"Your arm's in my way, Ruth," said Joe, who happened to be sitting on her right.
"I'll do it with the other, then," responded Ruth good-naturedly. To her surprise this attempt was greeted with a shout of, "That's right," and then every one laughed at her dazed expression.
"Why, I've done it that way dozens of times," she protested.
"No, you haven't," came in a laughing chorus. "Look at us once more."
Ruth looked and for the first time realized that each one was using the left hand to make the picture. "What a stupid I am," she said ruefully. "To think I let all you Glenloch girls and boys get ahead of Chicago."
"You're a Glenloch girl yourself, now," put in Katharine.
"So I am, and I know a trick game, too. If Betty will come out in the hall with me I'll have my revenge on you."
She started toward the door as she spoke, but a loud peal of the door-bell sent her flying back into the room again.
Mr. Hamilton opened the door and took in a yellow envelope which he handed to Ruth.
She tore it open eagerly and her face flushed with pleasure as she read the message. "It's from father," she cried, looking at the expectant faces around her. "He must have guessed that we might be having a party, for he says, 'Merry Christmas to all.' I just wish he could know you all, for I'm sure he'd like you."