“Let go then, and drop,” said Dominick, stepping close to the tree.
“Oh no, don’t!” cried Pauline, with a little shriek; “if you do you’ll—you’ll—”
“Bust! Yes, I know I shall,” shouted Otto, in despair.
“No fear,” cried Dominick, holding out his arms, “let go, I’ll cat—”
He was stopped abruptly by receiving a shock from his little brother which sent him sprawling on his back. He sprang up, however, with a gasp.
“Why, boy, I had no idea you were so heavy,” he exclaimed, laughing.
“Now, don’t you go boasting in future, you prime minister, that I can’t knock you down,” said Otto, as he gathered himself up. “But I say, you’re not hurt, are you?” he added, with a look of concern, while Pauline seized one of Dominick’s hands and echoed the question.
“Not in the least—only a little wind knocked out of me. Moreover, I’m not yet convinced that the ascent of that tree is an impossibility.”
“You’ll have to do it yourself, then,” said Otto; “and let me warn you beforehand that, though I’m very grateful to you, I won’t stand under to catch you.”
“Was it not you who said the other night at supper that whatever a fellow resolved to do he could accomplish, and added that, where there’s a will, there’s a way?”