“And spoil the Alpine Derby, which you know is fixed for the tenth?” Frederick addressed me with some severity.  “Look here—­you must choose your sport and stick to it.  I am a ski-er; you don’t find me skating or bobbing or curling.”

“Or ski-ing,” I added.

“Before ski-ing,” he informed me, “one must have one’s ski in perfect condition.  Mine are improving daily.”

Frederick in fact spent his short mornings in giving instructions as to how his ski were to be oiled and rubbed.  All the most complicated operations of unction and massage were performed upon them, and all the time Frederick watched over them as over a sick child.

Next I was told that the height of the season had arrived.  The round of indoor entertainments went on and almost daily the guests walked to some near point to witness performances by professionals who seemed to tour the country for that purpose.

Just when there appeared to be a slight prospect of some general outdoor activity (and Frederick’s ski were pronounced perfect) a thaw occurred.  I am bound to say that the event was received philosophically.  Not a single member of the company made any complaint; they faced adversity like true Britons and boldly sat in the warm hotel to save themselves for the evening.  Nor did their distress put them off their feed; they punished the tea unmercifully, showing scarcely a sign of the aching sorrow which devoured them.

Soon it froze again.  The daily visit to the ice was made and Frederick’s ski were once more put into training.

As for me I began to believe that there was something shameful or disgraceful in my desire to skate.  So I left secretly for Sicily.  Here I can enjoy passive entertainment without being unpleasantly chilled.

Well, a few days ago I received from Frederick a letter, from which the following is a quotation:  “The final thaw has now occurred and the season is ended.  It has been one of the most successful on record.  The full programme was carried out to the letter; I wish you had been here for the last Fancy Dress.  My ski were really fit and I was looking forward to some great days on the snow.  I think I made a bit of a hit too, playing Lord Twinkles in The Gay Life.”

The ski will no doubt miss Frederick’s affectionate attention; he was very fond of them.

Yesterday, by the purest accident I came across Claudia, like myself enjoying the warmth and sunshine.

“Oh, you’ve been to Freidegg; how lovely!  I went to Kestaag this year and was very glad to leave.  Nothing to do in the evening but sit round a fire.  All day the hotel was like a wilderness and outside nothing but a lot of men falling about in the snow.  They were too tired to do anything during the evening.  It was horrid.  Next time I shall be more careful and choose a nice bright place like Freidegg.”

Next time I too shall be more careful.