“Iwasonlyinfun，“saidNed。
“YouareasneakyourselftobadgerNatroundthecorner。Letmecatchyouatitagain，andI’llsouseyouintherivernexttime。Getup，andclearout!“thunderedDan，inarage。
Nedfled，dripping，andhisimpromptusitz-bathevidentlydidhimgood，forhewasveryrespectfultoboththeboysafterthat，andseemedtohavelefthiscuriosityinthebrook。AshevanishedDanjumpedoverthewall，andfoundNatlying，asifquitewornoutandboweddownwithhistroubles。
“Hewon’tpesteryouagain，Iguess。Ifhedoes，justtellme，andI’llseetohim，“saidDan，tryingtocooldown。
“Idon’tmindwhathesaysaboutmesomuch，I’vegotusedtoit，“answeredNatsadly；“butIhatetohavehimpitchintoyou。“