Bennie, Barbara and Betty were rather shy when Miss Gordon introduced so many girls at one time. They could think of nothing to say.
“Won’t you try my skis?” Connie politely invited Barbara. “I think I’ll rest for a while.”
“Oh, Jimminy Crickets!” Barbara’s large dark eyes kindled with pleasure. “I’ve always wanted to try out a pair!”
The other Brownies took their cue from Connie. Sunny gave the sled she had been using to Betty, while Eileen and Rosemary took turns pulling six-year-old Benny.
Now the girls could not fail to notice that the little fellow’s mittens were nearly worn out, though they had been mended many times. Barbara, the elder of the three Stones, wore a misfitting coat made from a garment of her father’s. Betty had on a threadbare snowsuit much too small for her.
“I wish I’d get a new sled for Christmas,” remarked Betty wistfully. “But I won’t. Pop said that this year times are harder than ever, and we can’t expect very much.”
“Take another slide on mine,” urged Sunny.
For half an hour the Brownies and the Stone children had a great deal of fun on the hill. Then everyone became acutely aware of the cold. Fingers began to tingle and toes to ache.
The Stone children said good-bye to their new friends and, with their dishpans, started home.
“I’m freezing too!” announced Eileen, stamping her feet.