elf had spoken:

"I'm sure you could. But you see I am perfectly well. Honestly, I
haven't a pain nor an ache, and if my cheeks are still red it's because
the skin has been frost-nipped. I give you my word of honor I will go
to a doctor if I feel the slightest symptom."

Her tone was so heartily sincere that Nan could not doubt her. She
drew a long breath of relief, as if a heavy load had been lifted from
her heart, and threw herself upon the lounge with a contented sigh.

"Just think," she said. "Last night this time I didn't even know I was
going to have a party, and now it's all over and done with, and Ruth
and Louie want me to go skating with them to-morrow. It's been the
happiest Christmas I ever spent, with the exception of the Duffy part,
and I wish it could last forever."

"I think some of it will," replied Miss Blake in her gentle voice, as
Delia came to light the lamps.

CHAPTER XIII

ON THE ICE

There was a great crowd on the lake. It was perfect skating weather,
and every one who had skates and could use them, had come to enjoy the
advantage of the first real ice of the season. The banks were thronged
with onlookers, and it was a great inspiration to the expert ones to
know that their performances would be watched and commended by such an
audience as this.

"Goodness, girls! Did you ever see such a crush?" asked Louie
feverishly, hurrying her pace, as she, Nan, and Ruth neared the spot.

"There won't be room to move," announced Nan, adding with a laugh,
"much less to fall down in."

"All the better for me! I'll put on my skates and let the crowd push
me round. I'm never too sure of myself, but in a crush like this, one
can't go over, so I'm saved a heap of worry!" cried Ruth with a jolly
laugh.

Nan's skates were on in a twinkling, and she longed with all her heart
to be off and away. But the sight of poor Louie, struggling vainly
with her refractory straps, kept her back.

"Oh, do hurry," urged Ruth excitedly.

"Did you ever see such contrary things?" gasped Louie, her cheeks
crimson with cold, and the exertion of bending double in her fur jacket.

"Give them to me; I'll get them on in a jiffy," and Nan was down on her
knees and the skates secured before Louie had even time to thank her
with a look.

"Now, do come on!" cried Ruth, fairly dancing with eagerness.

"Oh, wait! wait! Please wait!" pleaded Louie. "This is the first time
I've been on the ice this year, and