human
The first great thing you must always bear in mind, said he,
gpt
Old Algebra,
human
Look here, Algebra, cried Penryhn,
gpt
I am trying to show Buller how to do the outside edge; can't you give him a scientific wrinkle?
human
The reason why you find an initial difficulty in the matter, said Algebra gravely, adjusting his spectacles,
gpt
Oh, I have confidence enough! said Buller;
human
I fancied they wouldn't, but Penryhn asked for a scientific wrinkle. If you want a practical one, keep the head and body erect, never looking down at the ice; when you strike out with the right foot, look over the right shoulder; body and foot are sure to follow the eye, and clasp your hands behind you, or keep them at your sides; do anything but sway them about. That's it, you got on to the outside edge then; now boldly with the left foot, and look over the left shoulder. Never mind (Buller had come a cropper); you fell then because you did not let yourself go, but when your skate took the outside edge you tried to recover. You lacked confidence, in short, in the centrifugal force, and bothered yourself, instinctively, without knowing it, with the laws of gravity. Try again; you stick to that. Rigidity. Right foot--look over right shoulder, not too far, just a turn of the head. Left foot--look over left shoulder. There, you did not fall then. Trust to the centrifugal force, that's the thing,
gpt
A capital coach he would make, said Penryhn, admiringly.
human
He always tells you just what you want to know without bothering.
gpt
Yes, said Buller,
human
I have asked him things in lessons once or twice, and he made it all as clear as possible, but I didn't know he was good for anything else. This is a grand idea for learning to skate, though; look here, this is all right, is it not?
gpt
Yes, you have got it now; lean outwards a little more, and don't bend forward. The weight should be on the centre of the foot.