d carriages so recklessly that there was actual danger as well as
discomfort in trying to keep abreast with her. Still she made no
objection to "trotting," and they started off at a brisk pace.

"Don't you just love to be in the stores around Christmas-time?" asked
Nan, watching the crowds press and surge about the doorways of some of
the most popular shops. "It's so exciting and the things seem so gay
and alluring."

"Yes, it is very attractive--all the motion and color," replied Miss
Blake, "but I don't like crowds, and when I am hemmed in at a counter
and can't get away I feel stifled and smothered, and long to scream."

"Why don't you scream then? I would!" exclaimed Nan, with a laugh.
"I'd shriek, 'Air! Air!' and then you'd see how quick the people would
let you out."

Miss Blake smiled with what Nan saw was amusement at some
just-remembered incident.

"I was watching a huge celebration in London one spring," she said.
"It was in honor of some royal birthday or something, and the streets
were packed with people all eager to get a glimpse of the military
parade and the notabilities who were to take part in it. From the
window where I sat I could not see an inch of pavement, the crowd was
so dense. At last there was a sound of martial music and the First
Regiment appeared in full gala array. Oh, I assure you it was very
imposing and well worth taking some trouble to see. The crowds pushed
and jostled, and beyond the first line or two at the curb no one among
them could get more than an occasional glimpse of a stray cockade or a
floating banner. Still the people were massed solidly from the gutter
to the house-steps. We were wondering where the enjoyment in this came
in, and congratulating ourselves that we were not doomed to struggle
and fight for space in such a huddle, when suddenly we heard a shrill
scream. It was a woman's voice crying, 'Air! Air! Give me air!' In
another instant the crowd pushed back a step, and quite a
respectably-dressed young person staggered weakly through the line to
the curb, as if to get more breathing-space. Of course she could have
got this in a much easier way by going in the other direction, but you
see her plan was to get a better view of the procession, and she
thought that was a good method of accomplishing it. It seemed a clever
trick, and she was just settling herself to enjoy her improved
position, when quick as a flash an order was given: Two men unrolled