“I think it was worth six pins,” said Bobby slowly, and Mother Blossom laughed and said she thought so, too.
For the first time in weeks the twins did not envy Bobby and Meg when they started off to school the next morning. It had snowed during the night, and great was the excitement of the four little Blossoms who awoke to find a beautiful white world.
“We can play in it, can’t we?” urged Twaddles, bouncing around in his chair and nearly upsetting Meg’s oatmeal bowl. “Let’s hurry and go out, Dot.”
“I’m glad we don’t have to go to school,” said Dot. “Meg has to go; she can’t play in the snow till this afternoon. And Bobby has to go to school—he can’t play, either.”
“I hate school!” muttered Bobby. “I wish I never had to go near the place.”
Mother Blossom glanced at him in surprise and Father Blossom put down his paper and said if they’d hurry he would take him and Meg to school in the car. Mr. Bennett’s story of the fire was known all over Oak Hill by this time and though his parents guessed that Bobby was not exactly happy under such an accusation, they did not know how much tormenting he had to endure. Mr. Carter managed to keep him and the other boys out of actual fights, but he could not prevent the sly teasing that went on. The lads in the upper grades took special delight in pretending that they heard fire engines whenever Bobby or any of the three boys accused with him of the burning of the carpenter shop came near them. Bobby often said gloomily that he would like to run away.
“Well, school closes Friday,” Meg reminded her brother cheerfully. “And it’s almost Christmas. I have to go shopping Saturday.”
“So do I, Meg,” chimed in Dot. “I have to go shopping. Can’t I go with you?”
“I’ll go, too,” said Twaddles placidly. “I have ten cents to spend.”
“I want to go by myself,” declared Meg. “I don’t see why you always have to tag along.”