“I think you’re very rude!” and Bernice tried to draw her hand from his. “I don’t want to skate with you.”
“Oh, yes, you do, too. I’m one of the nicest boys here. And you’ve no reason to get mad. I’m only telling you the truth. And of course you want to be cross, or you wouldn’t be so.”
“I’m not cross!”
“Oh, no! No! You’re our little ray o’ sunshine! Oh, yes!”
As a matter of fact, Bernice was in a towering rage. She had never before been spoken to like this, and she didn’t know what to make of it. But it was difficult to be angry at a boy who grinned in a most friendly manner, even while he said such impertinent things.
“Now, look here, Bernice Forbes,” Bert went on, as they skated smoothly along, “I know all about your bargain with my sister. I think it’s a crazy idea, but all the same, I think it’s a fair deal. And I want to help. But Dolly doesn’t need help, she can do all she has set out to do. So, I want to help you. Mayn’t I?”
Bert’s frank, boyish face was very wheedlesome, and as he smiled at Bernice, she saw he was in earnest and in a kindly, whole-souled way meant just what he said.
“I think you’re the strangest boy I ever saw!” she exclaimed.
“All right, let it go at that. But let’s have this thing out. Are you willing to let me help you?”
“Help me what?”