`` I was a naughty little girl , I am sorry to say . '' `` I like naughty little girls , '' observed Tommy , looking at Nan , who made a frightful grimace at him in return for the compliment . `` Why do n't I remember you then , Aunty ? Was I too young ? '' asked Demi . `` Rather , dear . '' `` I suppose my memory had n't come then . Grandpa says that different parts of the mind unfold as we grow up , and the memory part of my mind had n't unfolded when you were little , so I ca n't remember how you looked , '' explained Demi . `` Now , little Socrates , you had better keep that question for grandpa , it is beyond me , '' said Aunt Jo , putting on the extinguisher . `` Well , I will , he knows about those things , and you do n't , '' returned Demi , feeling that on the whole kites were better adapted to the comprehension of the present company . `` Tell about the last time you flew a kite , '' said Nat , for Mrs. Jo had laughed as she spoke of it , and he thought it might be interesting . `` Oh , it was only rather funny , for I was a great girl of fifteen , and was ashamed to be seen at such a play . So Uncle Teddy and I privately made our kites , and stole away to fly them . We had a capital time , and were resting as we are now , when suddenly we heard voices , and saw a party of young ladies and gentlemen coming back from a picnic . Teddy did not mind , though he was rather a large boy to be playing with a kite , but I was in a great flurry , for I knew I should be sadly laughed at , and never hear the last of it , because my wild ways amused the neighbors as much as Nan 's do us . '' ` What shall I do ? ' I whispered to Teddy , as the voices drew nearer and nearer . '' ` I 'll show you , ' he said , and whipping out his knife he cut the strings . Away flew the kites , and when the people came up we were picking flowers as properly as you please . They never suspected us , and we had a grand laugh over our narrow escape . ''
`` Were the kites lost , XXXXX ? ''
Aunty Demi Grandpa Nan Nat Socrates Teddy Tommy escape kites