"You won't care to spin tops in this hall if Matson catches you," cried a shrill voice, from an upper hall.
"Pooh! I'm not afraid of Matson," Floretta said, boldly, looking up at the boy who had tried to frighten her.
"Oh, aren't you?" said the boy in a teasing voice. "Well, he manages this hotel, and he'll make you stop if he catches you!"
"You stop, Jack Tiverton!" cried Floretta.
"You'll be the one to stop!" said Jack, with a loud laugh.
Dorothy crossed the hall, stepping around Floretta, who stood exactly in the way.
Looking back, she saw Floretta show the tip of her tongue to Jack, while Jack, not to be outdone, made a most outrageous face.
"I wish they weren't so horrid!" Dorothy said to herself, as she left the hall.
Having mounted Romeo, with the groom's aid, she rode off down the lovely, shady road, the man on his horse, following at a respectful distance.
She touched the pony lightly with her whip, and he responded by breaking into a gentle gallop.