"Well, we put Pill through the mill, first," Erna said. "Come on, peoples. Line up." She shoved and pushed at the girls until they got into line, their legs apart, then she gave Flip a not unfriendly shove. "Through the mill."
Flip bent down, held her breath, and started. With her long legs she practically had to crawl on her hands and knees as she pushed through the tunnel of legs, and her progress was slow and her bottom smarting from the slaps. She gritted her teeth and pressed on until she passed between Erna's legs at the head of the line. Erna gave her a resounding smack.
"Good for Philippa," Solvei said. "She didn't yell once."
"She has tears in her eyes," Gloria shouted.
"I have not," Flip denied.
"What are they if they aren't tears?" Esmée Bodet asked.
"It's the wind," Flip said.
"Are you ticklish?" Esmée asked.
"Yes."
Esmée rushed at her and started tickling her.