y who had but one boy for escort had just as pleasant a time in
many respects as those in advance.

Ruth made her friend acquainted with all the Sweetbriars who were
present and whispered to him how he had really named the new Briarwood
society. That vastly tickled Tom and he made himself just as agreeable
to the girls as he knew how. Miss Reynolds was no wet blanket on the
fun, either, and she was as good a skater as Tom himself. Ruth had
improved greatly, and before they reached the frost-bound _Minnetonka_
the teacher relieved Tom of his basket and told him to give the girl
from the Red Mill a lesson in skating with a partner--practice which
she sorely needed.

It was spirited indeed to fly over the ice, guided by Tom's sure foot
and hand. They described a great curve and came back to Miss Reynolds
and the other girls, who progressed more sedately. Then Tom gave his
hands to two of the older girls and with their arms stretched at full
length the trio went careening over the ice on the "long roll" in a way
that made Ruth, looking on with shining eyes, fairly hold her breath.

"It's wonderful!" she cried, when the three came back, glowing with the
exercise. "Do you suppose I can ever learn that, Tom?"

"Why, Ruthie, you're so sure of yourself on the skates that I believe I
could teach you to roll very easily. If Miss Reynolds will allow me?"

"Go on, Master Tom," the teacher said, laughing. "But don't go too far
away. We are nearing the boat now."

The first party that had struck out from the shore had all arrived at
the ice-bound _Minnetonka_ now, and many of them were skating in
couples thereabout. At the stern of the steamboat was an open place in
the ice, for Ruth and Tom could see the water sparkling. There was
little wind, but it was keen; the sun was quite warm and the exercise
kept the skaters from feeling the cold.

"Hullo!" exclaimed Tom to Ruth, as they began to get into good
stroke--for the girl was an apt pupil--"who is that old Bobbins has got
under his wing?"

"Who is Bobbins?" asked Ruth, with a laugh.

"My bunkie--that's what we call our chums at Seven Oaks. Bob Steele."

"Madge Steele's brother?"

"Yes. And no end of a good fellow," declared Tom. "But, my aunt!
don't his sister rig him, though? Asked old Bobbins if he had the
croup?" and Tom went off into a burst of laughter.

"Do you mean the tall, light-haired boy?" Ruth queried.

"Yes. They're skating back toward the