h harsh words; and when Guy and the girls came within
hearing, she was using language such as the pure-minded Jessie had never
heard before.

"Hush, Madge!" said Guy, putting his hand on Madge's shoulder. "Don't
swear! It's wicked to talk so. You go home with Jessie and Carrie, I'll
take care of these boys."

That last phrase was an unlucky one for Guy. The wicked boys took it up as
a defiance.

"Take care of us, eh? That's the talk is it? How will you do it, old
fellow?" said Jem, sneering and chucking Guy's chin.

"Keep your hands off me, if you please," said Guy; "I want nothing of you
only to let that poor girl alone."

"It's none of your business what we say to that gal," said Noll Crawford.

"Yes, it is my business to see that you let her entirely alone," replied
Guy firmly. "So stand off, and let us take her quietly a way."

"Shan't do nothin' of the kind," said Peter Mink, running toward Madge,
whose eyes flashed fire.

Guy grasped him by the collar and hurled him back from Madge, amidst the
tears and cries of Carrie and Jessie who were both very much frightened.

"Oh! oh! a fight is it you want? Come I'll fight with ye!" said Idle Jem,
slipping up to Guy, and raising his fists as if for a battle.

"I never fight!" replied Guy. "Besides, we have nothing to fight about. I
only wish you to let my little friend, Madge, alone."

"She!" retorted Jem, "that swearing cat your friend, Master Guy Carlton.
Pooh! You don't have swearing gals among your friends, I know. That gal is
some beggar's brat, and we only want to have some fun with her."

Jem's tone was much lowered toward the latter part of his speech. His
hands, too, fell as if by instinct to his pockets. Peter Mink and Noll
Crawford drew back, the latter saying as he did so--

"Come, Jem, let's leave the spunky little gentleman and his friend, Madge,
to themselves. I'd rather pick up hickory nuts than listen to his gab."

"Discretion always is the better part of valor, as Uncle Morris says,"
thought Guy, as he walked away with his sisters, patting the head of old
Rover.

It was the coming up of old Rover which had cooled off Idle Jem and his
crew. The dog had been strolling about the pasture while Jessie was
skating. Having missed his young master and mistress on returning to the
pond, the faithful fellow had followed them. He came up just at the right
moment. His rows of big white teeth, and his low growl, taught the idlers
the discretion which