Thanks

Posted by Miri Barak October 23, 2003In reply to Don't let's" said Kathleen posted by R. Berg on October 23, 2003

I would like to know the meaning of Don't let's.
The context from The Enchanted Castle by Edith Nesbit:
Gerald the eldest tells his brother and sister to march and they reach a dark place with steps down:
"There are steps down", said Jimmy.
It is an ice-house", said Gerald.
"Don't let's", said Kathleen.

I have to explain that she is not very brave (as girls used to be depicted in books on those days.

Maybe she means: let's not go any further?

My Many thanks
miri

That's what she means. "Don't let's" is a conventional colloquial form for "Let's not."

Thank you both ESC and R. Berg You're always so helpful.