Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/71

Rh something he had said in fun. He was quite distressed over it, and offered to apologize, but  I advised him to just wait a few days till Fred  recovered from his tempers.”

“Much the best way,” assented Mrs. Carter. “Fred mustn’t grow tyrannical. Here come the boys.”

It was a needless remark, for at that moment there was heard a sudden chattering of young voices, the sound of ten feet leaping up the steps, and the laughter and stamping as the boys shook off the snow. Fuzz darted to the door, barking madly, while an echo from without took up his voice and multiplied it fivefold. Bess picked up the wriggling little creature, who was carried off by Mrs. Carter; then she admitted her young guests, who came in all talking at once.

“Such a deep snow!”

“Five or six inches, at least!”

“I tell you, that fire looks dandy!”

“Phil fell down just below Bob’s gate.”

“Good evening. Miss Bessie. So jolly of you to let us come!”

“I am ever so glad to have you care to