`` Is n't there a short cut ? '' `` There ought to be one by the wood-lane that comes out by Jacob Hart 's , '' I answered , `` but I do n't know where to strike it . '' `` Here is someone coming now ; we 'll inquire , '' said Frank , looking up the curve of the hard-frozen road . The `` someone '' was a little girl of about ten years old , who was trotting along with a basketful of school books on her arm . She was a pale , pinched little thing , and her jacket and red hood seemed very old and thin . `` Hello , missy , '' I said , as she came up , and then I stopped , for I saw she had been crying . `` What is the matter ? '' asked Frank , who was much more at ease with children than I was , and had always a warm spot in his heart for their small troubles . `` Has your teacher kept you in for being naughty ? '' The mite dashed her little red knuckles across her eyes and answered indignantly , `` No , indeed . I stayed after school with Minnie Lawler to sweep the floor . '' `` And did you and Minnie quarrel , and is that why you are crying ? '' asked Frank solemnly . `` Minnie and I never quarrel . I am crying because we ca n't have the school decorated on Monday for the examination , after all . The Dickeys have gone back on us ... after promising , too , '' and the tears began to swell up in the blue eyes again . `` Very bad behaviour on the part of the Dickeys , '' commented Frank . `` But ca n't you decorate the school without them ? '' `` Why , of course not . They are the only big boys in the school .
They XXXXX they would cut the boughs , and bring a ladder tomorrow and help us nail the wreaths up , and now they wo n't ... and everything is spoiled ... and Miss Davis will be so disappointed . ''
Is being came coming commented decorate gone inquire said stayed