"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 horrible if they'd been cut off! I think skating is
dangerous, and I'm not sorry the snow has come to spoil it; for us
girls, I mean; the older folks and the boys can take care of themselves,