The boys’ determination to reach the low register of a bullfrog in that “bully for all” line was very, very funny, especially in Roger’s case, for his speaking voice was naturally a shrill treble.
Their joy, however, awoke any sleepers there might have been in the house, and most of them came to their bedroom doors and peered out.
“What’s the matter with you blamed little rascals?” Ned, in a purple bathrobe, demanded.
“Wouldn’t you boys just as lief sing as to make that noise?” Nat, in a gray robe, and at his door, questioned.
But he grinned at his small cousins, for it hadn’t been so long ago that he was just as much of a boy as they were.
“Hello, kids!” cried Tavia, sticking out a tousled head from her room. “Tell us: What’s the good news?”
Jennie Hapgood peered out for an instant, saw Ned and Nat, and darted back with an exclamatory “Oh!”
“I—I thought something had happened,” she faintly said, closing her door all but a crack.
“Something has,” declared Joe.
“What is it, boys?” asked Dorothy, appearing fully dressed from her room. “The ice?”