But she drew her hand away, and I almost cried, for I thought I had been rude.

Instead of that, however, it was only that she didn't like giving me her glove to stroke, for she drew it off, and then laid her hand where it was before.

I wasn't sure, but I ventured to put out my ugly hand." "Your hand ain't ugly, Nanny," said Diamond; but Nanny went on-- "And I stroked it again, and then she stroked mine,--think of that! And there was a ring on her finger, and I looked down to see what it was like.

And she drew it off, and put it upon one of my fingers.

It was a red stone, and she told me they called it a ruby." "Oh, that is funny!" said Diamond.