RISING IN THE WORLD
The painter had just finished putting a bright green coat of paint upon the low, flat roof of Miss Minerva's long back-porch. And he left his ladder leaning against the house while he went inside to confer with her in regard to some other work.
Billy, Jimmy, Frances, and Lina had been playing “Fox and Geese.” Running around the house they spied the ladder and saw no owner to deny them.
“Le's clam' up and get on top the porch,” suggested Jimmy.
“Aunt Minerva'll put me to bed if I do,” said Billy.
“Mother'll make me learn a whole page of the catechism if I climb a ladder,” said Lina.
“My mama'll shut me up in the closet, but our mamas aren't bound to know 'bout it,”—this from Frances. “Come on, let's climb up.”
“I ain't neverpromise not to clam' no ladder but—” Billy hesitated.
“You-all 'bout the skeeriest folks they is,” sneered Jimmy. “Mama'll whip me going and coming if she finds out 'bout it, but I ain't skeered. I dare anybody to dare me to clam' up.”
“I dare you to climb this ladder,” responded an accommodating Frances.