smooth 

 er ; but the pond is ruined for the season, as the little 

 pieces and lumps that have broken off will remain 

 and destroy the surface.&quot; 



&quot; What a shame !&quot; cried the ladies. &quot; The scoun 

 drel !&quot; growled the men. &quot; Well, what can we do ?&quot; 

 asked the former. &quot;Let us go home,&quot; replied the 

 latter. Yain were my imploring requests that they 

 would at least visit my country seat in company I 

 speak of it as my country &quot;place&quot; or &quot;seat&quot; that 

 they might warm themselves after their journey, and 

 satisfy the cravings of hunger and thirst. &quot;All 

 aboard !&quot; yelled the conductor, for the Flushing trains 

 make immediate return trips, like ferry-boats. My 

 companions clambered up the steps and into the 

 seats, and, in a moment more, were being whirled 

 back to the city. I did not accompany them, but 

 remained with Weeville, who, though far from lively, 

 was probably a more pleasant associate for me just 

 then. 



In fact, on the question of skating the city seems 

 to possess certain advantages. In the country snow 

 keeps falling at odd and inconvenient times, and 

 there are no enthusiastic individuals to shovel it off. 



