“Oh well, if that’s all,” said Billie, but Laura began to laugh hysterically.
“Oh yes, that’s all,” she cried. “I only wish it had happened to you, Billie Bradley!”
If all wishes could be fulfilled as quickly as that of Laura’s there would be few unsatisfied people in the world, for before it was out of her mouth Billie uttered a sharp cry of pain, and, lifting a smarting ankle in her hand, began to rub it gently.
“Did you do it, too?” cried Laura joyfully, adding with a good imitation of Billie: “Oh well, if that’s all—”
“Oh for goodness sake, keep still,” cried Billie, from which it will be seen that Billie was not in the best of tempers. “This place must be full of stuff. Goodness, why didn’t we think to bring matches with us!”
“Because we went out to get ferns, not to burn up the woods,” said Laura, with a chuckle.
“Goodness!” cried Vi suddenly out of the darkness. “It is—no it isn’t—yes it is——”
“For goodness sake, what’s the matter with her?” asked Laura, getting hysterical again. “Has trouble turned her head?”
“No. But something’s turned yours,” Vi’s voice came indignantly back at her. “I’ve found something, I have. But I’ve a good mind not to tell you what it is.”
“Violet, my darling,” cried Laura, fondly. “Don’t you see me on my knees?”