Now Beth thought this was very mean, especially when she had considered herself so brave. She therefore could not resist the temptation of saying:
"Well, anyway, I told you that stilts weren't boats."
"I'm going home, Beth Davenport."
Poor Julia looked so forlorn that Beth relented.
"Julia, really I didn't laugh. Please come home with me."
"Beth," called Harvey from the river, "I wish you'd get Miss Stick-in-the-Mud's picture for me. It would be the funniest thing I ever saw."
"What a horrid boy," exclaimed Julia.
By the time the children reached the house, Julia had been persuaded to remain.
Mrs. Davenport refrained from giving them much of a scolding, as she thought Julia really needed coddling a little. She was soon arrayed in some of Beth's clothes.
Shortly after, Mrs. Gordon came in to make a call on Mrs. Davenport. She proved a very lovable woman, and won the hearts of both Beth and her mother immediately.