Buster John put his hand in the water again, and this seemed to satisfy him. He stepped boldly into the spring, and in a moment he stood by Mr. Thimblefinger, laughing, but still excited by the novelty of his experience. He called to his sister:—
“Come on, sis. It’s splendid down here.”
“Is it wet?” she asked plaintively. “Is it cold?”
“No!” replied Buster John impatiently. “Don’t be a baby.”
“Come on, Drusilla! You’ve got to come. Mamma said you must go wherever we went,” cried Sweetest Susan.
“No, ma’am!” exclaimed Drusilla, with emphasis. “She ain’t tol’ me ter foller you in de fier an’ needer in de water!”
But Sweetest Susan didn’t wait to hear. She jumped into the spring with a splash and then stood by her brother very red in the face.
“Five more seconds!” cried Mr. Thimblefinger in a businesslike way.
Drusilla looked in the spring and hesitated. She could see the water plain enough, but then she could also see Sweetest Susan and Buster John, and they seemed to be very comfortable.
“I’m comin’,” she yelled, “but ef you all make me git drownded in dry water I’ll ha’nt you ef it’s de las’ thing I do!”