"Miss Elting, I think you had better manage the stick. You are not
likely to lose your presence of mind. Hazel and Margery may help me
pull Tommy up. Be sure not to let the rope drag over the sharp edge of
the stone, or we may lose her."
Margery indulged in a fresh attack of shivering. Hazel gripped her
arm, whispering, "Brace up, dear!"
"Oh, I can--n't," sobbed Margery. "My knees won't hold me up."
"Now, girls," called Harriet cheerily, "take hold of the rope, but be
gentle about it. Remember, a sharp jolt might be a serious thing for
Tommy. It might jerk Miss Elting over, too, so be very careful. Now,
Tommy, we are going to pull you up. Don't reach for the rock. It
won't help you any to do so. Just hang limp. Try to imagine that you
are a bag of meal and we are pulling you up for the muffins to-morrow
morning."
"Oh, I can't laugh," wailed Tommy.
"Then cry, if you wish, but don't make a noise doing it. Shed all the
tears you wish to, but let them be silent tears. Now then!"
Harriet stepped back, taking firm hold of the rope. She was near the
edge of the shelf, Hazel directly behind her, with Margery still
farther back.
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