Beth ran to meet her and Julia gave vent to her feelings by crying:

"Beth Davenport, are you laughing at me too? Well, I'd rather be
laughed at than be a 'fraid cat like you."

Now Beth thought this was very mean, especially when she had considered
herself so brave. She therefore could not resist the temptation of
saying:

"Well, anyway, I told you that stilts weren't boats."

"I'm going home, Beth Davenport."

Poor Julia looked so forlorn that Beth relented.

"Julia, really I didn't laugh. Please come home with me."

"Beth," called Harvey from the river, "I wish you'd get Miss
Stick-in-the-Mud's picture for me. It would be the funniest thing I
ever saw."

"What a horrid boy," exclaimed Julia.

By the time the children reached the house, Julia had been persuaded to
remain.

Mrs. Davenport refrained from giving them much of a scolding, as she
thought Julia really needed coddling a little. She was soon arrayed in
some of Beth's clothes.