John was eleven now and very proud to be allowed to go down into the Toy Valley in the winter time. “Are you quite ready, my son?” his father asked in a serious voice, and John knew the great moment had come. He gripped his father very tight, shut his eyes, and bowed his head against his father’s back as he felt the sled move; faster and faster it went until John felt as though I they had left the earth entirely and were flying through the air. Then came a strange, swaying motion that (gave him a sudden sick sensation. He felt his father’s (body sway far out, and he, clutching fast, swayed too; then the sled shot ahead again faster than before, and John knew the dangerous curve had been passed and that they were flying down the mountain in safety.