“Here!” threatened Nat. “I’ll dance one of my fists off your ear——”
“I shall have to part you boys,” broke in Dorothy. “Threatening each other with corporal punishment—and before the ladies.”
“Why,” declared Ned, hugging his brother in a bearlike hug as Nat reached his level on the porch. “He can beat me to death if he likes, the dear little thing! Come on, ’Thaniel. What do you say to giving the girls a slide?”
“Heh?” ejaculated Nat. “What do you want to let ’em slide for? Got sick of ’em so quick? Where are your manners?”
“Oh, Ned!” groaned Tavia. “Don’t you want us hanging around any more?”
“I am surprised at Mr. Edward,” Jennie joined in.
“Gee, Edward,” said Nat, grinning, “but you do put your foot in your mouth every time you open it.”
Dorothy laughed at them all, but made no comment. Despite her late seriousness she was jolly enough when she was one of the party. And she agreed to be one to-day.
It was decided to get out Nat’s old “double-ripper,” see that it was all right, and at once start for Snake Hill, where the smaller boys had already gone.
“For this sun is going to melt the ice a good deal by noon. Of course, it will be only a short cold snap this time of year,” Dorothy said, with her usual practical sense.