veritable hostess.

"Well, how has the day gone?" asked she, trying not to betray her
amusement at Nan's obvious amazement.

"Oh, finely! We had a jolly good time. Lu can go alone now. John and
I took her out and simply made her skate. Ruth goes floundering about
like a seal, and every one laughs at her, but she's so good-natured she
doesn't mind, and one can't help liking her. Such a funny thing
happened.

"We were standing still for a minute waiting for Lu to catch her
breath, and all at once we saw Ruth coming galloping toward us in her
ridiculous way. A big, fat man was skating in the other direction, but
nowhere near her, and we didn't notice him particularly till she veered
suddenly off and crashed straight into him, without any excuse at all,
just hurled into him plump, and bowled him square over. It was the
most deliberate thing I ever saw. She had gone out of her way to do
it, but, of course, she didn't mean to. They both went crashing down
with such a thump I thought it would break the ice, and as he went over
he said: 'Good gracious!' in the mildest, funniest voice you ever
heard. John hurried off and helped him up, and I got Ruth on her feet
again, all covered with snow, and as mortified as could be, but choking
with laughter. The man looked worried, and we asked him if he was
hurt. He said, 'No! Oh, no indeed!' and then he turned to Ruth with
the most embarrassed sort of apologetic smile--just as if he had been
to blame.

"'I'm so sorry!' he stammered. 'It is the strangest thing how it could
have occurred. I thought you were over there. I really thought I was
in no one's way. Oh, would you mind telling me--a--what I said when
I--a--fell?'

"Lu was swallowing her pocket-handkerchief to keep from laughing out,
and I know I was grinning.

"Why, I think you said, 'Good gracious!'" said Ruth, shakily.

"'Oh, thank, you!' the man cried, looking ever so much relieved. 'I
thought I said 'Good gracious,' but I--I wasn't sure. I'm very glad!'
and he shambled off as if he were lamed for life, poor thing, while
Ruth and Lu and John and I simply rocked with laughter. And now when
anything happens John says 'Good gracious!' in the mildest tone, and
then goes on, 'What did I say? Oh, thank you. I thought I said "Good
gracious," but I wasn't sure!'" and Nan broke into a chuckle at the
mere recollection of the thing. Miss Blake laughed in sympathy, and
she and Nan drank their tea and nibbled