"Call those GIRLS!" "Most delightful girls, I call them," said Jeff, his blue eyes dreamily contented.
"What do YOU call them ?" I mildly inquired.
"Boys! Nothing but boys, most of 'em.

A standoffish, disagreeable lot at that.

Critical, impertinent youngsters.

No girls at all." He was angry and severe, not a little jealous, too, I think.

Afterward, when he found out just what it was they did not like, he changed his manner somewhat and got on better.