or, The Silver Skates 85

metropolis of the Netherlands, —a walled city of ninety-five
islands, and nearly two hundred bridges. Although Ben had
been there twice since his arrival in Holland, he saw, much to

 

PETER CALLING THE ROLL.

excite wonder; but his Dutch comrades, having lived near by
all their lives, considered it the most matter-of-course place in
the world. Everything interested Ben, — the tall houses, with
their forked chimneys, and gabled ends facing the street ; the