"They've had a big punishment already, Puss."
"They deserve it."
"I—I scared them stiff when I shot."
"Poor girlie, and you were as badly scared yourself. My brave Glory!"
"Don't praise me, Kitty. I'm an awful coward. My teeth are chattering yet."
"And you are trembling as if you had the ague. Are you sure you're not hurt? I thought I heard something fall."
"The gun kicked and knocked me over," Gloriana admitted. "That is what gave the boys a chance to scramble into the closet. I didn't know it was Billiard and Toady then, because the bullet splintered the lamp chimney and I couldn't see real well."
"But you locked them in."
"Oh, that was easy! They were holding the door shut with all their might, and the only thing left to do was to turn the key in the lock. I am so thankful it was only a prank!"
"So am I," Tabitha admitted grudgingly. "But I can't say I relish that class of pranks."