"I'll get the step-ladder," announced Brother confidently. "You
hold it for me."
The step-ladder was an old one and inclined to wobble. Brother
mounted it slowly, and Sister sat down on the lowest step to hold
it steady. Her weight was not enough to anchor the ladder, and it
still shook crazily when Brother reached the highest step and
stood on his tiptoes to reach the string that held the swings on
the nail.
"What are you kids up to now?" a voice asked suddenly.
It was Jimmie! He had come out to the barn to get a book he had
left in the corner cupboard.
Sister jumped to her feet, startled. Her elbow brushed the wobbily
ladder and over it went, carrying Brother with it. He was too
surprised to cry out.
"Are you hurt? Of all the crazy actions?" Jimmie scolded
vigorously as he rushed to his small brother's rescue.
Fortunately for him, Brother had landed on one of the heavy,
thick, quilted pads that were on the floor. The boys used them
when on the apparatus in case they fell. Brother was not hurt at
all, but he was frightened, and when Jimmie picked him up he was
crying bitterly.
"I've a good mind to tell Father," continued Jimmie, who, of the
three older boys, was less inclined to leniency with the
performances of Brother and Sister.
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