“My brothers—there,” answered Dorothy, pointing. “They had to cross in front of the train because the bridge is open. They couldn’t stop at the bottom of the hill.”
The Pullman conductor understood at last. “But I’ll have to make a report of this, Miss Dale,” he said, complainingly.
Dorothy had seated herself and she was very pale. The fright for her at least had been serious.
“Make a dozen reports if you like—help yourself,” said Tavia, tartly, bending over her friend. “If there is anything to pay send the bill to Major Dale.”
The conductor grumbled something and went out, notebook in hand. In a few moments the train came to a standstill at the North Birchland station. The girls had to bestir themselves to get out in season, and that helped rouse Dorothy.
“Those rascals!” said Tavia, once they were on the platform. “Joe and Roger should be spanked.”
“I’m afraid Joe is too big for that,” sighed Dorothy. “And who would spank them? It is something they didn’t get when they were little——”
“And see the result!”
“Your brothers were whipped sufficiently, I am sure,” Dorothy said, smiling at length. “They are not one whit better than Joe and Roger.”
“Dear me! that’s so,” admitted Tavia. “But just the same, I belieev in whippings—for boys.”