THE EMILY STARR TRILOGY: Emily of New Moon, Emily Climbs and Emily's Quest (Complete Collection). Lucy Maud Montgomery

      “Oh, all right,” said Perry cheerfully. “If I must.”

      He swung himself down until his toes touched the ladder. Aunt Laura gave a little shriek. Everybody also seemed to be stricken dumb.

      “I’ve just got my wet duds off,” Perry was saying cheerfully, waving his legs about to get a foothold on the ladder while he hung to the sides of the black hole with his elbows. “Fell into the brook when I was watering the cows. Was going to put on dry ones — but just as you say—”