But Twaddles delayed.

"Is it--is it--four o'clock?" he asked, his teeth chattering. "Mother
said we could stay out till four o'clock."

"It's five minutes after four," announced the stranger, consulting his
watch. "You'll have to run every step of the way to make up for lost
time. Run!"

Dot, of course, would run with Twaddles, and Meg and Bobby promised to
return the sled to Marion. They had to walk all the way around the
pond to get it for her.

"I fell in," said Twaddles beamingly, when he and Dot reached home.

Mother and Aunt Polly rubbed him dry and had him in dry stockings and
sandals in a hurry, and then Aunt Polly and Dot decided to walk uptown
and match some wool for the sweater auntie was finishing. Twaddles
wanted to go, but Mother Blossom decided he had done enough for that
day and had better stay at home with her.

"What are you doing, Mother?" asked Twaddles, watching her curiously,
after his sister and aunt had gone down the walk. "Could I do that?"

"Now, Twaddles, you've seen me fill my fountain pen hundreds of times,"
answered Mother Blossom patiently. "You always ask me that, and you
know I can't have you spilling ink all over my desk. Run away and find
something pleasant to do till I finish this letter, and then we'll
toast marshmallows over the fire."