"Come to the fire, Little Billee, and see if you can't begin to
commence to dry out a little bit."
"I've just washed my hair, and I can't do a thing with it!" said
Big Bill, comically, as he ran his fingers through his thick mane
of brown, wavy hair. "But, I say, this fire feels good! Wow! but
I'm damp! I say, Pennington, I've been thinking."
"Hard?"
"Yes, hard. Now you must all listen to me. I expect opposition,
but it doesn't matter. What I'm going to say now, GOES! See?"
Bill looked almost ferocious in his earnestness, and Patty looked
at him with admiration. He was so big and powerful, physically,
and now his determined face and strongly set jaw betokened an
equal mental power. "I'm at the head of this expedition, and in
the present emergency, my word is law!" He banged his clenched
fist on the mantel, as he stood before the fire, and seemed fairly
to challenge a reply.
"Well, go on," said Patty, laughing. "What's it all about?"
"It's just this. You two girls have got to stay in this house,
ALONE, while Pennington and I walk back to Spring Beach, NOW!"
"Good gracious! What for?" exclaimed
Patty, while Daisy screamed, "I WON'T do it! I WON'T stay here
alone!"
"Be quiet," said Bill, looking at Daisy sternly.
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