"Look here, Lydia," said Dave Marshall, "this is to be your punishment.
I want you and Kent to teach Margery how to swim and how to get dirty,
see? Let her play with you 'common kids,' will you?"

"Will her mother let her?" asked Lydia.

"Yes," answered Dave, grimly.

"All right," said Lydia, with a little sigh.

"I know it'll be a hard job," Marshall interpreted the sigh quickly;
"that's where the punishment comes in."

"Lydia'll do it. I'll see to it," said Amos.

"You keep out, Dudley. This is between Lydia and me. How about it,
Lydia?"

"If you'll boss her mother, I'll boss Margery and Kent," said Lydia,
with a sudden laugh.

"It's a bargain." Marshall rose. "Good night, Dudley."

"Good night, Marshall."

Amos followed his caller to the door. As he did so Lydia heard Kent's
whistle in the back yard. She joined him and the two withdrew to a
bench behind the woodshed.