They saw the Equator making off a mile or two away, and Jack Frost, taking Billy by the arm, started down the mountain at a brisk trot. As they hurried along Jack Frost said:
“I suppose you have heard of me.”
“Oh, yes,” said Billy. “I have, many times.”
“I’m not so cold as I’m painted,” said Jack Frost.
“I’m sure you are not,” replied Billy respectfully.
“No,” said Jack Frost, “I really am not a bad fellow. Your father probably holds it against me because I freeze the water pipes sometimes, but think how the plumber’s poor little children love me for it.”
“That’s true,” said Billy.
“Sometimes,” continued Jack Frost, “I pinch little boys’ fingers, but that is only to remind them that they forget to ask their mothers if they can go skating.”
“I only did that once,” said Billy, reddening.
“Again,” said Jack Frost, “I nip flowers. I do that to warn them to go back into the ground, because winter is coming.”