or, The Silver Skates 121

“you must give us the pleasure of dividing the money
with you.”

‘No, mynheer,” answered Hans. He spoke quietly, with-
out pretence or any grace of manner; but Peter, somehow,
felt rebuked, and put the silver back without a word.

“I like that boy, rich or poor,” he thought to himself, then
added aloud, “May I ask about this trouble of yours,.
Hans?”

“ Ah, mynheer ! it is a sad case. But I have waited here
too long. I am going to Leyden to see the great Dr.
Boekman.”

“ Dr. Boekman!” exclaimed Peter, in astonishment.

“Yes, mynheer; and I have not a moment to lose.
Good-day !”

“Stay: Iam going that way.— Come, my lads! Shall
we return to Haarlem?”

““'Yes!” cried the boys, eagerly ; and off they started.

“Now,” said Peter, drawing near Hans, both skimming
the ice so easily and lightly as they skated on together, that
they seemed scarce conscious of moving, “we are going to
stop at Leyden; and, if you are going there only with a mes-

_sage to Dr. Boekman, cannot I do the errand for you? The
boys may be too tired to skate so far to-day; but I will prom-
ise to see him early to-morrow, if he is to be found in the
city.”

‘“Ah, mynheer! that would be serving me indeed. It is
not the distance I dread, but leaving my mother so long.”

“Ts she ill?”

“No, mynheer. It is the father. You may have heard
it, —how he has been without wit for many a year, ever
since the great Schlossen Mill was built; but his body has