"Why, you never told us not to," said Tom, with innocent eyes.

Susie crept upstairs, very white and quiet. She had been really
frightened, and she had an uncomfortable feeling at the back of her mind
that somehow it was her fault. She found Dick scrambling on to the roof,
and hauled him in with unnecessary vigour. When she got downstairs she
was sulky because her mother had not time to listen to her eager excuses,
but put her hastily on one side.

"Never mind now, Susie. The first thing is to slip off your wet clothes
and get dry, and then help me with the others. Give me the big towel, and
untie Amy's frock."

"But, mother," argued Susie, "I couldn't guess he was going to be so
naughty, could I?"

"You didn't try to guess," said Tom resentfully; "and now you are trying
to make mother think you are better than me. You wouldn't hem our sails
or dig with us. We had to do something."

"And now you want me to quarrel," said Susie.--"Mother, I want to
explain."

"Hush, Susie! there is no time to explain now; you must tell me
by-and-by."

Susie flung the towel on to the floor, and felt a great lump in her
throat. Dick had to be dried and warmed, in order to stop that horrid
little croaking cough; and no one cared for her excuses or explanations.