Page:The book of Betty Barber (IA bookofbettybarbe00andr).pdf/38

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THE BOOK OF BETTY BARBER.

“Now,” said Christmas, “we’ll tell him what the B. of a C. of a P. G. Sat: 2

“And we’ll make him think of a way to pay her out,” said Easter.

“Here I am again,” said Half-term, dropping to the ground. “Oh, you are here still,” and he walked across to the Major. “I saw your street from the top of the tree. Twelve houses there are, I counted them. Is yours the first?”

But the Major did not move or speak.

“What is the matter with him?” asked Half-term.

“I don’t know,” said Christmas; “but, I say, Half-term, you know that bit of a chit of a pink girl who was here a few minutes since?”

Half-term shook his head. “Don’t remember her,” he said.

“Miss Crimson Lake, from Paint Land,” said Easter. “She called you a rude fellow and a perfect nuisance.”

“Paint Land,” said Half-term; “I saw Paint Land from the top of the tree, and paint, paint—where did I see something about painting? I know, it was in that book, ‘I shall let my children paint all day long.’ I think I should like to try it. It would be fun to paint all day long, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes,” said Christmas eagerly, “let us all try it, and tell all the children to try it.”

“A grand idea, I’m off,” cried Half-term, and he bounded away.

Christmas clapped her hands, and shouted “Hurrah!”

“What is the matter?” asked Easter.

“Don’t you see, don’t you see?” said Christmas. “He’ll paint all day long, we’ll persuade the children to paint all day long, and then we’ll see how our young friend———

‘The B. of a C. of a P. G.,” cried Easter.

“Likes it,” said Christmas

“We’ll pay her out,” said Summer.

“We will,” said Easter.

The three sisters ran after their brother, laughing and shouting “Hurrah!”

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