She ran out along the bank of the lake, and called the two girls loudly. They were sliding near the shore, and Jennie’s anger and impatience returned at the sight of them in safety, disobeying the commands of those to whom they owed obedience; so that another scene of quarrelling took place, and Jennie went back sobbing with vexation, and Lillie continued to slide, more obstinate and hardened than before.
“Let us go out further,” proposed Mary, “the ice is smoother nearer the other side.”
“Are you sure it is sound?”
“Yes, Tom drew a load of wood over it yesterday.”
So on they slid till they reached a broad, square place, where Mr. Graham’s men had been cutting ice, with a thin coating as smooth as glass upon it.
“I’m not afraid to cross that. Are you, Lillie?”
Foolish child that she was, Lillie could not bear to acknowledge that she was afraid.
“You are afraid!” exclaimed Mary, with a loud laugh, seeing her hesitate. “I dare you to cross it. It is not thin.”
“You’re afraid yourself.”
“I knew you were. See, you’re only trying to get out of it.”