"I don't know why you should think so," said Mr. Brainerd, half jocularly, "when you knew my strength and activity."
"But you are the heaviest, and I feared your weight would break the vine."
"And having sustained me it is good for the rest."
"Undoubtedly it is; st, st!"
The signal was understood by Aunt Peggy, who, a minute later, came down the vine with very little effort.
Eva was next, and but for the danger, it would have been rare sport to slide down such a frail support in that fashion, and, under similar conditions, Maggie would have found it equally jolly.
As it was, Mr. Brainerd and his family let themselves to the bottom of the ravine with much less difficulty and trouble than was feared.
Only Habakkuk McEwen remained above.
"There's no use waiting for him," said Aunt Peggy, in an undertone; "he's no help to us."
"It would be cruel to leave him there," interposed Maggie.