Mamma says there is to be a very strict rule about that, because
skirts and fluffy hair like mine and Mabel's are very dangerous about a
fire," and then Tattine proceeded to roll the maple sugar in the brown paper
so as to have two or three thicknesses about it, and then, laying it upon a
flat stone, began to pound and break it with the hammer.
"Yes," said Rudolph, on his knees on the ground, and making balls of newspaper
for the foundation of the fire; "it's lucky for Mabel and me that fire is one
thing about which we can be trusted."
"I shouldn't wonder if it's the only thing," laughed Tattine, whereupon Mabel
toppled her over on the grass by way of punishment.
"No, but honest!" continued Rudolph, "I have just been trained and trained
about fire. I know it's an awfully dangerous thing. It's just foolhardy to run
any sort of risk with it, and it's wise when you make a fire in the open air
like this, to stand on the same side as the wind comes from, even if you
haven't any skirts or fluffy hair to catch."
"Here's some more wood, grandfather," said Mabel solemnly, dumping an armful
down at his side; "I should think you were eighty to hear you talk," and then
Mabel had her punishment by being chased down the path and plumped down rather
hard in the veriest tangle of brambles and briars.
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