Harvey could not keep back his laughter at the odd sight, and it made Julia very indignant. She said nothing to him, however, but instead seemed to be angry with her innocent little girl friend. Beth ran to meet her and Julia gave vent to her feelings by crying: "Beth Davenport, are you laughing at me too? Well, I'd rather be laughed at than be a 'fraid cat like you." Now Beth thought this was very mean, especially when she had considered herself so brave. She therefore could not resist the temptation of saying: "Well, anyway, I told you that stilts weren't boats." "I'm going home, Beth Davenport." Poor Julia looked so forlorn that Beth relented. "Julia, really I didn't laugh. Please come home with me." "Beth," called Harvey from the river, "I wish you'd get Miss Stick-in-the-Mud's picture for me. It would be the funniest thing I ever saw." "What a horrid boy," exclaimed Julia. By the time the children reached the house, Julia had been persuaded to remain. Mrs. Davenport refrained from giving them much of a scolding, as she thought Julia really needed coddling a little. She was soon arrayed in some of Beth's clothes. Shortly after, Mrs. Gordon came in to make a call on Mrs. Davenport. She proved a very lovable woman, and won the hearts of both Beth and her mother immediately. The accident was related to her. She drew Julia to her side and said: "Daughter, you really must be more careful. What would mamma do if anything happened to her little girl? Never again try walking in the river on stilts." Both Julia and Beth immediately experienced a sinking of the heart. Her words reminded them that their beloved stilts had not been rescued from the river. Julia ran towards the door. "Daughter, where are you going?" "After my stilts. They're in the river." "Leave them there. You've had enough of stilts." And remain in the river they did, although the girls pleaded very hard to get them. Julia was asked to stay all night, and her mother consented, taking her departure alone. "Julia," said Beth, "I must tell you about a dream I had the night of the fire. It was about stilts that reached up to the clouds, and I walked on them. Then I began to fly. Oh, it was lovely. I wish we could really fly." "So do I. I believe we could if we tried. Let's try. We'll go up on that great high shed and jump off. We can make our arms go for wings, and it will be just like flying. Come on." Away they hurried to the shed. After they had climbed up on it, it seemed dreadfully high to Beth, but she did not say so. Perhaps it seemed formidable to Julia, also, but her actions would not have led one to believe it. "I'll try first, Beth." Thereupon Julia leaped from the shed, making her arms flap for wings. Strange to relate, she landed safely and without feeling much jar from it. "Oh, it's lovely, Beth. Come on."