The children filed happily around the corner of the house, all talking at the same time, but their voices lowered as they passed out of vision. They held a whispered conversation as they passed the rickety fence, Launcelot expressing some iconoclastic sentiments in a husky undertone. They were still whispering as they entered the Canary yard, and edged mysteriously along the side of the house between the porch and the fence.
"It'll be just like playing Horashuss," urged Launcelot.
"But what would Miss Billy think?" asked Ginevra doubtfully.
"You heard what she said. She'd think it was brave!" said Launcelot in his most lordly tones.
"But s'pose some one would see?" quavered Ginevra.
"Aw pshaw! They ain't no one a-goin' to see. And if they do, what then? Go in if you're afraid."
Ginevra hesitated.
"Miss Billy'd like it," went on the tempter. His sister flung prudence to the winds. "I'll help," she said.
Holly Belle's voice rang out impatiently a second time:
"Child-run, din-ner."