Teddy agreed to this, and the trio trotted off along a flat, dusty road,
Teddy beguiling the way by some of his wonderful stories till they came
in sight of the low thatched cottage, covered with roses, that guarded
the turnpike.

They soon saw the young damsel, for she was swinging on the gate, her
dark hair flying in the wind, and her eyes and cheeks bright with the
exercise. She looked at the boys, then laughed.

'Poor little button-boy!' she said; 'you have to be taken care of by two
bigger ones.'

'We've come to see you,' said Sam valiantly, 'because we ain't going to
stand any cheek from you; so you had better look out.'

Nancy stopped swinging, and resting her fat little elbows on the topmost
bar, asked saucily, 'Did the button-boy tell you to come and help him
fight me? Are you all three going to try?'

'We don't fight girls,' said Teddy.

'You push them into the water.'

'I didn't.'

'I told mother about it. She thought you was a very rude boy not to wait
till I crossed over.'

There was silence, then Carrots started forward.