"No, we won't!" promised Ted. "Come on," he called to his little brother and sister. "Oh, there you go again!" he cried, as he saw Trouble stumble and fall. "What's the matter?" he asked.
"It's these pine needles. They're awfully slippery," answered Janet. "I nearly slipped down myself. Did you hurt yourself, Trouble?" she asked the little fellow.
He did not answer directly, but first looked at the place where he had fallen. He could easily see it, because the pine needles were brushed to one side. Then Baby William tried to turn around and look at the back of his little bloomers.
"No, I isn't hurted," he said.
Janet and Ted laughed.
"I guess maybe he thought he might have broken his leg or something," remarked Teddy. "Now come on and don't fall any more, Trouble."
But the little fellow was not quite ready to go on. He stooped over and looked at the ground where he had fallen.
"What's the matter?" asked Janet, who was waiting to lead him on, holding his hand so he would not fall.
"Maybe he lost something," said Teddy. "Has he got any pockets in his bloomers, Jan?"
"No, mother sewed 'em up so he wouldn't put his hands in 'em all the while—and his hands were so dirty they made his bloomers the same way. He hasn't any pockets."