Up and down three long coasts they went as fast as legs and sleds could carry them . One smooth path led into the meadow , and here the little folk congregated ; one swept across the pond , where skaters were darting about like water-bugs ; and the third , from the very top of the steep hill , ended abruptly at a rail fence on the high bank above the road . There was a group of lads and lasses sitting or leaning on this fence to rest after an exciting race , and , as they reposed , they amused themselves with criticising their mates , still absorbed in this most delightful of out-door sports . `` Here comes Frank Minot , looking as solemn as a judge , '' cried one , as a tall fellow of sixteen spun by , with a set look about the mouth and a keen sparkle of the eyes , fixed on the distant goal with a do-or-die expression . `` Here 's Molly Loo And little Boo ! '' sang out another ; and down came a girl with flying hair , carrying a small boy behind her , so fat that his short legs stuck out from the sides , and his round face looked over her shoulder like a full moon . `` There 's Gus Burton ; does n't he go it ? '' and such a very long boy whizzed by , that it looked almost as if his heels were at the top of the hill when his head was at the bottom ! `` Hurrah for Ed Devlin ! '' and a general shout greeted a sweet-faced lad , with a laugh on his lips , a fine color on his brown cheek , and a gay word for every girl he passed . `` Laura and Lotty keep to the safe coast into the meadow , and Molly Loo is the only girl that dares to try this long one to the pond . I would n't for the world ; the ice ca n't be strong yet , though it is cold enough to freeze one 's nose off , '' said a timid damsel , who sat hugging a post and screaming whenever a mischievous lad shook the fence . `` No , she is n't ; here 's Jack and Jill going like fury . '' `` Clear the track For jolly Jack ! '' sang the boys , who had rhymes and nicknames for nearly every one . Down came a gay red sled , bearing a boy who seemed all smile and sunshine , so white were his teeth , so golden was his hair , so bright and happy his whole air . Behind him clung a little gypsy of a girl , with black eyes and hair , cheeks as red as her hood , and a face full of fun and sparkle , as she waved Jack 's blue tippet like a banner with one hand , and held on with the other . `` 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 XXXXX 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 . ''
Burton Devlin Jack Jill Loo Lotty Minot skaters sled sleds