Jo Ann and Peggy were thankful at that moment for the darkness. Florence must not see the look of dismay on their faces. How could they refuse to let her go with them when it was her house?—and yet both felt that they dared not.
“Peggy, ask her to let me go,” Florence begged when Jo Ann did not answer.
“Florence—you see,” began Jo Ann slowly, “it’ll be rather dangerous, and your father’d never forgive us if anything should happen to you.”
“We’ve had lots more experience climbing than you have,” added Peggy.
“I know, but I can climb that rope,” Florence put in coaxingly. “I’ve tried it.”
“Why, Florence, you shouldn’t have tried it alone!” exclaimed Jo Ann. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“I didn’t want you to know till I found out whether I could do it. I’ve wanted so much to do the things you girls do, but I knew it wouldn’t be safe to go down in that shaft without some practice climbing a rope. I feel sure I can climb down there now.”
“I can’t picture you as a tomboy climbing on top of the house,” put in Peggy, smiling.
“And here I’ve been thinking all the time that you were terribly shocked at our behavior,” added Jo Ann.
Florence shook her head. “Not shocked—just envious. I’ve been practicing going up and down that rope every morning before you girls were out of bed. I can do it easily now. You know last summer at camp I got so I could climb mountains as well as the rest of the girls, after I’d had a little experience.”