And both were young

by Madeleine L'Engle

"I'll go."

"Don't be a little idiot," Paul said. "As if I'd let you. Anyhow he wouldn't give it to you."

"I could pretend I was you."

"I wouldn't let you."

"I could wear your ski clothes."

"They wouldn't fit you."

"They'd fit well enough," Flip said. "I'm not so much shorter than you. And I could put my hair under your cap and in the dark he wouldn't be able to tell the difference."

Paul put his head down on his knees. "I won't let you do that."

"If you go," Flip said, "I'm afraid he'll never let you come back. He doesn't want me."

"Wouldn't you be afraid to go?"