They cut a long candle in two and procured two fresh ones; then Nell went forward, light as Sheila Pat but not able to control her laughter so well, and jumped all successfully except February.
A friend called to see Herr Schmidt and he went regretfully away. Denis skipped airily over the whole twelve candles, without a pause, and without putting out one.
"Come on, Ted! It's as easy as sleeping with your eyes shut!"
"Wait a moment—I've an idea!" exclaimed Nell.
"No!"
"It's not fair for you boys. How do you think I put out February? Why, with the whiff of my skirt! You shall wear skirts!"
They draped them artistically with rugs and shawls, pinning them up till Ted declared ruefully that he moved in terror of his life.
"Come on!" shouted Denis. "What's a rug when you've got a good pair of legs! Houp la!"
And he was staggering and stumbling helplessly, with January and February both out.
"Where are your good pair of legs now?"