On tiptoe, and with tread as soft and noiseless as a cat, she made her way over the short grass, until she was quite near them. Then, hiding behind a low bush, she watched them. How still she stood! For what was she waiting? Her bold eyes were full of mischief, as she whispered, "Oh, hurry up!"
Dorothy Dainty put her hands to her mouth, trumpet fashion, and called:
"Come and catch us!" and instantly the echo from the distant mountain and a shrill voice behind them, repeated:
"Come and catch us!"
"Oh, oh-o!" cried Dorothy, and Nancy ran to her, and threw her arms about her.
"You ought not to frighten Dorothy like that!" cried Nancy.
A saucy laugh answered her.
"Well, it isn't nice to be shrieked at, and you do it just like the echo, you know you do, and it's enough to frighten any one," said Nancy.
The little tease was not in the least abashed. She could imitate almost any sound that she had ever heard, and each success made her eager to repeat her efforts at mocking.
"I made old Mrs. Hermanton fly up out of her chair, and drop her ball of worsted and knitting-needles, when I shouted close to her ear."