The woods are yours to roam in at will , and if you want to roam them alone you may , and if you 'd like a companion once in a while command me . Let 's be good friends , little lass . Shake hands on it . '' I slipped down from the fence and shook hands with him . I did like him very much ... he was so nice and unaffected and brotherly ... just as if I 'd known him all my life . We walked down the long white avenue , where everything was growing dusky , and I had told him all my troubles before we got to the end of it . He was so sympathetic and agreed with me that it was a pity people had to grow up . He promised to come over tomorrow and look at Don 's leg . Don is one of my dogs , and he has got a bad leg . I 've been doctoring it myself , but it does n't get any better . Sidney thinks he can cure it . He says I must call him Sidney if I want him to call me Nic . When we got to the lake , there it lay all gleaming and smooth as glass ... the most tempting thing . `` What a glorious possible slide , '' he said . `` Let us have it , little lass . '' He took my hand and we ran down the slope and went skimming over the ice . It was glorious . The house came in sight as we reached the other side . It was big and dark and silent . `` So the old place is still standing , '' said Sidney , looking up at it .
In the dusk I thought his face had a tender , reverent look instead XXXXX the rather mocking expression it had worn all along .
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