“Who does she live with?” put in Grace.
“An aunt; a nice old lady, too. Miss Ramsdell. She takes care of Peg so far as Peg’ll let her; but looks like more times than enough, Peg takes care of Aunt Carrie. I was goin’ to tell you about last winter,” he resumed. “Wait a minute till I pull up that canvas. There, we’ll have more light now.” He gave a furtive glance about the dock for prospective passengers, and seeing none heading toward his landing he continued:
“We was runnin’ ice boats last winter, when the boys was cuttin’ the ice, and folks came out from the city with an idea we had airoplanes on runners out here. Well, one day came a sudden thaw and the ice melted quick. The cutters was all down there along the canal, and this lake is mighty deep, you know. Well, without warning nor nauthin’, not even a crack to give the fellers a signal, the ice split up, and Marx Hoppler went under before he could get away.”
“Oh, was he drowned?” exclaimed Grace.
“He went under so quick—and you can guess what it would be to slide under the ice on this lake. Well, finally,” Pete touched the button that lighted his headlight, “we got Marx out, and he just seemed to be froze stiff. It happened Peg was along o’ the dock. There was lots of folks gathered ’round in a hurry but no wagons, and would you believe it that little Scout had someone lift Marx on her horse, stiff and dead-like, and she got away down to the doctor’s with him before the rest of us realized what she was about!”
“Good Scouting!” exclaimed Corene.
“You betcha!” agreed Pete; “and the doc said it was just in the nick o’ time and saved Marx’s life. I tell you, folks around here’ll stand by Peg, but of course, strangers is apt to be critical,” he finished.
“We will have to call on her, we’re Scouts too, you know, Pete,” said Julia.
“Yes, I know. You look real smart in them natty little suits, too. I like the looks of them first rate,” admired Pete. “But as for callin’ on Peg, it can’t be done.”
“Why?” came a chorus.