bein' shtruck be thunder, an' mighty near killed! Och, but ye're
the chrazy wans! Whyever did ye go to yer tree-top shanty in such
a shtorm? Bad luck to the botherin' little house!"

"Of course it didn't rain when we went there," said Marjorie, who
was now dancing around Eliza, and flirting her wet ruffles at her,
in an endeavor to tease the good-natured cook.

But even as they talked, Mrs. Sherwood and Eliza were taking
precautions against ill effects of the storm.

Mrs. Sherwood devoted her attention to Stella, as the one needing
it most, while Eliza looked after the other two.

The three children were treated to a hot bath and vigorous
rubbings, and dry clothes, and in a short time, attired in various
kimonos and dressing-gowns from Marjorie's wardrobe, the three
victims sat in front of the kitchen range, drinking hot lemonade
and eating ginger cookies.

As Marjorie had said, there had been no wrongdoing; not even a
mischievous prank, except, perhaps, the breaking down of the
ladder, and yet it seemed a pity that Stella should have suffered
the most, when she never would have dreamed of staying at the
tree-house after it began to look like rain, had it not been for
the others.

However, there was certainly no scolding or punishment merited by
any one; and Grandma Sherwood was truly thankful that the three
were safe under her roof.