acie, how did you enjoy your
ride?"

"Oh it was just lovely, papa!" answered the little girl, "the sleigh
skimmed along so nicely without a bit of jolting; and then too, it was
such fun to watch the skaters."

A tap at the door, and Rosie's voice asking, "How is Lulu? Mamma sent me
to inquire."

"Come in, Rosie," said the captain. "Mother is very kind, and I am glad
to be able to report to her that Lulu is only very slightly hurt; so
slightly that doubtless she will be ready to join her mates in any sport
that may be going on this afternoon."

Rosie drew near with a look of commiseration on her face, but exclaimed
in surprise, "Why, your hand isn't even bound up!"

"No; I have just a patch of court plaster on each of three finger tips,"
returned Lulu, laughingly displaying them.

"But oh what a narrow escape!" cried Rosie half breathlessly. "It fairly
frightens me to think of it!"

"They'd all have been cut off if it hadn't been for papa," Lulu said
with a shudder, hiding her face on his shoulder.

"O Lu, I'm so glad they weren't!" said Rosie. "Eva has been crying fit
to break her heart because she was sure that at least the tips of your
fingers had been taken off; and in fact I couldn't help crying myself,"
she added, turning away to wipe her eyes.

"How good in you both!" exclaimed Lulu, lifting her head and showing
flushed cheeks and shining eyes. "Papa, shan't I go and find Eva and
comfort her by letting her see how little I am hurt, after all?"

"Yes, do, my child," he said, releasing her.

The two little girls went from the room together, each with her arm
about the other's waist.

"Eva's in my room taking her cry out by herself," said Rosie. "I'd like
to go there with you, but I must carry your father's answer to mamma
first. Then I'll join you."

The door of Rosie's room stood open; Evelyn sat with her back toward
it, and Lulu, entering softly, had an arm round her friend's neck before
she was aware of her presence.

"O Lu!" cried Evelyn, with a start, "are you much hurt?"

"No, you poor dear; you've been breaking your heart about almost
nothing. I hurt my knees a little in falling, and Chester's skate took a
tiny slice out of my middle finger, and scratched the one each side of
it, but that's all. See, they don't even need to be wrapped up."

"Oh, I'm so glad!" exclaimed Eva with a sigh of relief, and smiling
through tears; then with a shudder and hugging Lulu close, "It would
have been too