or, The Silver Skates 319

“good-by,” and stood thoughtfully watching him as he
walked away.

In a minute, Peter called out.

“ Hans Brinker |”

“Yes, mynheer.”

©] ’ll take back all I said about Dr. Boekman.”

“ Yes, mynheer.”

Both were laughing. But Peter’s smile changed to a look
of puzzled surprise when he saw Hans kneel down by the
canal, and put on the wooden skates.

“Very queer!” muttered Peter, shaking his head as he
turned to go into the house. ‘Why in the world don’t the
boy wear his new ones?”