But the horses did fly, over the river and up the opposite bank if we chose; and whether we had bells or not, the merry, foolish heart of Yakub would sing, and the whip would crack, and we children would laugh; and the sport was as good as when, occasionally, we did ride in a more splendid sleigh, loaned us by one of our prouder guests.

We were wholesome as apples to look at when we returned for bread and tea in the dusk; at least I remember my sister, with cheeks as red as a painted doll's under her close-clipped curls; and my little brother, rosy, too, and aristocratic-looking enough, in his little greatcoat tied with a red sash, and little fur cap with earlaps.

For myself, I suppose my nose was purple and my cheeks pinched, just as they are now in the cold weather; but I had a good time.
At certain--I mean uncertain--intervals we were bundled up and marched to the public baths.

This was so great an undertaking, consuming half a day or so, and involving, in winter, such risk of catching cold, that it is no wonder the ceremony was not practised oftener.
The public baths were situated on the river bank.

I always stopped awhile outside, to visit the poor patient horse in the treadmill, by means of which the water was pumped into the baths.