Chapter IX · WINTER SPORTS.

CHAPTER IX. WINTER SPORTS.

Coasting—Oscar's sled—Borrowing and lending—A merry scene on the Common—Various sleds and characters—A collision—Damage to Ralph and the "Clipper"—Not accidental—The guilty parties called to account—No satisfaction obtained—Ralph's trouble—Oscar's anger—His revenge—A fight—His termination—Skating—Tiger on the ice—His plunge into an air-hole—His alarm and escape—Going home—Unfounded fears awakened—Tiger's shame—A talk about air-holes—What they are for, and how they are made—Skaters should be cautious—A change in Tiger's habits—A great snow-storm—Appearance of the streets—Fun for the boys—A job for Oscar—He is wiser than his father—Nullification of a command—The command repeated—Icy sidewalks—Laziness and its excuses—A wise suggestion—Duty neglected—Oscar called to account—His excuses—Unpleasant consequences of his negligence—The command repeated, with a "snapper" at the end—The dreaded task completed.