declared Merry , enthusiastically . `` Especially when she has a candy-scrape , '' said Joe , trying to be amiable , lest he should be left out of the party . Whereat they all laughed , and went gayly away for a farewell frolic , as the sun was setting and the keen wind nipped fingers and toes as well as noses . Down they went , one after another , on the various coasts , -- solemn Frank , long Gus , gallant Ed , fly-away Molly Loo , pretty Laura and Lotty , grumpy Joe , sweet-faced Merry with Sue shrieking wildly behind her , gay Jack and gypsy Jill , always together , -- one and all bubbling over with the innocent jollity born of healthful exercise . People passing in the road below looked up and smiled involuntarily at the red-cheeked lads and lasses , filling the frosty air with peals of laughter and cries of triumph as they flew by in every conceivable attitude ; for the fun was at its height now , and the oldest and gravest observers felt a glow of pleasure as they looked , remembering their own young days . `` Jack , take me down that coast . Joe said I would n't dare to do it , so I must , '' commanded Jill , as they paused for breath after the long trudge up hill . Jill , of course , was not her real name , but had been given because of her friendship with Jack , who so admired Janey Pecq 's spirit and fun . `` I guess I would n't . It is very bumpy and ends in a big drift ; not half so nice as this one . Hop on and we 'll have a good spin across the pond ; '' and Jack brought `` Thunderbolt '' round with a skilful swing and an engaging air that would have won obedience from anybody but wilful Jill . `` It is very nice , but I wo n't be told I do n't ` dare ' by any boy in the world . If you are afraid , I 'll go alone . '' And , before he could speak , she had snatched the rope from his hand , thrown herself upon the sled , and was off , helter-skelter , down the most dangerous coast on the hill-side . She did not get far , however ; for , starting in a hurry , she did not guide her steed with care , and the red charger landed her in the snow half-way down , where she lay laughing till Jack came to pick her up . `` If you will go , I 'll take you down all right . I 'm not afraid , for I 've done it a dozen times with the other fellows ; but we gave it up because it is short and bad , '' he said , still good-natured , though a little hurt at the charge of cowardice ; for Jack was as brave as a little lion , and with the best sort of bravery , -- the courage to do right . `` So it is ; but I must do it a few times , or Joe will plague me and spoil my fun to-night , '' answered Jill , shaking her skirts and rubbing her blue hands , wet and cold with the snow . `` Here , put these on ; I never use them . Keep them if they fit ; I only carry them to please mother . ''
And XXXXX pulled out a pair of red mittens with the air of a boy used to giving away .
Jack Jill Loo Lotty Pecq Thunderbolt charger jollity left right