"
But George still hesitated, for his father had forbidden him to
go on the ice without special permission.
"I know why George won't go," said John; "he's afraid he might
fall down and hurt himself."
"Or the ice might crack," said another; "and the noise would
frighten him. Perhaps his mother might not like it."
"He's a coward, that's the reason he won't come."
George could stand this no longer, for he was rather proud of his
courage. "I am not afraid," said he; and he ran to the pond, and
was the first one on the ice. The boys enjoyed the sport very
much, running and sliding, and trying to catch one another on its
smooth surface.
More boys kept coming on as they saw the sport, and soon all
thought of danger was forgotten. Then suddenly there was a loud
cry, "The ice has broken! the ice has broken!" And sure enough,
three of the boys had broken through, and were struggling in the
water; and one of them was George.
The teacher had heard the noise, and was coming to call the boys
from the ice just as they broke through. He tore some boards from
a fence close by, and shoved them out on the ice until they came
within reach of the boys in the water.
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