"Does one?" said Mrs. Goddard, picking her way over the frozen mud of the road. "Take care, Nellie, it is dreadfully slippery!"
"How much she has grown," remarked John, looking at the girl's active figure as she walked before them. "She was quite a little girl when I saw her first."
"Yes, she grows very fast," answered Mrs. Goddard rather regretfully.
"You say that as though you were sorry."
"I? No. I am glad to see her grow. What a funny remark."
"I thought you spoke sadly," explained John.
"Oh, dear no. Only she is coming to the awkward age."
"She is coming to it very gracefully," said John, who wanted to say something pleasant.
"That is the most any of us can hope to do," answered Mrs. Goddard with a little smile. "We all have our awkward age, I suppose."
"I should not think you could remember yours."