Bird's wet floor," said the largest girl; "but if we walk tiptoe all the
other girls will laugh and say, 'See how she nips along. She tries to
walk so nice, just like the teachers.' And if we are walking on our
heels they say, 'Very awkward; hear her tramp just like a steer.' But
it is not kind to walk whole-feet."

The race mood was upon the wane, and Hannah Straight Tree was fast
losing influence.

"I would not have cared so much about the blue dress and the black shoes
and stockings, but she bought the red dress and the brown shoes and
stockings, when her little sister does not need them," Hannah argued in
an injured tone.

"She did not buy them with your money," said the playroom girl. "You
would not have taken care of a cross baby four weeks, and missed a plum
picnic, and not played a leap, to earn pretty things for Dolly. You are
much too lazy."

"Now I shall not stay another minute!" springing from the stile in deep
chagrin. "You all can like Cordelia Running Bird if you want to, but I
shall not like her."

Hannah Straight Tree ran into the house, and those remaining turned
again to watch Cordelia. She had reached a sloping bluff, down which
the fence extended to the flats beside the river. She stood a moment on
the edge, then wrapped her clothes about her and sat down on the crust.
Presently she disappeared.

"She has slid down hill," observed the playroom girl. "She must be going