"That would never do. A girl couldn't be a slave master!"
"I could!" said Harebell with great assurance.
Peter felt that if he did not assert himself now, Harebell would prove too much for him.
"If you don't play as I say, I shan't play at all. I shall go for a ride on the donkey!"
"Oh, do play, Harebell! It will be such fun," said Nan, "and he'll never catch us if we get away a quarter of an hour before he does."
Harebell wavered. Then she saw enchanting possibilities, and agreed to join in the game.
Peter got his whip and cracked it in a bloodcurdling way over their heads, whilst they picked the grass, and put it into some baskets which were fetched from the coach-house.
"Now, you lazy lubbers, look alive! No stopping to sneeze or cough! On you go!"
"Yes, yes!" said Nan nervously.
Harebell giggled. Then she stood up. "Look! Your house is on fire and your wife and children are screaming at the windows!"