`` Jill goes wherever Jack does , and he lets her . He 's such a good-natured chap , he ca n't say ` No . ' '' `` To a girl , '' slyly added one of the boys , who had wished to borrow the red sled , and had been politely refused because Jill wanted it . `` He 's the nicest boy in the world , for he never gets mad , '' said the timid young lady , recalling the many times Jack had shielded her from the terrors which beset her path to school , in the shape of cows , dogs , and boys who made faces and called her '' ` Fraid-cat . '' `` He does n't dare to get mad with Jill , for she 'd take his head off in two minutes if he did , '' growled Joe Flint , still smarting from the rebuke Jill had given him for robbing the little ones of their safe coast because he fancied it . `` She would n't ! she 's a dear ! You need n't sniff at her because she is poor . She 's ever so much brighter than you are , or she would n't always be at the head of your class , old Joe , '' cried the girls , standing by their friend with a unanimity which proved what a favorite she was . Joe subsided with as scornful a curl to his nose as its chilly state permitted , and Merry Grant introduced a subject of general interest by asking abruptly , -- `` Who is going to the candy-scrape to-night ? '' `` All of us . Frank invited the whole set , and we shall have a tip-top time . We always do at the Minots ' , '' cried Sue , the timid trembler . `` Jack said there was a barrel of molasses in the house , so there would be enough for all to eat and some to carry away . They know how to do things handsomely ; '' and the speaker licked his lips , as if already tasting the feast in store for him . `` Mrs. Minot is a mother worth having , '' said Molly Loo , coming up with Boo on the sled ; and she knew what it was to need a mother , for she had none , and tried to care for the little brother with maternal love and patience . `` She is just as sweet as she can be ! '' 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 XXXXX , 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 .
Flint Fraid-cat Frank Joe Minot Whereat candy-scrape minutes sled terrors