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 Jack pulled out a pair of red mittens with the air of a boy used to giving away . `` They are lovely warm , and they do fit . Must be too small for your paws , so I 'll knit you a new pair for Christmas , and make you wear them , too , '' said Jill , putting on the mittens with a nod of thanks , and ending her speech with a stamp of her rubber boots to enforce her threat . Jack laughed , and up they trudged to the spot whence the three coasts diverged . `` Now , which will you have ? '' he asked , with a warning look in the honest blue eyes which often unconsciously controlled naughty Jill against her will . `` That one ! '' and the red mitten pointed firmly to the perilous path just tried . `` You will do it ? '' `` I will ! '' `` Come on , then , and hold tight . '' Jack 's smile was gone now , and he waited without a word while Jill tucked herself up , then took his place in front , and off they went on the brief , breathless trip straight into the drift by the fence below . `` I do n't see anything very awful in that . Come up and have another .
XXXXX is watching us , and I 'd like to show him that we are n't afraid of anything , '' said Jill , with a defiant glance at a distant boy , who had paused to watch the descent .
Jack Jill Joe anything charger mitten paws right snow to-night