Free Girls Rule! by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

eaten their snack, they went out in the front yard and took turns pushing each other on the long rope swing that hung from the beech tree. When one girl sat on the huge knot at the end of the rope, her sisters pulled her all the way over to the porch steps, climbed to the top, and let go. The girl on the swing would soar out over the front yard, back and forth, back and forth, the heavy limb above her bowing only slightly with her weight. When the swing stopped at last, it was another’s turn.
    “I wish we owned this house,” Caroline said. “I love this swing and this tree.”
    Beth took her place on the rope. “I like looking out my window and watching the river,” she said. “I likewalking across the footbridge to get to school. I even like the name of our street—Island Avenue.” Her sisters pulled her to the top of the steps, then let go. “Why do the Bensons have to come back?” she wailed, her voice sailing out over the yard.
    “Because it’s their house, that’s why,” said Eddie.
    They continued swinging and talking, swinging and talking….What they were going to do once the Strawberry Festival was over, whether the river would be deep enough for swimming, how they had talked of climbing Indian Knob, and whether they should go explore the site of the old coal mine.
    Eddie had just taken her fifth turn on the swing when she said, “Well, look who’s coming.”
    Caroline turned around, and there, walking across the clearing toward them, were the four Hatford boys.
    “Something’s up,” murmured Eddie.
    “Look at the expression on their faces!” said Beth. “When they look
that
pleasant, it means trouble.”
    Caroline looked from Eddie to Beth. Who were they kidding? They
liked
trouble. They
liked
the excitement the Hatford boys stirred up. They knew that if they moved back to Ohio, their lives would be dull as dishwater.
    “What’s this? A social call?” Eddie asked as the boys stopped a few yards away and stood awkwardly, hands in their pockets.
    “What are
you
guys doing?” Beth asked.
    “Acting natural,” said Peter. Jake poked him on thearm, and Caroline knew Eddie was right. Something was up.
    Jake looked at the girls and shrugged. “Just out horsing around. What are
you
doing?”
    “Horsing around,” said Eddie, and studied him quizzically.
    “We’re not keeping you from dinner, are we?” Josh asked.
    “No. Dad isn’t home yet,” said Beth.
    “What time does he usually get home?” Jake asked, and faked a yawn.
    “Anytime now,” said Eddie. “What’s the matter with you guys? You want to be invited for dinner?”
    “No!” said Wally.
    “Yes!” said Peter. “What are you having?”
    “Peter!” yelled Josh.
    Jake went over and sat down on the front steps. Josh and Wally followed, and finally, Peter.
    “It’s a warm afternoon, isn’t it?” said Jake.
    “Yes,” said Eddie.
    “Warmer than yesterday,” said Jake.
    “Yes,” said Beth.
    “Probably as warm as it will get all summer,” said Wally, trying to do his part.
    “This is a boring conversation,” said Peter.
    “I agree,” said Caroline.
    Just then Mr. Malloy’s car pulled in at the end of the drive, and the Hatford boys all turned in that direction.
    The girls’ father parked just outside the garage and, seeing the kids on the front porch, walked around the house.
    “How you doing?” he said to the Hatfords.
    “Fiiiiiine!” Peter warbled.
    “I hear your car wash went pretty well Saturday,” Mr. Malloy said. “Eddie tells me you’re going to try it again this weekend.”
    “Yeah, but we’ll do it at our place this time,” Josh said. “Save some on your water bill.”
    “Well, that’s thoughtful of you,” said Mr. Malloy. “I’ll vote for that.”
    He stepped between Peter and Wally to go up on the porch when Jake said, “Oh, by the way, Mr. Malloy, we thought we’d offer to paint the trim on the windows next door to us, and I just wondered if you knew how we should paint over