Now the sun was shining and the water of the pond sparkled in the bright light. The pond was out of sight of the house. It was a place where a brook widened out, making a swimming space for the ducks. Flossie and Freddie had been allowed to sail toy boats on it, but had not been allowed to go in wading.
“It’s too muddy,” Mrs. Bobbsey had said.
But now the two little Bobbsey twins made their way down to this pond, no one in the house seeing them.
“I’ll get my shoes and stockings off before you do!” cried Freddie, sitting down on the ground near the water.
“You will not! I can beat you!” cried Flossie.
She did, but she tore one of her stockings while taking it off in such a hurry.
“I beat! I beat!” she cried, dancing up and down.
“But you tore your stocking!” cried Freddie, pointing to the hole.
“I don’t care—it was an old stocking,” replied Flossie.
“Well, anyhow, I’ll get in wading first!” shouted Freddie. He made a dash toward the water, Flossie following closely after him.