Carrie looked at the sweet face of Jessie with admiration for some time, without saying a word. At last, to break the silence, she said:
“Won’t we have a good time, skating this afternoon?”
“I hope so,” said Jessie; “and we will take Madge with us, shall we?”
“Can you skate, Madge?” asked Carrie.
Madge shook her head. The child was nervous and uneasy about the coming of her mother. She was afraid she might come to the house tipsy, and so offend the friends who loved her so well.
“Can you slide on the ice?” asked Jessie.
“Yes, ma’am,” replied Madge, evidently getting to be more and more absent-minded.
“She is thinking about her mother,” whispered Carrie.
“Yes, don’t let us trouble her,” replied Jessie.
Quickly sped the bright needle, with its beautiful worsteds, along the slipper, and quickly grew into shape the flowers which were to form the pattern. A happy heart and a resolute will, make her fingers both nimble and skilful.