Mr. Pickwick, his friends and his servant, Sam, Visit Mr. Wardle in the country at Christmas. "Now," Said Wardle," what do you say to an hour on the ice?" "Prime!" exclaimed Mr. Bob Sawyer. "You skate of course, Winkle?" said Wardle. "Ye-yes, oh yes," replied Mr. Winkle. "I-I-am rather out of practice." "Oh, do skate, Mr Winkle," said Arabella. "I like it so much." Oh, it is so graceful said another young lady. "I would love to," said Mr. Winkle reddening. "but I have no skates." When someone announced that there were plenty of skates, Mr. Winkle expressed delight, but suddenly looked uncomfortable. Everyone went outside to the frozen pond, and Bob Ssawyer started skating brilliantly. All this time Mr. Winkle had been putting his skates on. At last, with the assistance of Sam. Winkle was raised to his feet. "Now, Sir," said Sam," off you go." "Stop, Sam, stop," said Mr. Winkle trembling violently, and clutching hold of Sam's arms with the grasp of a drowning man. "How slippery it is, Sam!" "Not an uncommon thing upon ice, Sir," replied Sam."Now, Mr Winkle," cried Mr. Pickwick, quite unaware that there was anything the matter.