146 THE CLERK OF THE WOODS 



perhaps you would not skate if there were. 

 Do I take you to be too old ? No, not that ; 

 but you are out of practice. I should hate 

 to see you risking yourself well over on the 

 outer edge, or attempting a sudden turnabout. 

 And you agree with me, I imagine, for you 

 quit the trail at the Town Path (the com- 

 positor will please allow the capitals the 

 path deserves them) and turn your steps 

 northward. The path, I say, deserves a proper 

 name. It is not strictly a highway, I am 

 aware ; if you were to stumble into a hole 

 here, the town could not be held liable for 

 damages ; but it is a pretty ancient thor- 

 oughfare, nevertheless, a reasonably straight 

 course through the woods by the long way 

 of them. Generation after generation has 

 traveled it. You are walking not only in 

 your own footsteps, but in those of your an- 

 cestors, who must have gone this way many 

 a time to speak and vote at town meeting. 

 Some of the oldest of them are buried in this 

 very wood, less than half a mile back; a 

 resting-place such as you would like pretty 

 well for yourself when the time comes. 

 You follow the path till it brings you near 



