FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS AT SCHOOL

BOOKS BY

MARGARET SIDNEY

A LITTLE MAID OF CONCORD TOWN_Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill_

A LITTLE MAID OF BOSTON TOWN_Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill_

THE FAMOUS PEPPER BOOKSIN ORDER OF PUBLICATION

_Twelve Volumes Illustrated_

FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS AND HOW THEY GREW

FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS MIDWAY

FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS GROWN UP

PHRONSIE PEPPER

THE STORIES POLLY PEPPER TOLD

THE ADVENTURES OF JOEL PEPPER

FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS ABROAD

FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS AT SCHOOL

FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS AND THEIR FRIENDS

BEN PEPPER

FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS IN THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE

OUR DAVIE PEPPER

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. , BOSTON

[Illustration: "TAKE RICKIE: HE BEAT, TOO, AS MUCH AS I. "]

FIVE LITTLE PEPPERSAT SCHOOL

By

MARGARET SIDNEY

AUTHOR OF "FIVE LITTLEPEPPERS ABROAD, " "ALITTLE MAID OF CONCORDTOWN, " "SALLY, MRS. TUBBS"

_Illustrated by_

HERMANN HEYER

BOSTON

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. 

PEPPER

TRADE-MARK

Registered in U. S. Patent Office. 

_COPYRIGHT, 1903, BYLOTHROPPUBLISHINGCOMPANY. _

_ALL RIGHTSRESERVED_

_PUBLISHEDNOV. 1903_

_Fifty-fourth Thousand. _

PREFACE

The story of young people's lives is not complete without many and broadglimpses of their school days. It was impossible to devote the space tothis recital of the Five Little Peppers' school life, in the books thatshowed their growing up. The author, therefore, was obliged unwillinglyto omit all the daily fun and study and growth, that she, loving them asif they were real children before her eyes, saw in progress. 

So she packed it all away in her mind, ready to tell to all those youngpeople who also loved the Peppers, when they clamored for more storiesabout them--just what Polly and Joel and David did in their merry schooldays. Ben never got as much schooling as the others, for he insisted ongetting into business life as early as possible, in order the sooner tobegin to pay Grandpapa King back for all his kindness. But Jasper andPercy and Van joined the Peppers at school, and a right merry time theyhad of it!

And now the time seems ripe to accede to all the insistent demands fromthose who love the Five Little Peppers, that this record of their schooldays should be given. So here it is, just as they all gave it to

 MARGARET SIDNEY. 

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

 I. HARD TIMES FOR JOEL 9

 II. THE TENNIS MATCH 24

 III. A NARROW ESCAPE 35

 IV. OF VARIOUS THINGS 49

 V. AT SILVIA HORNE'S 60

 VI. THE ACCIDENT 75

 VII. THE SALISBURY GIRLS 89

 VIII. "WE'RE TO HAVE OUR PICNIC!" 105

 IX. ALL ABOUT THE POOR BRAKEMAN 121

 X. JOEL AND HIS DOG 135

 XI. THE UNITED CLUBS 154

 XII. SOME EVERY-DAY FUN 173

 XIII. THE PICNIC 186

 XIV. MISS SALISBURY'S STORY 206

 XV. THE BROKEN VASE 233

 XVI. NEW PLANS 247

 XVII. PHRONSIE 262

XVIII. TOM'S STORY 280

 XIX. THE GRAND ENTERTAINMENT 300

 XX. THE CORCORAN FAMILY 322

 XXI. AT THE PLAY 346

 XXII. PICKERING DODGE 368

XXIII. THE CLEMCY GARDEN PARTY 389

 XXIV. THE PIECE OF NEWS 417

 XXV. "THE VERY PRETTIEST AFFAIR" 435

ILLUSTRATIONS

 PAGE

"TAKE RICKIE! HE BEAT TOO, AS MUCH AS I. " _Frontispiece_

AND SHE TOLD THEM THE WHOLE STORY ASFAST AS SHE COULD 100

JUST THEN SOMETHING SKIMMED OUT FROMTHE CORNER 155

"I NEVER DID REGARD PICNICS AS PLEASANTAFFAIRS, " GASPED MISS ANSTICE 206

"SEE, JOEL, I'M ALL FIXED UP NICE, " LAUGHEDPHRONSIE FROM HER PERCH 286

"OH, I DO HOPE I SHALL DRAW THE RIGHTONE, JASPER. " 307

"AND SO WE HAD A LITTLE ENTERTAINMENT, AND SOLD THE TICKETS, AND HERE IS OUR GIFT!" 337

THERE STOOD THE LITTLE VASE, PRESENTINGAS BRAVE AN APPEARANCE AS IN ITS FIRST PERFECTION 412

_Five Little Peppers at School_

I HARD TIMES FOR JOEL

"Come on, Pepper. " One of the boys rushed down the dormitory hall, giving a bang on Joel's door as he passed. 

"All right, " said Joel a bit crossly, "I'm coming. "

"Last bell, " came back on the wind. 

Joel threw his tennis racket on the bed, and scowled. Just then a flaxenhead peeped in, and two big eyes stared at him. 

"Ugh!"--Joel took one look--"off with you, Jenkins. " Jenkins withdrew atonce. 

Joel jumped up and slammed the door hard, whirled around in vexation, sprang over and thrust the tennis racket under the bed, seized adog-eared book, and plunged off, taking the precaution, despite hishurry, to shut the door fast behind him. 

Jenkins stole out of his room three doors beyond, and as the hall wasalmost deserted about this hour, so many boys being in recitation, hehad nothing to do but tiptoe down to Joel's room and go softly in. 

"Hullo!" A voice behind made him skip. 

"Oh, Berry, "--it was a tone of relief, --"it's you. "

"Um, " said Berry, "what's up now, Jenk?" He tossed back his head, whilea smile of delight ran all over his face. 

"Hush--come here. " Jenk had him now within Joel's room and the doorshut. "We'll have fun with the beggar now. "

"Who--Dave?"

"Dave? No. Who wants to haul him over?" cried Jenk in scorn. "You are aflat, Berry, if you think that. "

"Well, you are a flat, if you think to tackle Joe, " declared Berry withthe air and tone of one who knows. "Better let him alone, after what yougot last term. "

"Well, I ain't going to let him alone, " declared Jenk angrily, andflushing all up to his shock of light hair; "and I gave him quite asgood as he gave me, I'd have you know, Tom Beresford. "

"Hoh, hoh!" Tom gave a howl of derision, and slapped his knee in puredelight. "Tell that to the marines, sonny, " he said. 

"Hush--old Fox will hear you. Be still, can't you?"--twitching hisjacket--"and stop your noise. "

"I can't help it; you say such very funny things, " said Beresford, wiping his eyes. 

"Well, anyway, I'm going to pay him up this term, " declared Jenkinsdecidedly. He was rushing around the small room; the corners devoted toDavid being neatness itself, which couldn't truthfully be said of Joel'squarters. "I'm after his new tennis racket. Where in thunder is it?"tossing up the motley array of balls, dumb-bells, and such treasures, that showed on their surface they belonged to no one but Joel. 

"Great Scott!" Tom cried with sudden interest, and coming out of hisamusement. "You won't find it. "

"Saw him looking at it just now, before he went to class, " criedJenkins, plunging around the room. "Where is the thing?" he fumed. 

Berry gave a few swift, bird-like glances around the room, then dartedover to the end of one of the small beds, leaned down, and picked outfrom underneath the article in question. 

"Oh! give it to me, " cried Jenk, flying at him, and possessing himselfof the treasure; "it's mine; I told you of it. "

"Isn't it a beauty!" declared Berry, his eyes very big and longing. 

"Ha, ha--ain't it? Well, Joe won't see this in one spell. "

Jenkins gave it a swing over his head, then batted his knee with it. 

"What are you going to do, Jenk?" demanded Berry, presently, when hecould get his mind off from the racket itself. 

"Do? Ha, ha! Who says I can't pay the beggar back?" grinned Jenk, hopping all over the room, and knocking into things generally. 

"Hush--hush, " warned Berry, plunging after him; "here's old Fox, " whichbrought both boys up breathless in the middle of the floor. 

"She's gone by"--a long breath of relief; "and there she goes down thestairs, " finished Berry. 

"Sure?" Not daring to breathe, but clutching the racket tightly, andwith one eye on Berry, Jenk cried again in a loud whisper, "Sure, Berry?"

"As if any one could mistake the flap of those slipper-heels on thestairs!" said Berry scornfully. 

"Well, look out of the window, " suggested Jenk suddenly. "She'll goacross the yard, maybe. "

So Berry dashed to the window, and gave one look. "There she sails witha bottle in her hand, going over to South" (the other dormitory acrossthe yard). "Most likely Jones has the colic again. Good! Now thatdisposes finely of old Fox, " which brought him back to the subject inhand, the disposal of Joel's racket. 

"Give me that, " he said, hurrying over to Jenkins. 

"No, you don't, " said that individual; "and I must be lively before oldFox gets back. " With that, he rushed out of the room. 

"If you don't give me that racket, I'll tell on you, " cried Beresford ina passion, flying after him. 

"Hush!" Jenk turned on him suddenly, and gripped him fast. "See here, "he cried in a suppressed tone, and curbing his anger as best he could, "you don't want Joe to go into that match, this afternoon, with thisracket. " He shook it with eager, angry fingers. 

"No, " said Berry without stopping to think, "I don't. "

"Well, then, you better keep still, and hold your tongue, " advised Jenkangrily. 

"Well, what are you going to do with it?"

"None of your----" what, he didn't say, for just then a boy flew out ofhis room, to tear down the long hall. He had his back to them, and therewas no time to skip back into Jenkins' own room, for the two had alreadypassed it. One wild second, and Jenkins thrust the racket into thedepths of the housemaid's closet close at hand, under somecleaning-cloths on a shelf. Then he stuck his hands in his pockets. 

"Hullo!" The boy who was rushing along, suddenly turned, to see himwhistling. 

"Oh Jenk, is that you? See here, where's your Cæsar?"

"Don't know--gone up the spout, " said Jenkins carelessly, and keepingwell in front of Beresford. 

"Well, who has one? You haven't, Berry?" He turned to Tom anxiously. 

"Not on your life he hasn't, " Jenk answered for him. 

"Botheration!" ejaculated the boy. "I've fifty lines to do, else I'mshut in from the game. And Simmons has run off with my book. "

"Try Joe Pepper's room; he's in math recitation, " said Jenk suddenly. "He has one, Toppy. "

"You're a brick. " Toppy flew down the hall, and bolted into Joel's room. 

"Holy Moses, what luck! He'll prowl for an hour over Joe's duds. Comeon. " Jenk had his head in the cupboard, and his fingers almost on theracket, when Toppy's voice rang dismally down the hall: "Joe must havetaken it. "

Jenk pulled his fingers out, and had the door fast, and was quite turnedaway from the dangerous locality. "Well, I don't know what you'll do, Toppy, " he said, controlling his dismay enough to speak. "Run down andskin through the fellows' rooms on first floor. Oh, good gracious!" hegroaned, "it's all up with getting it now, " as a swarm of boys cametumbling over the stairs. 

So he mixed with them, laughing and talking, and Berry melted offsomewhere. And no one had time to think a syllable of anything but thegreat game of tennis to be called at two o'clock, between the twodivisions of Dr. Marks' boys. Some of the team of the St. Andrew'sSchool, a well-known set of fellows at this sport and terribly hard tobeat, were going to be visitors. So there was unusual excitement. 

"What's up, Pepper?" A howl that rose above every other sort of din thatwas then in progress, came from Joel's room. 

"He's been in here!" Joel plunged out of the doorway, tossing his black, curly locks, that were always his bane, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Say, where's Jenk? He's been in my room, " he cried, doubling up hissmall fists. 

"What is it?" cried Jenkins, making as if just coming up the stairs. "What's all the row about?"

"You've been in my room, " shouted Joel in a loud, insistent voice, "andtaken my----" The rest was lost in a babel of voices. 

"What? What's gone, Joe?" They all crowded into the small space, andswarmed all over the room. 

"My racket, " yelled Joel wrathfully. "Jenk has got it; he better give itup. Quick now. " He pushed up the sleeves of his tennis shirt, andsquared off, glaring at them all, but making the best of his way overtoward Jenk. 

That individual, when he saw him coming, thought it better to get behindsome intervening boys. Everybody huddled against everybody else, and itwas impossible to get at the truth. 

"See here now, Mother Fox will be after us all if you don't hush up, "called one boy. "I guess she's coming, " which had the desired effect. All the voices died down except Joel's. 

"I don't care, " said Joel wrathfully. "I wish she would come. Jenk hasgot my racket. He saw me with it before I ran to math; and now it'sgone. " All eyes turned to Jenkins. 

"Is that so?" A half-dozen hands pushed him into the centre of thegroup. "Then you've got to give him fits, Pepper. "

"I'm going to, " announced Joel, pushing up his sleeves higher yet, "until he tells where it is. Come on, Jenk. " He tossed his head like ayoung lion, and squared off. 

"I haven't your old racket, " declared Jenk, a white line beginning tocome around his mouth. It wasn't pleasant to see his reckoning quite sonear. 

"Then you know where it is, " declared Joel. 

"And give it to the beggar, " cried several of the boys, with whomJenkins was by no means a favorite. 

"Give it to him worse than you did last term, Joe, " called some one onthe edge of the circle closing around the two. 

"I'm going to, " nodded Joel, every nerve in his body tingling to begin. "Come on, Jenk, if you won't tell where you've put my racket. "

"He's afraid, " said the boy who had advised the more severe pommelling, "old 'fraid-cat!"

Jenkins, his knees knocking together miserably, but with a wild rage inhis heart at these words, struck out blindly to meet Joel's sturdylittle fists, and to find his Waterloo. 

In the midst of the din and confusion that this encounter produced, steps that could never by any possibility be mistaken for those of aschoolboy struck upon their ears. 

The circle of spectators flew wide, and before Joel and Jenkins realizedwhat was coming, a good two dozen hands were laid on their collars, andthey were dragged apart, and hauled into separate rooms, the rest of theboys scattering successfully. Tom Beresford fled with the rest, and thelong hall was cleared. 

"Boys!" the voice of the matron, Mrs. Fox, rang down the deserted, longhall, as she looked up from the stairway. "Humph! they are quiet enoughnow. " She gave a restful sigh, and went down again. Jones and his colicwere just so much extra on a terribly busy day. 

"What did you fellows touch me for?" roared Joel, lifting a bloody nose. In his own room, Jenkins was in that state that recognizes anyinterruption as a blessing. 

"Old Fox would have caught you, if we hadn't rushed you both, " cried theboys. 

Tom Beresford worked his way up to say close to Joel's ear, "Don'tspeak, get into your room; I'll tell you where it is, " then melted offto the outer circle of boys. 

Joel looked up, gave a little nod, then broke away from the boys, anddashed to Jenkins' door. 

"See here, "--he flung the words out, --"you've got to finish sometimewhen Mrs. Fox isn't round. "

Jenkins, who was under the impression that he had had quite enough, wasmade to say, "All right;" something in the boys' faces making it seemimperative that he should do so. 

Quite pleased, Joel withdrew as suddenly as he had come. 

Meanwhile, up the stairs, two at a time, came Davie, singing at thememory of the special commendation given by his instructor in therecitation just over; and secretly David's heart bounded with a wildhope of taking home a prize in classics for Mamsie!

"Everything's just beautiful this term!" he hummed to himself. And then, in a breathing space he was in his room, and there, well drawn behindthe door, was a boy with big eyes. "_Hush_" he warned. 

"What's the matter?" asked David in astonishment, "and where's Joel?"

"Oh, don't speak his name; he's in disgrace. Oh, it's perfectly awful!"The boy huddled up in a heap, and tried to shut the door. 

"Who?" cried David, not believing his ears. 

"Joel--oh dear! it's perfectly awful!"

"Stop saying it's perfectly awful, Bates, and tell me what's thematter. " Davie felt faintish, and sat down on the shoe-box. 

Bates shut the door with a clap, and then came to stand over him, letting the whole information out with a rush. 

"He's pitched into Jenk--and they've had a fight--and they're allblood--and the old Fox almost got 'em both. " Then he shut his mouthsuddenly, the whole being told. 

Davie put both hands to his head. For a minute everything turned darkaround him. Then he thought of Mamsie. "Oh dear me!" he said, coming to. 

"How I wish he'd had it all out with that beggar!" exploded Bateslongingly. 

David didn't say anything, being just then without words. At thisinstant Joel rushed in with his bloody nose, and a torn sleeve whereJenk in his desperation had gripped it fast. 

"Oh Joel!" screamed Davie at sight of him, and springing from hisshoe-box. "Are you hurt? Oh Joey!"

"Phoo! that's nothing, " said Joel, running over to the wash-basin, andplunging his head in, to come up bright and smiling. "See, Dave, I'm allright, " he announced, his black eyes shining. "But he's a mean beggar tosteal my new racket, " he concluded angrily. 

"To steal your new racket that Grandpapa sent you!" echoed David. "Ohdear me! who has taken it? Oh Joel!"

"That beggar Jenkins, " exploded Joel. "But I'm to know where it is. "Just then the door opened cautiously, enough to admit a head. "Don'tspeak, Pepper, but come. "

Joel flung down the towel, and pranced to the door. 

"No one else, " said the boy to whom the head belonged. 

"Not me?" asked David longingly. "Can't I come?"

"No--no one but Joe. " Joel rushed over the sill tumultuously, desertingDavid and the Bates boy. 

"Don't speak a single word, " said the boy out in the hall, putting hismouth close to Joel's ear, "but move lively. "

No need to tell him so. In a minute they were both before thehousemaid's closet. 

"Feel under, " whispered the boy, with a sharp eye down the length of thehall. 

Joel's brown hands pawed among the cleaning-cloths and brushes, bringingup in a trice the racket, Grandpapa's gift, to flourish it high. 

"Take care; keep it down, " said the boy in a hurried whisper. 

"Oh, oh!" cried Joel, hanging to it in a transport. 

"Um, " the boy nodded. "Hush, be still. Now skip for your room. "

"Beresford, " said Joel, his black eyes shining as he paused a breathingspace before rushing back to Davie, the new racket gripped fast, "if Idon't pay Jenk for this!"

"Do. " Tom grinned all over his face in great delight; "you'll be apublic benefactor, " and he softly beat his hands together. 

II THE TENNIS MATCH

Joel, hugging his recovered tennis racket, rushed off to the court. TomBeresford, staring out of his window, paused while pulling on hissweater to see him go, a sorry little feeling at his heart, after all, at Joe's good spirits. 

"He'll play like the mischief, and a great deal better for the row andthe fright over that old racket. Well, I had to tell. 'Twould have beentoo mean for anything to have kept still. "

So he smothered a sigh, and got into his togs, seized his implements ofbattle, and dashed off too. Streams of boys were rushing down to thecourt, and the yard was black with them. In the best places were thevisitors. Royalty couldn't have held stronger claims to distinction inthe eyes of Dr. Marks' boys; and many were the anxious glances sent overat the four St. Andrew's boys. If the playing shouldn't come up to theusual high mark!

"Pepper will score high, " one after another said as he dropped to theground next to his chums, in the circle around the court. 

"Of course. " Nobody seemed to doubt Joel's powers along that line. "Healways does. " And cries of "Pepper--Pepper, " were taken up, andresounded over the yard. 

Joel heard it as he dashed along, and he held his head high, wellpleased. But David followed his every movement with anxiety. "I'm afraidhe was hurt, " he said to himself; "and if he should lose the game, he'dnever get over it. Oh dear me! if Mamsie could only be here!"

But Mamsie was far away from her boys, whom she had put at Dr. Marks'school for the very purpose of achieving self-reliance and obedience tothe training of the little brown house. So Davie, smothering hislonging, got into a front row with several boys of his set, and bent allhis attention to the game just beginning. 

Sharp at two o'clock the four went on to the court--Joel and FredRicketson against Tom Beresford and Lawrence Greene, otherwise "Larry. "And amid howls of support from the "rooters, " the game began. 

At first Joel's luck seemed to desert him, and he played wild, causingmuch consternation in the ranks violently rooting for him. David's headsank, and he leaned his elbows on his knees, to bury his hot cheeks inhis hands. 

"Wake up, " cried Paul Sykes, his very particular friend, hoarsely, giving him a dig in the ribs. "Don't collapse, Dave. "

"Oh!" groaned David, his head sinking lower yet, "I can't look; I simplycan't. It will kill Joel. "

"Stiffen up!" cried Paul. "Joe's all right; he'll come to. _Ha!_"

A shout, stunning at first, that finally bore down all before it in theshape of opposing enthusiasm, swept over the whole yard. Screams ofapplause, perfectly deafening, rent the air. And look! even the visitorsfrom St. Andrew's are leaping to their feet, and yelling, "Good--good. "Something quite out of the common, even in a close tennis match, wastaking place. David shuddered, and crouched down on the ground as far ashe could. Paul gave him an awful whack on the back. 

"You're losing it all, " he cried as he stood on his tiptoes. "Hi! Hi!Tippety Rippety! Hi! Hi!"

It was Joel's especial yell; and there he was, as David scrambled up tosee him, head thrown back, and black eyes shining in the way they alwaysdid when he worked for Mamsie and Polly, and that dealt despair to allopponents. He had just made a brilliant stroke, returning one of Larry'sswiftest balls in such a manner that it just skimmed over the net andpassed the boys before they could recover themselves, and fairly takingoff from their feet the St. Andrew's men who had been misled by Joel'sprevious slow playing in the first set, which Tom and Larry had won. 

"Who is he? Gee Whiz! but that's good form!" declared Vincent Parry, theSt. Andrew's champion, excitedly. 

"Pepper--don't you know Pepper?" cried a dozen throats, trying to seemunconscious that it was Parry, the champion, who was asking thequestion. 

"Oh, is that Pepper?" said the St. Andrew's boy. While "Pepper--Pepper. Hi! Hi! Tippety Rippety! Hi! Hi!" rolled out, till there wasn't anyother sound to be heard. And a regular tussle of boys were getting inthe wildest excitement when it was announced that Pepper and Ricketsonhad won the second set, the referees trying to quiet them so that thegame could proceed. 

In the third set, Joel seemed to have it all his own way, and fairlyswept Ricketson along with him. The excitement was now so intense thatthe boys forgot to yell, afraid they would miss some strokes. 

David clenched his hands tightly. The net and flying balls spun alltogether inextricably before his eyes as he strained them to see Joe'sbrilliant returns. This was the deciding set, as the cup was to go tothe winners of two sets out of three. 

Joel's last serve was what finished it; the ball flashing by Tom withsuch impetus, that even the St. Andrew's champion said he couldn't everhave returned it. 

Everybody drew a long breath, and then the crowd rushed and converged toJoel; surrounded him, fighting for first place, the fortunate onestossing him up to their shoulders to race him in triumph around theyard. 

"Take Ricket!" screamed Joel, red in the face. "Take him!" he roared. "He beat too, as much as I. " So a second group seized Fred; and up hewent to be trotted after, the crowd swarming alongside, yelling, tumbling over each other, --gone perfectly wild; Joe waving the cup, thrust into his hand, which would be kept by the winners for a year. 

 * * * * *

It was the middle of the night. Davie, flushed with the happiestthoughts, had peacefully settled to dreams in which Mamsie andGrandpapa, and Polly and Jasper, and all the dear home people, weretangled up. And Phronsie seemed to be waving a big silver cup, andpiping out with a glad little laugh, "Oh, I am so glad!" And now andthen the scene of operations flew off to the little brown house, that itappeared impossible to keep quite out of dreamland. Some one gripped himby the arm. 

"Oh, what is it, Joe?" David flew up to a sitting posture in the middleof his bed. 

"It isn't Joe. Get up as quick as you can. "

David, with a dreadful feeling at his heart, tumbled out of bed. "_Isn'tJoe!_" he found time to say, with a glance in the darkness over towardJoel's bed. 

"Hurry up, don't stop to talk. " The voice was Tom Beresford's. "Get onyour clothes. "

Meantime he was scuffing around. "Where in time are your shoes?" ButDavid already had those articles, and was pulling them on with hastyfingers. "Oh, tell me, " he couldn't help crying; but "Hurry up!" was allhe got for his pains. And at last, after what seemed an age to Tom, David was piloted out into the hall, with many adjurations to "gosoftly, " down the long flight of stairs. Here he came to a dead stop. "Ican't go another single step, Tom, " he said firmly, "unless you tell mewhat you want me for. And where is Joel?" he gasped. 

"Oh, bother! in another minute you'd have been outside, and then itwould be safe to tell you, " said Tom. "Well, if you will have it, Dave, Joe's finishing up that business with Jenk, and you're the only one thatcan stop it. Now don't keel over. "

David clung to the door, which Tom had managed to open softly, and for aminute it looked as if Beresford would have his hands full without inthe least benefiting Joel. But suddenly he straightened up. "Oh, tell mewhere he is, " he cried, in a manner and voice exactly like Polly whenshe had anything that must be done set before her. And clear ahead ofhis guide when Tom whispered, "Down in the pine grove, " sped Davie onthe very wings of the wind. 

"Gracious! Joel is nothing to Dave as a sprinter, " said Tom to himself, as his long legs got him over the ground in the rear. 

The two boys hugged the shadow of the tall trees and dashed across thelawn to the shrubbery beyond. Then it was but a breathing space, and afew good leaps to the depths of the pine grove. In the midst of thiswere two figures, busily engaged in the cheerful occupation offisticuffing each other till the stronger might win. 

"_Joel!_" called David hoarsely, his breath nearly spent as he dashedup. 

Joel, at this, wavered, and turned. Seeing which, his antagonist dealthim a thwack that made his head spin, and nearly lost him his footing. 

"That was mean, Jenk!" exclaimed Beresford, dashing up in time to seeit. "You took advantage when Joe was off guard, " he cried hotly. 

"No such thing, " roared Jenk, losing his head at what now seemed an easyvictory, "and I'll settle with you when I get through with Joe, forbeing such a mean sneak as to turn tell-tale, Tom. "

"All right, " said Tom coolly. "Go it, Joe, and pay him up. You'veseveral scores to settle now. "

"Joel, " gasped Davie. "Oh Mamsie!" He could get no further. 

Joel's hands, out once more in good fighting trim, wavered again, andsank helplessly down to his side. 

"Oh dear!" Tom groaned in amazement. 

"Hoh--hoh! you see how easy I could whip him, " laughed Jenkins, rainingdown blows all over Joel's figure, who didn't offer to stir. 

"See here you!" Tom fairly roared it out, perfectly regardless ofpossible detection. "You beastly coward!" And he jumped in between Joeland his antagonist. "You may settle with me now if you like. "

"Stop, Tom. " Joel seized him from behind. Tom, in a fury, turned to seehis face working dreadfully, while the brown hands gripped him tightly. "I forgot--Mamsie wouldn't--like--you mustn't, Tom. If you do, I'llscream for John, " he declared suddenly. 

John, the watchman, being the last person whom any of Dr. Marks' boysdesired to see when engaged in a midnight prank, Beresford backed awayslowly from Jenkins, who was delighted once more at the interruption, and fastened his gaze on Joel. "Well, I never did, Pepper!" he broughthimself to say. 

"Tom, " said David brokenly, and getting over to him to seize his hand, "don't you know our Mamsie would feel dreadfully to see Joel doing anysuch thing? Oh, she would, Tom, " as Beresford continued to stare withouta word. 

"Not to such a miserable beggar. " Tom at last found his tongue, andpointed to Jenk. 

"Oh, yes, she would. It's just as bad in Joel, " said Davie, shaking hishead. Joel turned suddenly, took two or three steps, then flung himselfdown flat on his face on the pine needles. 

"Well, get up, " said Tom crossly, running over to him. "John will maybeget over here, we've made so much noise. Hurry up, Joe, we must all getback. "

Joel, thus adjured, especially as David got down on the ground, to puthis arms around the shaking shoulders, got up slowly. Then they turnedaround to look for Jenkins. He was nowhere to be seen. 

"Little coward!" exclaimed Tom between his teeth. "Well, we'll have toskin it as best we may back. _Here comes John!_"

They could see his lantern moving around among the trees; and dashingoff, taking the precaution to hug the shadow of the trees again, theysoon made the big door to the dormitory. Tom reached it first, andturned the knob. "It's locked, " he said. "The mean, beastly coward haslocked us out. "

III A NARROW ESCAPE

Joel, in such an emergency, wiped his black eyes and looked up sharply. David sank on the upper step. 

"Oh, no, Tom, " cried Joel, crowding in between Beresford and the door, "it can't be. Get out of the way; let me try. "

"It is--it is, I tell you, " howled Tom in what was more of a whine, ashe kept one eye out for John and his lantern. "The mean sneak has gotthe best of us, Joe. " He set his teeth hard together, and his faceturned white. 

Joe dropped the doorknob, and whirled off the steps. 

"Julius Cæsar! where are you going?" began Tom, as Joel disappearedaround the corner of the dormitory. 

"He's gone to see if John is coming, I suppose, " said Davie weakly. 

Tom, preferring to see for himself, skipped off, and disappeared aroundthe angle. "Oh--oh!" was what David heard next, making him fly from hisstep to follow in haste. 

What he saw was so much worse than all his fears as Tom gripped his armpointing up over his head, that he screamed right out, "Oh Joe, comeback, you'll be killed!"

"He can't come back, " said Tom hoarsely. "He'd much better go on. " Joel, more than halfway up the lightning conductor, was making good timeshinning along. He turned to say, "I'm all right, Dave, " as a windowabove them was thrown up, and a head in a white nightcap was thrust out. 

"It's all up with him now; there's old Fox, " groaned Tom, ducking softlyback over the grass. "Come on, Dave. "

But David, with clasped hands and white face, had no thought ofdeserting Joel. 

The person in the window, having the good sense to utter no exclamation, waited till Joel was up far enough for her to grasp his arm. Then shecouldn't help it as she saw his face. 

"_Joel Pepper!_"

"Yes'm, " said Joel, turning his chubby face toward her. "I knew I couldget up here; it's just as easy as anything. "

Mrs. Fox set her other hand to the task of helping him into the dimlylighted hall, much to Joel's disgust, as he would much have preferred toenter unassisted. Then she turned her cap-frills full on him, and saidin a tone of great displeasure, "What _is_ the meaning of all this?"

"Why, I had to go out, Mrs. Fox. "

"Why?"

"Oh--I--I--had to. "

She didn't ask him again, for the matron was a woman of action, and inall her dealings with boys had certain methods by which she brought themto time. So she only set her sharp eyes, that Dr. Marks' pupils alwayscalled "gimlets, " full upon him. "Go to your room, " was all she said. 

"Oh Mrs. Fox, " cried Joel, trying dreadfully to control himself, andtwisting his brown hands in the effort, "I--I--had to go. Really I did. "

"So you said before. _Go to your room. _" Then a second thought struckher. "Was any other boy with you?" she demanded suddenly. 

Joel gave a sharp cry of distress as he started down the hall, revolvingin his mind how he would steal down and unlock the door as soon as thematron had taken herself off. 

"Here, stop--come back here! Now answer me--yes or no--was any other boywith you?" as Joel stood before her again. 

Joel's stubby black curls dropped so that she couldn't see his face. Asthere was no reply forthcoming, Mrs. Fox took him by the arm. "Youneedn't go to your room, Joel, " she said sharply. "You may go toCoventry. "

"Oh Mrs. Fox, " Joel burst out, "don't--don't send me there. "

"A boy who cannot answer me, is fit only for Coventry, " said Mrs. Foxwith great dignity, despite the nightcap. "Wait here, Joel. I will getmy candle, and light you down. " She stepped off to a corner of the hall, where she had set the candlestick on a table, when startled by the noiseoutside. "Now we will go. "

It was impossible that all this confusion should not awake some of theboys in the hall; and by this time there was much turning on pillows, and leaning on elbows, and many scuttlings out of bed to listen at doorsopened a crack, so that nearly every one of the occupants, on thatparticular hall soon knew that "old Fox" had Joel Pepper in herclutches, and that he was being led off somewhere. 

And at last Joel let it out himself. "Oh Mrs. Fox--dear Mrs. Fox, _don't_ make me go to Coventry, " he roared. He clutched her wrapper, abig, flowered affair that she wore on such nocturnal rambles, and heldit fast. "I'll be just as good, " he implored. 

"Coventry is the place for you, Joel Pepper, " said Mrs. Fox grimly; "sowe will start. "

Meanwhile David, holding his breath till he saw, in the dim light thatalways streamed out from the dormitory hall where the gas was leftturned down at night, that Joel was safely drawn in to shelter, frantically rushed around to the big door, in the wild hope that somehowadmittance would be gained. "Joe will come by and by, " he said tohimself, sinking down on the steps. 

"We're done for, " said Tom's voice off in the distance. 

"Oh Tom, are you there?" cried Davie, straining his eyes to catch aglimpse. 

"Hush!" Tom poked his head out from a clump of shrubbery. "Don't youdare to breathe. I tell you, Dave, our only hope is in staying here tillmorning. "

"Oh dear me!" exclaimed David in dismay. 

"Oh dear me!" echoed Tom in derision. It was impossible for him to stoptalking, he was so keyed up. "It's paradise, I'm sure, compared to beingin old Fox's grip. "

This brought David back to Joel's plight, and he sighed dismally, andleant his head on his hands. How long he sat there he couldn't havetold. The first thing he did know, a big hand was laid on his shoulder, and a bright glare of light fell full on his face. 

"Oh my soul and body!" cried John, the watchman, bending over him, "ifhere ain't one of th' boys dead asleep on the doorsteps!"

"Little goose, to sit there!" groaned Tom, huddling back into hisbushes. "Now it's all up with him. Well, I'll save my skin, for I don'tbelieve those boys will tell on me. "

"Coventry" was a small square room in the extension, containing a bed, atable, and a chair, where the boys who were refractory were sent. It wasconsidered a great disgrace to be its inmate. They were not locked in;but no boy once put there was ever known to come out unless bidden bythe authorities. And no one, of course, could speak to them when theyemerged from it to go to recitations, for their lessons must be learnedin the silence of this room. Then back from the class-room the culpritmust go to this hated place, to stay as long as his misdemeanor mightseem to deserve. 

It was so much worse punishment than a flogging could possibly be, thatall Dr. Marks' boys heard "Coventry" with a chill that stopped many aprank in mid-air. 

But Joel didn't get into "Coventry" after all, for at the foot of thestairs, another candle-beam was advancing; and back of it was the thin, sharp face of Mr. Harrow, one of the under-teachers. 

"Oh Mr. Harrow, " screamed Joel, breaking away from the matron, to plungeup to him, "she's going to put me into Coventry. Oh, don't make me gothere; it will kill my Mamsie, and Polly. "

"Hey?" Mr. Harrow came to a sudden stop, and whirled the candlestickaround to get a better view of things. "What's this, Mrs. Fox? And _JoelPepper_, of all boys!"

"I know it, " said Mrs. Fox, her candlestick shaking in an unsteady hand. "Well, you see, sir, I was going upstairs to see if little Fosdick hadblankets enough; it's turned cold, and you know he's had a sore throat, and----"

"Well, come to the point, Mrs. Fox, " said the teacher, bringing her upquickly. Joel clung desperately to his hand, shaking violently in everylimb. 

"Oh, yes, sir--well, and I heard a noise outside, so I bethought me tolook, and there was this boy climbing up the lightning conductor. "

"Up the lightning conductor?" echoed Mr. Harrow. 

"Yes, sir, "--Mrs. Fox's cap-frills trembled violently as shenodded, --"Joel Pepper was climbing up the lightning conductor, sir. AndI thought I should have dropped to see him, sir. "

The under-teacher turned and surveyed Joel. "Well, I think, Mrs. Fox, "he said slowly, "if he's been over that lightning conductor to-night, wewon't put him in Coventry. "

"He wouldn't answer when I asked him if any other boys were there, " saidthe matron, a dull red spot coming on either cheek. 

"That's bad--very bad, " said Mr. Harrow. "Well, I'll take Joel under mycare. Do you go to bed, Mrs. Fox. "

It was all done in a minute. Somehow Mrs. Fox never quite realized howshe was left standing alone. And as there really wasn't anything elsefor her to do, she concluded to take the under-teacher's advice. 

"Now, Joel, "--Mr. Harrow looked down at his charge, --"you seem to beleft for me to take care of. Well, suppose you come into my room, andtell me something about this affair. "

Joel, with his heart full of distress about David and Tom, now that theimmediate cause of alarm over his being put into "Coventry" was gone, could scarcely conceal his dismay, as he followed Mr. Harrow to hisroom. He soon found himself on a chair; and the under-teacher, settinghis candlestick down, took an opposite one. 

"Do you mind telling me all about this little affair of yours, Joe?"said Mr. Harrow, leading off easily. His manner, once away from thepresence of the matron, was as different as possible; and Joel, who hadnever met him in just this way, stared in amazement. 

"You see, Joe, " the under-teacher went on, and he began to play withsome pencils on the table, "it isn't so very long ago, it seems to me, since I was a boy. And I climbed lightning conductors too. I really did, Joel. "

Joel's black eyes gathered a bright gleam in their midst. 

"Yes, and at night, too, " said the under-teacher softly, "though Ishouldn't want you to mention it to the boys. So now, if you wouldn'tmind, Joel, I should really like to hear all about this business ofyours. "

But Joel twisted his hands, only able to say, "Oh dear! I can't tell, Mr. Harrow. " His distress was dreadful to see. 

"Well, " said the under-teacher slowly, "perhaps in the morning you'llfeel better able to tell. I won't press it now. You must get to bed, Joe, " with a keen look at his face. 

"Oh Mr. Harrow--would you--would you--" Joel jumped out of his seat, andover to the under-teacher's chair. 

"Would I what?" asked Mr. Harrow in perplexity, wishing very much that"Mamsie, " whom he had seen on her visits to the school, were there atthat identical moment. 

"Would you--oh, might I unlock the--the back door?" gasped Joel, hisblack eyes very big with distress. 

"Unlock the back door?" repeated Mr. Harrow. Then he paused a moment. "Certainly; I'll go with you. " He got out of his chair. 

"Oh, no, sir, " cried Joel tumbling back, "I'll--I'll do it alone if Imay; please, sir. "

"Oh, no, Joel, that can't ever be allowed, " Mr. Harrow was sayingdecidedly, when steps were heard coming down the hall, and there wasJohn, the watchman, hauling David Pepper along the dimly lighted hall tothe extra gleam of the under-teacher's room. 

"I found this boy asleep on the steps, " announced John, coming in withhis charge. 

"Why, David Pepper!" exclaimed Mr. Harrow in astonishment. Then heturned a cold glance on Joel, who flew over to Davie's side. 

"Joel!" cried David convulsively, and blinking dreadfully as he cameinto the light. "Oh, I'm so glad you're safe--oh, so glad, Joey!" He hidhis face on Joel's arm, and sobbed. 

"You may go, John, " said the under-teacher to that individual, who keptsaying, "I found that boy asleep on the steps, " over and over, unable tostop himself. "And don't say anything about this to any one. I will takecare of the matter. "

"All right, sir, " said John, glad to be relieved of all responsibility, and touching his cap. "I found that boy asleep on the steps, " he addedas he took himself off. 

"Now, see here. " Mr. Harrow laid his hand on David's shoulder, ignoringJoel for the time, and drew him aside. "The whole of this business mustbe laid before me, David. So begin. "

"Oh Dave!" cried Joel, springing up to him. "Oh, sir--oh, Mr. Harrow, itwas all my fault, truly it was. David only came after me. Oh Mr. Harrow, don't make him tell. "

"You go and sit down in that chair, Joel, " said Mr. Harrow, pointing toit. So Joel went, and got on it, twisting miserably. 

"Now, then, David. "

"You see, " said David, the tears still rolling down his cheeks, "that--oh dear!--Joel was gone, and--"

"How did you know Joel was gone?" interrupted the under-teacher. 

"Oh dear!" David caught his breath. "Another boy told me, sir. "

"Who?"

David hesitated. "Must I tell, sir?" not trusting himself to look atJoel. 

"Certainly. "

"Tom Beresford. "

"Ugh!" Joel sprang from his chair. "He hadn't anything to do with it, sir. Tom has been awfully good. He only told Dave. "

"Go back to your chair, Joel, " said Mr. Harrow. "Now, then, David, goon. So you went out with Beresford to find Joel, eh?"

"Yes, sir, " said David faintly. 

"Any other boy?" asked the under-teacher quickly. 

"No, sir. "

"Well, then, Tom is waiting out there, I suppose, now. " Mr. Harrow gotout of his chair. 

"He didn't have anything to do with it, sir, " cried Joel wildly, andflying out of his chair again, "truly he didn't. "

"I understand. " Mr. Harrow nodded. "I'm going to bring him in. Now itisn't necessary to tell you two boys not to do any talking while I'mgone. " With that he went over to a corner, took down a lantern, lightedit, and passed out. 

When he came back, both Joel and David knew quite well by Tom's face, that the whole story was out; and Joel, who understood as well as anyone that Floyd Jenkins never by any possibility could be a favoritewith instructors, any more than with the boys, unless he changed hiswhole tactics, groaned again at thought that he had made matters worsefor him. 

"Now all three of you scatter to bed, " was all the under-teacher said ashe came in with Tom. "No talking now; get up as softly as you can. Goodnight. "

IV OF VARIOUS THINGS

And the next day, the story which flew all over the yard, how that JoelPepper was "put into Coventry" last night, was overtaken and set right. 

"Huh! there, now you see, " cried Van Whitney, coming out of his rage. Hehad cried so that his eyes were all swollen up, and he was a sight tobehold. Percy, too miserable to say anything, and wishing he could evercry when he felt badly, had slunk out of sight, to bear the trouble aswell as he might. Now he came up bright and smiling. "Yes, now you see, "he cried triumphantly. 

"Oh, I hope that mean beggar Jenk will be expelled. " There appeared tobe but one voice about it. 

"Well, he won't, " said Van. 

"Won't? Why not?" The boys crowded around him on the playground, allgames being deserted for this new excitement. "Why not, pray tell?"

"Of course he will, " said one boy decidedly. "Dr. Marks never'll keephim after this. "

"Yes he will too, " roared Van, glad he could tell the news first, butawfully disappointed that it must be that Jenkins was to stay, "for Joelgot Dr. Marks to promise there shouldn't anything be done to Jenk. Sothere now!"

"What, not after locking that door! That was the worst. " The boys, twoor three of them, took up the cry, "'Twas beastly mean. "

"Contemptible! Just like Jenk!" went all over the playground. 

"Well, he isn't to go, " repeated Van with a sigh; "and Joel says he wasas bad, because he went out at night to fight. "

"Why, he had to; Jenk dared him. And he couldn't have it out in thedormitory; you know he couldn't, Whitney, " said one of the boys insurprise. 

"Oh dear! I know, " said Van helplessly. "Well, Joel says it's no matterthat the racket was stolen out of his room, and--"

"No matter!" ejaculated the boys, a whole crowd of them swarming aroundhim, "well, if that isn't _monstrous_!"

"Oh, Joel's afraid that Dr. Marks will expel Jenk, " Percy, veryuncomfortable to have Joel blamed, made haste to say. "Don't you see?"

"Well, he ought to be turned out, " declared one boy decidedly. "Nevermind, we'll make it so hot for that Jenk, he'll want to go. "

"No, you mustn't, " declared Percy, now very much alarmed. "Oh, no, youmustn't, Hobbs; because, if you do, Joel won't like it. Oh, he'll be soangry! He won't like it a bit, I tell you, " he kept saying. 

The idea of Joel's not liking it, seemed to take all the fun out of thething; so Hobbs found himself saying, "Well, all right, I suppose we'vegot to put up with the fellow then. But you know yourself, Whitney, he'sa mean cad. "

There seemed to be but one opinion about that. But the fact remainedthat Jenkins was still to be one of them, to be treated as well as theycould manage. And for the next few days, Joel had awfully hard work tobe go-between for all the crowd, and the boy who had made it hard forhim. 

"You'll have to help me out, Tom, " he said more than once in despair. 

"Pretty hard lines, " said Tom. Then the color flew all over his face. "Isuppose I really ought, for you know, Pepper, I told you I wanted atfirst that you should lose your racket. "

"Never mind that now, Tom, " said Joel brightly, and sticking out hisbrown hand. "You've been awfully good ever since. "

"Had to, " grunted Tom, hanging to the hand, "when I saw how mean thebeggar was. "

"And but for you I should never have found the racket, at least not intime. " Joel shivered, remembering the close call he had had from losingthe game. 

Tom shivered too, but for a different cause. "If I hadn't told him, I'dalways have hated myself, " he thought. 

"Well, Joe, I wouldn't after this give away a racket. Now you see if youhadn't bestowed your old one on that ragamuffin in town, you wouldn'thave been in such a scrape. " Tom tried to turn it off lightly. 

"Oh, that made no difference, " Joel made haste to say, "'cause I couldhave borrowed another. But I'd got used to my new one. Besides, Grandpapa sent it to me to practise with for this game, and I reallycouldn't have done so well without it. "

"Yes, I know--I know, " said Tom remorsefully, "and that's what Jenkknew, too, the beggar!"

"Well, it's all over now, " said Joel merrily, "so say no more about it. "

But it wasn't all over with Jenkins; and he resolved within himself topay Joel Pepper up sometime, after the boys had forgotten a little aboutthis last exploit, if they ever did. 

And that afternoon Joel staid in, foregoing all the charms of a ballgame, to write Mamsie a complete account of the affair, making light ofthe other boys' part in it, and praising up Tom Beresford to the skies. "And oh, Mamsie, " Joel wrote over and over, "Dave didn't have anythingto do with it--truly he didn't. And Mr. Harrow is just bully, " hewrote, --then scratched it out although it mussed the letter updreadfully--"he's fine, he is! And oh, I like Dr. Marks, ever so much, Ido"--till Mrs. Fisher had a tolerably good idea of the whole thing. 

"I'm not sorry, Adoniram, " she said, after Dr. Fisher had read theletter at least twice, and then looked over his spectacles at herkeenly, "that I agreed with Mr. King that it was best that the boysshould go away to school. "

"Now any other woman, " exclaimed the little doctor admiringly, "wouldhave whimpered right out, and carried on dreadfully at the least sign oftrouble coming to her boy. "

"No, I'm not a bit sorry, " repeated Mrs. Fisher firmly, "for it's goingto be the making of Joel, to teach him to take care of himself. And I'dtrust him anywhere, " she added proudly. 

"So you may; so you may, my dear, " declared the little doctor gaily. "And I guess, if the truth were told, that Joel's part in this wholescrape hasn't been such a very bad one after all. "

Which came to be the general view when Dr. Marks' letter arrived, andone from the under-instructor followed, setting things in the rightlight. And although old Mr. King was for going off directly to interviewthe master, with several separate and distinct complaints andcriticisms, he was at last persuaded to give up the trip and let matterswork their course under the proper guidance at the school. 

"So, Polly, my child, " he said on the following day, when the letterswere all in, "I believe I'll trust Dr. Marks, after all, to settle theaffair. He seems a very good sort of a man, on the whole, and I reallysuppose he knows what to do with a lot of boys; though goodness me! howhe can, passes my comprehension. So I am not going. "

"Oh Grandpapa!" exclaimed Polly, the color flooding her cheek, and sheseized his hand in a glad little way. 

"Yes, I really see no necessity for going, " went on the old gentleman, much as if he were being urged out of his way to set forth; "so I shallstay at home. Joel can take care of himself. I'd trust him anywhere, " hebrought up, using the same words that Mother Fisher had employed. 

"Wouldn't you, Grandpapa!" cried Polly with sparkling eyes, and clingingto him. 

"Yes, Polly, my child, " said Grandpapa emphatically, "because, no matterinto what mischief Joe may get, he always owns up. Goodness me! Polly, that boy can't go very far wrong, with such a mother as you've got. "

Alexia Rhys, running through the wide hall, came upon the two. "Oh, begpardon, and may we girls have Polly?" all in the same breath. 

"Get away with you, " laughed old Mr. King, who had his own reasons forliking Alexia, "that's the way you always do, trying to get Polly Pepperaway when we are having a good talk. "

"Oh dear!" exclaimed Alexia, doing her best to curb her impatience, andpinching her hands together, "we did so want--"

"I can't go now, Alexia, " said Polly, still clinging to Mr. King's hand. 

Grandpapa sent a keen glance over into Alexia's face. "I think youbetter go, Polly, " he said. "You and I will have our talk later. "

"Oh goody!" cried Alexia, hopping up and down. And "Oh Grandpapa!"reproachfully from Polly. 

"Yes, Polly, it's best for you to go with the girls now, " said old Mr. King, gently relinquishing her hands, "so run along with you, child. "And he went into the library. 

"Come right along, " cried Alexia gustily, and pulling Polly down thehall. 

"There now, you see, you've dragged me away from Grandpapa, " cried Pollyin a vexed way. 

"Well, he said you were to go, " cried Alexia, perfectly delighted at theresult. "Oh, we're to have such fun! You can't think, Polly Pepper. "

"Of course he did, when you said the girls wanted me, " said Polly, halfdetermined, even then, to run back. "I'd much rather have staid withhim, Alexia. "

"Well, you can't, because he said you were to come; and besides, hereare the girls. " And there they were on the back porch, six or eight ofthem in a group. 

"Oh Polly, Polly!" they cried, "are you coming--can you really go?"swarming around her. "And do get your hat on, " said Clem Forsythe "andhurry up. "

"Where are you going?" asked Polly. 

"The idea! Alexia Rhys, you are a great one to send after her, " criedSally Moore. "Not even to tell her where we are going, or what we wanther for!"

"Well, I got her here, and that is half of the battle, " said Alexia, inan injured way; "and my goodness me! Polly won't hardly speak to me now;and you may go yourself after her next time, Sally Moore. "

"There, girls, don't fight, " said Clem sweetly. "Polly, we are going outto Silvia Horne's. Mrs. Horne has just telephoned to see if we'll comeout to supper. Come, hurry up; we want to catch the next car. She saysshe'll send somebody home with us. "

"Yes, yes, do hurry, " begged the girls, hopping up and down on anxiousfeet. 

"I must ask Mamsie, " said Polly. "Oh, how perfectly splendid!" runningoff with a glad remembrance of lessons all ready for the next day. "Nowhow nice it is that Mamsie always made me get them the first thing, " shereflected as she sped along. 

Mamsie said "yes, " for she well knew that Mrs. Horne was a carefulperson, and when she promised anything it was always well done. "Butbrush your hair, Polly, " she said, "it looks very untidy flying all overyour head. "

So Polly rushed off to her own room; Alexia, who didn't dare to trusther out of her sight, at her heels, to get in the way, and hinderdreadfully by teasing Polly every minute to "hurry--we'll lose thetrain. "

"Where are you going, Polly?" asked Phronsie, hearing Alexia's voice;and laying down her doll, she went into the blue and white room that wasPolly's very own. "Oh, may I go too?" as Polly ran to the closet to getout her second-best hat. 

"Oh dear me!" began Alexia. 

"No, Pet, " said Polly, her head in the closet. "Oh my goodness! where_is_ that hat?"

"Oh dear!" exclaimed Alexia, wringing her hands, "we'll be late andmiss the train. Do hurry, Polly Pepper. "

"I'll find it, Polly, " said Phronsie, going to the closet and gettingdown on her knees, to peer around. 

"Oh, it wouldn't be on the floor, Phronsie, " began Polly. "Oh dear me!where _can_ it be?"

"Here it is, " cried Alexia, "behind the bed. " And running off, shepicked it up, and swung it over to Polly. 

"Goodness me!" said Polly with a little laugh, "I remember now, I tossedit on the bed, I thought. Well, I'm ready now, thank fortune, " pinningon her hat. "Good-bye, Pet. "

"I am so very glad it is found, Polly, " said Phronsie, getting up ontiptoe to pull Polly's hat straight and get another kiss. 

"Come on, Polly, " called Alexia, flying over the stairs. "Yes, yes, girls, she's coming! Oh dear me, Polly, we'll be late!"

V AT SILVIA HORNE'S

But they weren't--not a bit of it--and had ten minutes to spare as theycame rushing up to the station platform. 

"Oh, look--look, girls. " Polly Pepper pointed up to the clock, pushingback the damp rings of hair from her forehead. "Oh dear me--I'm so hot!"

"And so am I, " panted the other girls, dashing up. One of them sank downon the upper step, and fanned herself in angry little puffs with herhat, which she twitched off for that purpose. 

"Just like you, Alexia, " cried one when she could get her breath, "you're always scaring us to death. "

"Well, I'm sure I was scared myself, Clem, " retorted Alexia, proppingherself against the wall. "Oh dear! I can't breathe; I guess I'm goingto die--whew, whew!"

As Alexia made this statement quite often on similar occasions, thegirls heard it with the air of an old acquaintance, and straightenedtheir coats and hats, and pulled themselves into shape generally. 

"Oh my goodness, how you look, Sally! Your hat is all over your lefteye. " Alexia deserted her wall, and ran over to pull it straight. 

"You let me be, " cried Sally crossly, and twitching away. "If it hadn'tbeen for you, my hat would have staid where I put it. I'll fix itmyself. " She pulled out the long pin. 

"Oh dear me! now the head has come off, " she mourned. 

"Oh my goodness! Your face looks the worst--isn't it sweet!" criedAlexia coolly, who hadn't heard this last. 

"Don't, Alexia, " cried Polly, "she's lost her pin. "

"Misery!" exclaimed Alexia, starting forward, "oh, where, where--"

"It isn't the pin, " said Sally, holding that out, "but the head hasflown off. " She jumped off from the step and began to peer anxiouslyaround in the dirt, all the girls crowding around and getting dreadfullyin the way. 

"What pin was it, Sally?" asked Polly, poking into a tuft of grassbeneath the steps, "your blue one?"

"No; it was my best one--oh dear me!" Sally looked ready to cry, andturned away so that the girls couldn't see her face. 

"Not the one your aunt gave you, Sally!" exclaimed Clem. 

"Yes--yes. " Sally sniffed outright now. "Oh dear! I put it inbecause--because--we were going to Silvia's--oh dear me!"

She gave up now, and sobbed outright. 

"Don't cry, Sally, " begged Polly, deserting her grass-tuft, to run overto her. "We'll find it. " Alexia was alternately picking frantically inall the dust-heaps, and wringing her hands, one eye on the clock all thewhile. 

"Oh, no, you won't, " whimpered Sally. "It flew right out of my hand, andit's gone way off--I know it has--oh dear!" and she sobbed worse thanever. 

"Perhaps one of those old hens will pick it up, " suggested Lucy Bennett, pointing across the way to the station master's garden, where four orfive fowl were busily scratching. 

"Oh--oh!" Sally gave a little scream at that, and threw herself intoPolly Pepper's arms. "My aunt's pin--and she told me--to be careful, and she won't--won't ever give me anything else, and now those old henswill eat it. Oh _dear_ me! what shall I do?"

"How can you, Lucy, say such perfectly dreadful things?" cried Polly. "Don't cry, Sally. Girls, do keep on looking for it as hard as you can. Sally, do stop. "

But Sally was beyond stopping. "She told--told me only to wear itSundays, and with my best--best dress. Oh, do give me your handkerchief, Polly. I've left mine home. "

So Polly pulled out her clean handkerchief from her coat pocket, andSally wiped up her face, and cried all over it, till it was a damplittle wad; and the girls poked around, and searched frantically, andAlexia, one eye on the clock, exclaimed, "Oh, girls, it's time for thetrain. Oh misery me! what _shall_ we do?"

"And here it comes!" Lucy Bennett screamed. 

"Stick on your hat, Sally, you've the pin part. Come, hurry up!" criedthe others. And they all huddled around her. 

"Oh, I can't go, " began Sally. 

"You must, " said Clem; "we've telephoned back to Mrs. Horne we'recoming. Do stick on your hat, Sally Moore. "

Alexia was spinning around, saying over and over to herself, "I won'tstay back--I won't. " Then, as the train slowly rounded the long curveand the passengers emerged from the waiting-room, she rushed up to theknot of girls. "Go along, Sally Moore, and I'll stay and hunt for yourold pin, " just as some one twitched Sally's hat from her fingers andclapped it on her head. 

"Oh my goodness me!" Alexia gave a little scream, and nearly fellbackward. "Look--it's on your own head! Oh, girls, I shall die. " Shepointed tragically up to the hat, then gave a sudden nip with her longfingers, and brought out of a knot of ribbon, a gilt, twisted affairwith pink stones. "You had it all the time, Sally Moore, " and she wentinto peals of laughter. 

"Well, do stop; everybody's looking, " cried the rest of the girls, asthey raced off to the train, now at a dead stop. Sally, with her hatcrammed on her head at a worse angle than ever, only realized that shehad the ornament safely clutched in her hand. 

"Oh, I can't help it, " exclaimed Alexia gustily, and hurrying off to getnext to Polly. "Oh dear me!--whee--_whee_!" as they all plunged into thetrain. 

When they arrived at Edgewood, there was a carriage and a wagonettedrawn up by the little station, and out of the first jumped Silvia, andfollowing her, a tall, thin girl who seemed to have a good manybracelets and jingling things. 

"My cousin, Kathleen Briggs. She just came to-day, " said Silvia, "whileI was at school, and so mother thought it would be nice to have yougirls out to supper, 'cause they're only going to stay till to-morrow. Oh, it's so fine that you've come! Well, come and get in. Polly, you'regoing in the carriage with Kathleen and me. Come on. "

Alexia crowded up close behind. 

"I'm going with Polly Pepper, this time, " announced Sally, pushing inbetween; "Alexia always gets her. "

"Well, she's my very dearest friend, " said Alexia coolly, and workingher long figure up close to Polly, as Silvia led her off, "so of courseI always must go with her. "

"Well, so she is our very dearest friend, too, Alexia Rhys, " declaredClem, "and we're going to have her sometimes, ourselves. " And there theywere in a dreadful state, and Silvia's cousin, the new girl, to see itall!

She jingled her bracelets, and picked at the long chain dangling fromher neck, and stared at them all. 

"Oh my goodness!" exclaimed Polly Pepper with very red cheeks. "Alexia, don't--don't, " she begged. 

"Well, I don't care, " said Alexia recklessly, "the girls are alwayspicking at me because I will keep next to you, Polly, and you're my verydearest friend, and----"

"But Sally had such a fright about her pin, " said Polly in a low tone. Alexia was crowded up close and hugging her arm, so no one else heard. 

"Well, that old pin dropped in the ribbon; she had it herself all thetime, oh dear!" Alexia nearly went off again at the remembrance. 

"She felt badly, all the same, " said Polly slowly. She didn't evensmile, and Alexia could feel that the arm was slipping away from her. 

"Oh dear me!" she began, then she dropped Polly Pepper's arm. "Sally, you may go next, " she cried suddenly, and she skipped back into thebunch of the other girls. 

Polly sent her an approving little nod, and she didn't fail to smilenow. Alexia ran over to the wagonette, and hopped in, not daring totrust herself to see Sally Moore's satisfaction ahead in the covetedseat. 

The other girls jumping in, the wagonette was soon filled, and away theyspun for the two miles over to the Hornes' beautiful place. And beforelong, their respects having been paid to Mrs. Horne, the whole bevy wasup in Silvia's pretty pink and white room overlooking the lake. 

"I think it's just too lovely for anything here, Silvia Horne, "exclaimed Sally, whose spirits were quite recovered now. She had heraunt's pin all safe, and she had ridden up next to Polly. "Oh girls, shehas a new pincushion and cover. "

"Yes, a whole new set, " said Silvia carelessly, as the girls rushed overfrom the bed where they were laying their things, to see this newacquisition to the beautiful room. 

"Well, if I could have such perfectly exquisite things, " breathed Alexiaas they all oh-ed and ah-ed over the pink ribbons and dainty lace, "I'dbe the very happiest girl. "

Kathleen Briggs thrust her long figure in among the bevy. "That toiletset is very pretty, " she said indifferently and with quite a young-ladyair. 

"Very pretty!" repeated Alexia, turning her pale eyes upon her inastonishment, "well, I should think it was! It's too perfectly elegantfor anything!"

"Oh dear me!" Kathleen gave a little laugh. "It's just nothing to theone I have on my toilet table at home. Besides, I shall bring home someOriental lace, and have a new one: I'm going around the world to-morrow, you know. "

"Oh my goodness!" exclaimed Alexia faintly. And the other girls fellback, and stared respectfully. 

"Yes, " said Kathleen, delighted at the effect she had produced. "Westart to-morrow, and we don't know how long we shall be gone. Perhapstwo years. Papa says he'll stay if we want to; but mamma and I may gettired and come home. " She jingled her bracelets worse than ever. 

"They've come to bid us good-bye, you see, " said Silvia, to break theuncomfortable silence. 

"Oh yes, " said Polly Pepper. 

"Well, if you've got your things off, let's go out of doors, " proposedSilvia suddenly. 

"Yes, do let's. " The girls drew a long breath as they raced off. 

"I think that Kathleen Briggs is too perfectly horrid foranything"--Alexia got up close to Polly as they flew down thestairs--"with her going round the world, and her sniffing at Silvia'stoilet set. "

"Hush--hush!" whispered Polly, "she'll hear you. "

"Well, I don't care; and she's going round the world to-morrow, so whatdoes it signify?" said Alexia. "Oh, don't go so fast, Polly. You mostmade me tumble on my nose. "

"Well, you mustn't come with me, then, if you don't keep up, " saidPolly, with a merry little laugh, and hurrying on. 

"I'm going to keep up, " cried Alexia, dashing after, "but you go sofast, " she grumbled. 

"We're going to have tea out on the lawn, " announced Silvia insatisfaction, as the bevy rushed out on the broad west piazza. 

The maids were already busily setting three little tables, that weregrowing quite pretty under their hands. 

"There will be four at each table, " said Silvia. "Polly's going to sitwith Kathleen and me, and one other girl--I don't know which one yet, "she said slowly. 

"Oh, choose me. " Alexia worked her way along eagerly to the front. "I'mher dearest friend--Polly's, I mean. So you ought to choose me. "

"Well, I sha'n't, " declared Silvia. "You crowded me awfully at LucyBennett's party, and kept close to Polly Pepper all the time. "

"Well, that's because you would keep Polly yourself. You crowded andpushed horribly yourself, you know you did. " Her long face was quite rednow. 

"Well, I had to, " declared Silvia coolly. "At any rate, you sha'n't havePolly to-day, for I've quite decided. Clem, you shall have the otherseat at my table. "

Clem hopped up and down and beat her hands together in glee. "There, Alexia Rhys!" she cried in triumph. "Who's got Polly Pepper now, I'dlike to know!"

Alexia, much discomfited, fell back. "Well, I think that's a great wayto give a party, " she said, "to get up a fight the first thing. "

But Silvia and Kathleen had got Polly Pepper one on each side, and werenow racing down to the lake. "We're going to have a sail, " called Silviaover her shoulder, so they all followed, Alexia among the rest, with notime for anything else. There was the steam launch waiting for them. 

"Girls--girls!" Mrs. Horne called to them from the library, "wait amoment. Mr. And Mrs. Briggs are going too. "

"Oh bother!" began Silvia. Then the color flew into her face, forKathleen heard. 

"I shall tell my mother what you said, " she declared. 

"Dear me! no, you mustn't, " begged Silvia in alarm. 

"Yes, I shall too. " Kathleen's bracelets jingled worse than ever as sheshook them out. 

"Well, I call that real hateful, " broke out Silvia, a red spot on eithercheek, "you know I didn't mean it. "

"Well, you said it. And if you think it's a bother to take my mother andfather out on your old launch, I sha'n't stop here and bring youanything when I come home from around the world. "

Silvia trembled. She very much wanted something from around the world. So she put her arm about Kathleen. "Oh, make up now, " she said. "They'recoming, " as Mr. And Mrs. Briggs advanced down the path. "Promise youwon't tell, " she begged. 

"Yes, do, " said Polly Pepper imploringly. 

So Kathleen promised, and everything became quite serene, just in timefor Mr. And Mrs. Briggs to have the girls presented to them. And thenthey all jumped into the steam launch, and the men sent her into thelake, and everything was as merry as could be under the circumstances. 

"I haven't got to go to school to-morrow, " announced Silvia when theywere well off. "Isn't that too fine for anything, girls?"

"Dear me! I should say so, " cried Alexia enviously. "How I wish I couldever stay home! But aunt is so very dreadful, she makes me go everysingle day. "

"Well, I'm going to stay home to bid Kathleen good-bye, you know, " saidSilvia. 

"You see we are going around the world, " announced Mrs. Briggs. She wasjust like Kathleen as far as mother and daughter could be, and she hadmore jingling things on, besides a long lace scarf that was catching ineverything; and she carried a white, fluffy parasol in her hand. "Andwe've come to bid good-bye to our relatives before we start. Kathleen, you shouldn't have come out on the water without your hat, " for thefirst time noticing her daughter's bare head. 

"None of the girls have hats on, " said Kathleen, shaking her long lightbraids. 

"Well, I don't see how their mothers can allow it, " exclaimed Mrs. Briggs, glancing around on the group, "but I sha'n't let you, Kathleen. Dear me! you will ruin your skin. Now you must come under my parasol. "She moved up on the seat. "Here, come over here. "

"Oh, I'm not going to, " cried Kathleen with a grimace. "I can't seeanything under that old thing. Besides, I'm going to stay with thegirls. "

"Yes, you must come under my parasol. " A frown of real anxiety settledon her mother's face. "You'll thank me by and by for saving yourcomplexion for you, Kathleen; so come over. "

"No, " said Kathleen, hanging back, and holding to Silvia's arm. 

"There's your veil, you know. " Mr. Briggs hadn't spoken before, but nowhe edged up to his wife. "It's in my pocket. "

"So it is, " cried his wife joyfully, as Mr. Briggs pulled out a longgreen tissue veil. "I am so glad I had you bring it. Now, Kathleen, tiethis all over your head; your father will bring it over to you. And nexttime, do obey me, and wear your hat as I've always told you. "

So Kathleen, not daring to hold back from this command, but grumbling atevery bit of the process, tied on the veil, and then sat up very crossand stiff through the rest of the sail. 

"I should rather never go around the world, if I'd got to be tied uplike an old green mummy every step, " Alexia managed to whisper inPolly's ear as they hopped out of the launch. And she was very sweet toKathleen after that, pitying her dreadfully. 

VI THE ACCIDENT

"Oh dear me!" exclaimed Clem. They were all on the cars--the earlytrain--going home; the governess, a middle-aged person who looked afterthe younger Horne children and who was going in to her sister's to passthe night, taking care of the party. "Now I've got to sit up till allhours when I get home, to get my lessons. "

Polly Pepper gave a comfortable little wriggle under her coat. "Isn't itnice Mamsie makes me get my lessons the first thing, before I play!" shesaid to herself for about the fiftieth time. 

"So have I, " cried Lucy Bennett, echoing Clem's words. 

"Well, I can't, " cried Alexia with a flounce, "because my aunt won't letme sit up after nine o'clock; that is, to study. So I have to get upearly in the morning. Oh dear!" with a grimace at the thought. 

"So do I, " said Amy Garrett. "Dear me! and I'm just as sleepy in themorning as I can be. "

Alexia yawned at the very memory of it. "Well, don't let's talk of it, "she begged. "Seems as if Miss Salisbury's eyes were all over me now. "

"I have Miss Anstice to-morrow, " said Amy, "and it's the day for herblack silk gown. "

"Horrors!" exclaimed Alexia; and, "How do you know she'll wear the blacksilk gown to-morrow, Amy?" from the other girls. 

"Because she said Professor Mills from the Institute is to be thereto-morrow, " said Amy. "He gives the art lecture to our class. And youknow the black silk gown will surely go on. "

"There's no help for you, you poor child, " cried Alexia, exulting thatshe never would be gathered into Miss Anstice's class, and that she justhated art and all that sort of thing, despite the efforts of MissSalisbury's younger sister to get her interested. "Yes, that black silkgown will surely be there. Look out now, Amy; all you girls will catchit. "

"Oh, I know it, " said Amy with a sigh. "How I do wish I never'd got intothat class!"

"Well, you know I told you, " said Alexia provokingly; "you'd muchbetter have taken my advice and kept out of her clutches. "

"I wish I had, " mourned Amy again. 

"How Miss Anstice can be so horrid--she isn't a bit like MissSalisbury, " said Alexia. "I don't see--"

"She isn't horrid, " began Polly. 

"Oh Polly!"

"Well, not always, " said Polly. 

"Well, she is anyway when she has company, and gets on that black silkgown; just as stiff and cross and perky and horrid as can be. "

"She wants you all to show off good, " said Alexia. "Well, I'm gladenough I'm not in any of her old classes. I just dote on MissSalisbury. "

"Oh Alexia, you worry the life out of her almost, " said Sally. 

"Can't help it if I do, " said Alexia sweetly. "I'm very fond of her. Andas for Mademoiselle, she's a dear. Oh, I love Mademoiselle, too. "

"Well, she doesn't love you, " cried Clem viciously. "Dear me! fancy oneof the teachers being fond of Alexia!"

"Oh, you needn't laugh, " said Alexia composedly as the girls giggled;"every single one of those teachers would feel dreadfully if I left thatschool. They would really, and cry their eyes out. "

"And tear their hair, I suppose, " said Clem scornfully. 

"Yes, and tear their--why, what in this world are we stopping for?"cried Alexia in one breath. 

So everybody else wondered, as the train gradually slackened speed andcame to a standstill. Everybody who was going in to town to the theatreor opera, began to look impatient at once. 

"Oh dear!" cried the girls who were going to sit up to study, "now isn'tthis just as hateful as it can be?"

"I don't care, " said Alexia, settling comfortably back, "because I can'tstudy much anyway, so I'd just as soon sit on this old train an hour. "

"Oh Alexia!" exclaimed Polly in dismay, with her heart full at thethought of Mamsie's distress, and that of dear Grandpapa and Jasper. Phronsie would be abed anyway by the time the early train was in, so shecouldn't worry. But all the others--"Oh dear me!" she gasped. 

"Don't look so, Polly, " said Alexia, "we'll start pretty soon, Iguess. "

The governess, Miss Baker, came over from the opposite seat to stand inthe aisle. "I think we'll start soon, " she said. But her eyes lookedworried. 

"What is it--oh, Miss Baker, what is the reason we're stopping?" criedtwo or three of the girls. 

"I don't know, " said the governess. 

A man coming in from outside, where a lot of gentlemen were pouring outof the cars to investigate, furnished the information. 

"Driving wheel broken, " he said, being sparing of words. 

"Oh, can't we go out to see?" cried Alexia, hopping out of her seat. "Come on, " and she was prancing down the aisle. 

"No, indeed, " said Miss Baker in displeasure, "and do you come directlyback, " she commanded. 

"Oh dear me!" grumbled Alexia to Sally, who had tumbled out after her, "she's worse than Miss Anstice--stiff, precise old thing!" She cameslowly back. 

"That a young lady under my care, " said Miss Baker, lifting her blackgloves in amazement, "should so far forget herself as to want to runout on that track with a lot of men! I _am_ astonished. "

"There's a girl out there, " said Alexia, sinking into her seat crossly, and peering over Polly Pepper's head. 

"And there's another, " proclaimed Sally triumphantly. 

"Well, if they've forgotten themselves so far as to go out there undersuch circumstances, I shall not let any young lady in my care do it, "said Miss Baker emphatically. 

So, swallowing their disappointment at not being allowed to see all thatpresented itself, the girls settled back and made themselves ascomfortable as possible. Meantime almost everybody else poured out oftheir car. But it seemed to Polly Pepper as if she never could keepstill in all this world. And she clasped her hands tightly together andhoped nobody would speak to her just yet. 

"Polly, "--Alexia gave a little push, as she leaned over, --"isn't itperfectly dreadful to be mewed up here in this way? Say, Polly, dotalk. "

"Go right away, Alexia. " Polly gave a little flounce, and sat quitestraight. 

"Oh dear me!" exclaimed Alexia in astonishment, and falling back. 

"And I wish you would let me alone, " cried Polly, quite aghast atherself, but unable to stop. 

"Oh dear me!" Alexia kept saying quite faintly, and rolling her eyes. 

"Well, I'm glad Polly has made you behave for once, " said Clem, whonever could forgive Alexia for getting Polly so much to herself. 

Alexia stopped saying, "Oh dear me!" and sat quite still. Just thenPolly turned and saw her face. 

"Oh Alexia!" she cried, flying at her, when an awful bump, and thenanother much worse, and then a grinding noise, perfectly terrible, --andeverybody who was left in the car, went tumbling out of their seats. 

"Oh, we're run into!" screamed half a dozen of the girls. Miss Baker, who had been standing in the aisle, was down in a heap on the floor. 

"Oh, oh!" Polly had her arms around Alexia and was hugging her tightly. "Are you hurt?" as they wriggled out of the bunch of girls into whichthey had been precipitated, up to their feet. 

"N--no, " Alexia, tried to say. Instead, she wobbled over, and laid herhead on Polly's arm. 

"Girls--girls--Miss Baker!" called Polly, not seeing that lady, in theconfusion of the other passengers, staggering along the aisle, herbonnet knocked over her eyes, and a girl on either hand to help heralong. "Clem--oh, somebody help me! Alexia is hurt. " But nobody heard inthe general tumult. 

"Oh dear! Alexia, do open your eyes, " begged Polly, quite gone now withdistress. "And to think I was so cross to her!" And she turned quitewhite. 

"Dear, dear Alexia, " she cried; and because there was nothing else todo, she leaned over and dropped a kiss on Alexia's long face, and twotears dropped down as well. 

Alexia opened her eyes. "That's very nice, Polly, " she said, "do so somemore. "

"Aren't you ashamed!" cried Polly, the rosy color coming back to hercheek. And then, remembering, she hugged Alexia tightly. "Oh, I'm soglad you're not hurt, Alexia, so very glad!" she cried gratefully. 

"Ow!" exclaimed Alexia, shrinking back. 

"Oh, now you are hurt, " cried Polly. "Oh Alexia!" And she turned verywhite again. "Tell me where it is. " And just then some of the girlsrushed up with the news, corroborated by the other passengers, that thedown express had run into them, --been signalled, but couldn't stop intime, etc. , etc. , --till Polly thought she should go wild before thebabel could be stopped. "Don't crowd around so, " she cried hoarsely. "Alexia is hurt. "

"Alexia?" The noise, as far as Miss Salisbury's girls were concerned, stopped at once; and at last the other passengers were made tounderstand how it was. And Alexia, quite faint now, but having senseenough to hang to Polly Pepper's hand, was laid across an improvised bedmade of two seats, and a doctor who happened to be on the train, one ofthe party going in to the theatre, came up, and looked her overprofessionally. 

"It's my arm, " said Alexia, opening her eyes again; "it was doubled upsomeway under me. Oh dear me! I'm so silly to faint. "

"You're not silly at all, " cried Polly warmly, and holding her wellhand, while her eyes searched the doctor's face anxiously. "Oh, is itbroken?" they asked, as plainly as possible. 

"Not a bit of it, " said the doctor cheerfully, feeling it all over againto make quite sure, while Alexia set her teeth together, trying not toshow how very much it hurt. "It's badly strained, --the ligamentsare;--but fortunately no bones are broken. "

"Oh dear!" groaned Alexia. "Now why can't it be broken?"

"Oh Alexia!" cried Polly. And now the tears that had been kept back, were rolling down her cheeks. "I'm so happy, I can't help it, " she said. 

"And the very idea, Alexia Rhys, " exclaimed Clem, "to wish your arm hadbeen broken!" and she gave a little shiver. 

"It hurts just as much, " said Alexia, trying to sit up straight, andmaking an awful face, "so it might as well be. And I've never been in arailroad accident. But a sprained arm isn't anything to show; any babycan have that--oh dear me!"

"Well, you better lie still, " counselled Miss Baker tartly. "Dear me! Ilittle thought when I took charge of you young ladies that any suchthing would occur. "

"She acts as if she thought we did it on purpose, " said Alexia, turningher face over to hide it on Polly's arm again, and wishing her ownneedn't ache so dreadfully. "Oh dear! such a time as we've had, PollyPepper, with those dreadful Briggses, --I mean Mrs. Briggs, --and now tobe all banged up, and this cross old thing to see us home! And now Inever'll be able to get through the term, 'cause I'll have to stay athome with this old arm, and aunt will scold. " She was quite out ofbreath with all her woes. 

"Oh, yes, you will, " cried Polly reassuringly, "I'll run over every day, and study with you, Alexia. And you'll soon be all well again. Don't tryto talk now, dear, " and she patted the poor cheeks, and smoothed herhair. All the while she was trying to keep down the worry over thehome-circle who would be thrown into the greatest distress, she knew, ifnews of the accident should reach their ears. 

"Can't somebody telephone them?" she cried; "Oh, Miss Baker"--the doctorhad rushed off to other possible sufferers--"and tell them no one ishurt;--I mean seriously?"

"There is, " said the governess, quite calmly; "a man has been killed. "

"Oh dear!"

"A brakeman, " Miss Baker hastened to add. "Don't be frightened. None ofthe passengers. "

"Now I know he was brave, and trying to do something to save us, " criedPolly, with kindling eyes. 

"Yes, " said a passenger, coming up to their group, "he was running backwith a lantern to signal the train, and he slipped and fell, and theexpress went over him. But it stopped just in time for us. "

"Oh the poor, poor man!" Polly was quite gone by this time, and Alexiaforgot her pain in trying to comfort her. 

"But suppose he had children, " cried Polly, "just suppose it, Alexia. "

"I don't want to suppose it, " said Alexia, wriggling. "Ugh! you do saysuch uncomfortable things, Polly Pepper. "

"I know it. " Polly swallowed hard, and held Alexia's hand tighter thanever. "Well, I won't talk of it any more. "

The governess, who had moved away a bit, now came back with vexationplainly written all over her face. "I must go and see if there isn'tsome way to get a message to Grandpapa King, Alexia, " said Polly. "I'llbe back as soon as I can. " She dropped a kiss on the nearest cheek. 

"Don't be gone long, " begged Alexia. 

"I will go with you, " said the governess, stepping off after her. 

"Very well, " said Polly, going swiftly down the aisle, to see below thecar steps a crowd of passengers all in a tumult, and vociferatingangrily. In the midst of them, Polly saw the face of the doctor who hadjust fixed Alexia's arm. 

"Oh sir, " she began. 

He looked up, and caught sight of the brown eyes. "Is the little girlworse?" And he sprang over toward her. 

Polly, not stopping to think how furious Alexia would be, who was quitethe tallest of their set, to be designated as a little girl, made hasteto say, "Oh no, sir; but oh, could you tell me how to let my grandpapaand my mother know we are safe? Could you, sir?" Poor Polly, who hadheld up so bravely, was clasping her hands tightly together, and thebrown eyes were full of tears. 

"Well, you see, " began the doctor, hating to disappoint her, "it's adifficult matter to get in communication with them at once. We are onlyfive miles out, but--"

"Five miles?" echoed Polly. "Oh then, some one can go to the neareststation, and telephone, can't they, sir?"

"To be sure; and that's been done. But your family, little girl--how canwe reach them?"

"Oh, I can run, " cried Polly happily, "to the station myself, sir, " andshe began to clamber down the car steps. 

"Come back, " commanded the governess, lifting her hands in horror. "Inever heard of such a thing. The very idea! What would your grandfather, Mr. King, say to such a thing, Polly Pepper?"

"Mr. Who?" cried the doctor. "Stay, little girl, " seizing her arm. "Mr. Who?" he demanded, looking up to the governess on the car steps. 

"Mr. Horatio King, " she replied with asperity, "and you'd better beoccupied with something else, let me tell you, sir, instead ofencouraging his granddaughter to run off on such a wild-goose errand asthis. "

"I certainly shall take pleasure in performing the wild-goose errandmyself, " he said. "Now Polly, I'll send the message; don't you worry, "and he sped off down the track. 

VII THE SALISBURY GIRLS

And then somebody rushed in, saying, "We've another locomotive; nowwe're going!" And everybody else who was outside hurried into the cars;the new propelling power was attached to the other end of the train, andafter a deal of switching, there they were at last--off on the way home!

Polly gave a long breath of relief, and clasped Alexia's hand closely. "Oh, by this time they know at home it's all right, " she cried. 

The doctor came smilingly down the aisle. "Well, " he nodded to Polly. "Yes, it's all right, " he said. "I must really call you Polly Peppernow, for I know your grandfather, and Dr. Fisher--well there! indeed Iknow him. "

"Do you?" cried Polly with blooming cheeks, well pleased to find afriend at such a time. 

"Yes, indeed. I'm fortunate enough to meet him in hospital work. Nowthen, how is our little friend here?" He leaned over, and touchedAlexia's arm lightly. 

"Oh, I'm all right, " she said. 

"That's good, " in a gratified tone. "Now keep plucky, and you'll get outof this finely. " Then he sat down on the arm of the seat, and told sucha funny story that no one supposed it could be the home station when thetrain came to a standstill, and he was helping Alexia out. 

"There now--drop Polly's hand, if you please, " the doctor was saying;"I'll assist you. "

"But I don't want to, " said Alexia, hanging to it for dear life. "I wantPolly. "

"I presume so, " laughed the doctor, "but I think it's best for me tohelp you. " Miss Baker and all the girls crowded up in a bunch. "Easythere, " he said. "Don't hurry so; there's plenty of time. " And he gotbetween them and Alexia's lame arm. 

And there, down by the car steps--Polly could see him as he waited forthe stream of passengers to get out--was Jasper, his eyes eagerlysearching every face, with an impatience scarcely to be controlled. Andback of him were Dr. Fisher's big glasses, shining as the little doctorpranced back and forth, unable to keep still. 

"There they are--there they are!" Polly exclaimed. "Oh, if we couldhurry and let them know we're all right!" But they were wedged in so, there was nothing to do but to take their turn and let the passengers infront descend. 

"Jasper--oh, Papa Fisher!" At last Polly was out on the platform whereshe stood on her tiptoes and waved her hand. 

"Are you all right?" asked Jasper eagerly, craning his neck to see forhimself. 

"Yes--yes!" cried Polly. And then presently they had her on either hand!"Oh, help Alexia, " she cried, turning back. 

Dr. Fisher took one look through his big glasses. "Well, well, Pennell, "he exclaimed, "you here?" and he skipped over to them. 

"I really believe so, " laughed Dr. Pennell. 

"Dear me!" Little Dr. Fisher glanced at Alexia quickly. 

"Nothing but sprained, " the other doctor said quickly. "Still, it needscareful attention. "

And then it came out that Alexia's aunt had heard a chance word droppedabout the accident, and had run down to Mr. King's in her distress, soshe was there awaiting them; and the fathers and brothers of the rest ofthe "Salisbury girls" took off their charges, much to the relief of thegoverness. So presently Jasper had his party all settled in thecarriage, Dr. Pennell saying, "Well, I resign my responsibility aboutthat arm to you, Dr. Fisher. " He lifted his hat, and was off. 

"Oh, wait!" cried Polly in great distress as Thomas was just startingoff with a dash, "I must speak to him. "

"Polly--what is it?" cried Jasper. "Wait, Thomas!" So Thomas pulled up. 

"I must--I must, " declared Polly. Her foot was on the step, and she wassoon out. 

"I'll go with you, " said Jasper, as she sped down through the streams ofpeople pouring along the platform, to thread her way after the tallfigure, Jasper by her side. "Dr. Pennell--oh, please stop. "

"Hey?" The doctor pulled up in his brisk walk. "Oh dear me! what is it?"

"Will you please tell me--do you know who the poor man was who waskilled?" she gasped. 

"Oh Polly, " cried Jasper, "was there some one killed?"

"Yes, he was a brakeman, Polly, " said Dr. Pennell. 

"Oh, I know--but where did he live?" cried Polly, "and had he anychildren?" all in one breath. 

"A big family, I understand, " said the doctor gravely. 

"Oh dear me!" exclaimed Polly with a sorry droop to the bright head, andclasping her hands, "could you, Dr. Pennell, tell me anything more?"

"That's all I know about the poor fellow, " said the doctor. "Theconductor told me that. "

"I'll find out for you to-morrow, Polly, " said Jasper quickly; "I'll rundown to the railroad office, and get all the news I can. "

"And I'll go with you, " said Polly, "for I most know Grandpapa will letme. He was so very good to us all--that poor man was, " she mourned. 

"Yes, Polly, there's no doubt of that, " Dr. Pennell said abruptly. "Youand I maybe wouldn't be standing here if it were not for him. "

Jasper shivered, and laid hold of Polly's arm. "Well now, run along andget home, " finished the doctor cheerily, "and look out for that pluckylittle friend of yours, and I'll try and find out, too, about thatbrakeman, and we'll talk the thing over. " So Polly and Jasper raced backagain down over the platform, clambered into the carriage, and away theywent home to Grandpapa and Mamsie!

And Alexia and her aunt staid all night. And after the whole story hadbeen gone over and over, and Grandpapa had held Polly on his knee, allthe time she was not in Mamsie's lap, and Alexia had had her poor armtaken care of, and all bandaged up, Dr. Fisher praising her for being socool and patient, why then it was nearly eleven o'clock. 

"Dear me! Polly, " cried Mother Fisher in dismay, looking over at theclock--they were all in the library, and all visitors had beendenied--"the very idea! you children must get to bed. "

"Yes--or you won't be cool and patient to-morrow, " said Dr. Fisherdecidedly, and patting Alexia's bandages. "Now run off, little girl, andwe'll see you bright as a button in the morning. "

"I'm not cool and patient, " declared Alexia, abruptly pulling down, withher well hand, the little doctor till she could whisper in his ear. "Oh, aunt does fuss so--you can't think; I'm a raging wild animal. "

"Well, you haven't been raging to-night, Alexia, " said the littledoctor, bursting out into a laugh. 

"Oh, hush, do, " implored Alexia, who wasn't in the slightest degreeafraid to speak her mind, least of all to Dr. Fisher, whom she likedimmensely; "they'll all hear us, " she brought up in terror. 

"What is it, Alexia?" cried her aunt from the sofa, where Dr. Fisher hadasked her to be seated, as it was well across the room. "Oh, is sheworse?" she exclaimed, hurrying over nervously. 

"There, now, you see, " cried Alexia tragically, and sinking back in herchair; "everything's just as bad as can be now. "

"Not in the least, Miss Rhys, " the little doctor said in his cheeriesttones, "only Alexia and I had a little joke all by ourselves. " And as hewaited coolly for the maiden lady to return to her seat, she soon foundherself back there. Then he went over to Mamsie, and said something in alow tone. 

"Yes, Adoniram. " Mother Fisher nodded over Polly's brown head. "Sheought to have a good night's sleep. "

"Polly, " said Dr. Fisher, leaning over her, "it's just this: that auntof Alexia's--she's a good enough sort of a woman, I suppose, " wrinklinghis brows in perplexity to find the right words, "but she certainly doespossess the faculty to rile folks up remarkably well. She sets my teethon edge; she does really, wife. " He brought out this confessionhonestly, although he hated professionally to say it. "And Alexia--well, you know, Polly, she ought to be kept quiet to-night. So your mother andI--we do, don't we, dear?" taking Mamsie's hand. 

"We certainly do, " said Mrs. Fisher, not waiting for the whole story tobe told, "think it's best for you to have Alexia with you to-night. "

"Oh, goody!" exclaimed Polly, sitting quite straight in Mamsie's lap. 

"You are not to talk, Polly, you know, " said Dr. Fisher decidedly. 

"Oh, we won't--we won't, " promised Polly faithfully. 

"You can have the red room, Polly, " said Mamsie, "because of the twobeds. And now, child, you must both hop off and get into them as soon asyou can, or you'll be sick to-morrow. "

So Polly ran off to bid Grandpapa good night. And then as he held her inhis arms, he said, "Well, now, Polly, you and Jasper and I will takethat trip down to the railroad station to-morrow. "

"Oh, Grandpapa!" cried Polly, clasping her hands, while her cheeksturned rosy red, "I am so very glad. We can go right after school, can'twe?"

"School? Oh, you won't go to school to-morrow, " said old Mr. Kingdecidedly. "Yes, yes, Mrs. Fisher, in just a minute--Polly shall go tobed in a minute. No, no, Polly, after such an excitement, school isn'tto be thought of for a day or two. "

"Perhaps she'll be all right in the morning, father, " Jasper hurried tosay, at sight of Polly's face. 

"Oh, I shall--I shall. " Polly flashed a bright glance at him. "_Please_, Grandpapa, let me go. I haven't been absent this year. "

"And it's so awfully hard to make up lessons, " said Jasper. 

"Make up lessons? Well, you needn't make them up. Bless me! Such ascholar as you are, Polly, I guess you'll stand well enough at the endof the year, without any such trouble. Quite well enough, " he added withdecision. 

Polly's brown head drooped, despite her efforts to look bravely up intohis face. "Good night, Grandpapa, " she said sadly, and was turningaway. 

"Oh bless me!" exclaimed old Mr. King hastily, "Polly, see here, mychild, well--well, in the morning perhaps--dear me!--we can tell thenwhether it's best for you to go to school or not. Come, kiss me goodnight, again. "

So Polly ran back and gave him two or three kisses, and then raced off, Jasper having time to whisper at the door: "I most know, Polly, father'll let you go; I really and truly believe he will. "

"I believe so too, " cried Polly happily. 

And sure enough, he did. For the next morning Polly ran down tobreakfast as merry as a bee, brown eyes dancing, as if accidents werenever to be thought of; and Grandpapa pinched her rosy cheek, and said:"Well, Polly, you've won! Off with you to school. " And Polly tucked herbooks under her arm, and raced off with Jasper, who always went toschool with her as far as their paths went, turning off at the cornerwhere she hurried off to Miss Salisbury's select school, to go to hisown. 

"Oh, here comes Polly Pepper!" The girls, some of them waiting for herat the big iron gate, raced down to meet her. "Oh Polly--Polly. " At thata group of girls on the steps turned, and came flying up, too. "Oh, tell us all about the awful accident, " they screamed. "Tell, Polly, do. "They swarmed all over her. 

"Give me the books, " and one girl seized them. "I'll carry them for you, Polly. "

"And, Polly, not one of the other girls that went out to Silvia Horne'sis here this morning. "

"They may come yet, " said Polly; "it's not late. "

"Oh, I know; we came early to meet you; well, Silvia isn't here either. "

"Oh, she can't come, because of her cousin, " said Polly, "and----"

"Well, I don't care whether she ever comes, " declared Leslie Fyle. "Ican't abide that Silvia Horne. "

"Nor I, " said another girl, "she's so full of her airs and graces, andalways talking about her fine place at Edgewood. Oh dear me! I'm sick ofEdgewood!"

A little disagreeable laugh went around. 

"Oh, I'll tell you of the accident, " said Polly; "come, let's sit downon the steps; we've ten minutes yet. "

"Yes, do, do, " cried the girls. So they huddled up together on the bigstone steps, Polly in the middle, and she told them the whole story asfast as she could. Meantime other girls hurrying to school, saw themfrom a distance, and broke into a run to get there in time. 

And Polly gave Alexia's love all round, as she had been commissioned todo. 

"We'll go up to your house to see her, " cried Leslie, "perhaps thisafternoon. "

"Oh, no, you mustn't, " said Polly. "I'm dreadfully sorry, girls, butPapa Fisher says no one must come yet, till he sends word by me. "

"I thought you said Alexia was all right. "

"And if her arm isn't broken I should think we might see her, " said abig girl on the edge of the circle discontentedly. She had privatereasons for wishing the interview as soon as possible, as she and Alexiahad quarrelled the day before, and now it was quite best to ignore alldifferences, and make it up. 

"But she's had a great strain, and Papa-Doctor says it isn't best, "repeated Polly very distinctly, "so we can't even think of it, Sarah. "

"Polly? is that Polly Pepper?" exclaimed a voice in the hall. 

[Illustration: AND SHE TOLD THEM THE WHOLE STORY AS FAST AS SHECOULD. ]

"Oh, yes, Miss Anstice, " cried Polly, hopping up so quickly she nearlyoverthrew some of the bunch of girls. 

Yes, she had on the black silk gown, and Polly fancied she could hear itcrackle, it was so stiff, as Miss Anstice advanced primly. 

"I hear that there was an accident, Polly Pepper, last night, which youand some of the other girls were in. Now, why did you not come and tellme or sister at once about it?"

"Oh dear me! do forgive me, " cried poor Polly, now seeing that she haddone a very wrong thing not to have acquainted Miss Salisbury first withall the particulars. "I do hope you will forgive me, Miss Anstice, " shebegged over again. 

"I find it very difficult to overlook it, Polly, " said Miss Anstice, whowas much disturbed by the note she held in her hand, just delivered, bywhich Professor Mills informed her he should be unable to deliver hisaddress that morning before her art class. So she added with asperity, "It would have been quite the proper thing, and something that wouldnaturally, I should suppose, suggest itself to a girl brought up as youhave been, Polly, to come at once to the head of the school with theinformation. "

Polly, feeling that all this reflected on Mamsie and her home training, had yet nothing to do but to stand pale and quiet on the steps. 

"She couldn't help it. " The big girl pushed her way into the innercircle. "We girls all just made her stop. My! Miss Anstice, it was justa mob here when we saw Polly coming. "

"Sarah Miller, you have nothing to say until I address you. " A littlered spot was coming on either cheek as Miss Anstice turned angrily tothe big girl. "And I shall at once report you to sister, for improperbehavior. "

"Oh dear, dear! Well, I wish 'sister' would fire old black silk, "exclaimed a girl on the edge of the circle under her breath. "Look ather now. Isn't she a terror!" and then the big bell rang, and they allfiled in. 

"Now she won't let us have our picnic; she'll go against it every wayshe can, " cried a girl who was out of dangerous earshot. And the terrorof this spread as they all scampered down the hall. 

"Oh dear, dear! to think this should have happened on her black silkday!"

"No, we won't get it now, you may depend, " cried ever so many. And poorPolly, with all this added woe, to make her feel responsible for thehorrible beginning of the day, sank into her seat and leaned her head onher desk. 

The picnic, celebrated as an annual holiday, was given by Miss Salisburyto the girls, if all had gone well in the school, and no transgressionsof rules, or any misdemeanor, marred the term. Miss Anstice never hadlooked with favor on the institution, and the girls always felt that shewent out of her way to spy possible insubordination among the scholars. So they strove not to get out of her good graces, observing special carewhen the "black silk days" came around. 

On this unlucky day, everything seemed against them; and as Miss Ansticestalked off to sit upon the platform by "sister" for the openingexercises, the girls felt it was all up with them, and a general gloomfell upon the long schoolroom. 

Miss Salisbury's gentle face was turned in surprise upon them as shescanned the faces. And then, the general exercises being over, theclasses were called, and she and "sister" were left on the platformalone. 

"Oh, now she's getting the whole thing!" groaned Leslie, looking backfrom the hall, to peer in. "Old black silk is giving it to her. Oh, Ijust hate Miss Anstice!"

"Sarah, why couldn't you have kept still?" cried another girl. "If youhadn't spoken, Miss Anstice would have gotten over it. "

"Well, I wasn't going to have Polly Pepper blamed, " said Sarah sturdily. "If you were willing to, I wasn't going to stand still and hear it, whenit was our fault she told us first. "

"Oh, no, Sarah, " said Polly, "it surely was my own self that was toblame. I ought to have run in and told Miss Salisbury first. Well, now, girls, what shall I do? I've lost that picnic for you all, for I don'tbelieve she will let us have it now. "

"No, she won't, " cried Leslie tragically; "of that you may be sure, Polly Pepper. "

VIII "WE'RE TO HAVE OUR PICNIC!"

And that afternoon Polly kept back bad recollections of the gloomymorning at school as well as she could. She didn't let Alexia get theleast bit of a hint about it, although how she ever escaped letting herfind it out, she never could quite tell, but rattled on, all themessages the girls had sent, and every bit of school news she couldthink of. 

"Were the other girls who went to Silvia's, at school?" asked Alexiasuddenly, and twitching up her pillow to get higher in bed, for Dr. Fisher had said she mustn't get up this first day; and a hard piece ofwork Mother Fisher had had to keep the aunt out of the room. 

"I wouldn't go in, " Mamsie would say; "Dr. Fisher doesn't wish her to bedisturbed. To-morrow, Miss Rhys. " And it was all done so quietly thatAlexia's aunt would find herself off down in the library again and busywith a book, very much to her own surprise. 

"I'll shake 'em up, " Polly cried; and hopping off from the foot of thebed, she thumped the pillows, if not with a merry, at least with avigorous hand. "There now, " crowding them in back of Alexia's restlesshead, "isn't that fine?"

"I should think it was, " exclaimed Alexia with a sigh of satisfaction, and giving her long figure a contented stretch; "you do know just thebest things to do, Polly Pepper. Well, tell on. I suppose Amy Garrett isperfectly delighted to cut that old art lecture. "

"Oh, Professor Mills didn't come at all, " said Polly. That brought itall back about Miss Anstice, and her head drooped suddenly. 

"Didn't come? oh dear!" And Alexia fell to laughing so, that she didn'tnotice Polly's face at all. But her aunt popping in, she became sober atonce, and ran her head under the bedclothes. 

"Oh, are you worse? is she, Polly?" cried Miss Rhys all in a flutter. "Iheard her cry, I thought. "

"No, I was laughing, " said Alexia, pulling up her face red and shining. "Do go right away, aunt. Dr. Fisher said Polly was to tell me things. "

"Well, if you are not worse, " said her aunt, slowly turning away. 

"No, " said Alexia. "Polly Pepper, do get up and shut that door, " shecried; "slam it, and lock it. "

"Oh, no, " said Polly, in dismay at the very thought, "I couldn't ever dothat, Alexia. "

"Well, then I will. " Alexia threw back the bedclothes with a desperatehand, and thrust one foot out. 

"If you do, " said Polly, not moving from where she sat on the foot ofthe bed, "I shall go out of this room, and not come back to-day. "

"Shall you really?" cried Alexia, fixing her pale eyes on her. 

"Yes, indeed I shall, " said Polly firmly. 

"Oh, then I'm not going. " Alexia drew in her foot, and huddled all theclothes up over her head. "Polly Pepper, " she said in muffled tones, "you're a perfectly dreadful creature, and if you'd gone and sprainedyour arm in a horrible old railway accident and were tied in bed, I'd dojust everything you said, I would. "

"Oh, I hope you wouldn't, " said Polly. 

"Hope I wouldn't!" screamed Alexia, flinging all the clothes away againto stare at Polly out of very wide eyes. "Whatever do you mean, PollyPepper?"

"I hope you wouldn't do as I wanted you to, " said Polly distinctly, "ifI wanted something that was bad. "

"Well, that's a very different thing, " mumbled Alexia. "Oh dear me!" Shegave a grimace at a twinge of pain in her arm. "This isn't bad; I onlywanted that door shut. "

"Oh now, Alexia, you've hurt your arm!" cried Polly; "do keep still, else Papa-Doctor won't let me stay in here. "

"Oh dear, dear! I'll keep still, " promised Alexia, making up her mindthat horses shouldn't drag any expression of pain from her after that. 

"I mean, do sit up straight against your pillows; you've got 'em allmussed up again, " cried Polly. So she hopped off from the bed, andthumped them into shape once more. 

"I wish you'd turn 'em over, " said Alexia: "they're so hot on thatside. " So Polly whisked over the pillows, and patted them straight, andAlexia sank back against them again. 

"Wouldn't you like me to smooth your hair, Alexia?" asked Polly. "Mamsiedoes that to me when I don't feel good. "

"Yes, I should, " said Alexia, "like it very much indeed, Polly. "

So Polly, feeling quite happy, albeit the remembrance of the morningstill lay deep in her mind, ran off for the brush and comb. "And I'mgoing to braid it all over, " she said with great satisfaction, "afterI've rubbed your head. "

"Well, now tell on, " said Alexia, as Polly climbed up back of thepillows, and began to smooth the long light fluffs of hair, trying to doit just as Mamsie always did for her. "You say Professor Mills didn'tcome--oh dear! and think of that black silk gown wasted on the girls. Well, I suppose she was cross as two sticks because he didn't come, wasn't she, Polly? Oh dear me! well, I'm glad I wasn't there, " shehurried on, not waiting for a reply; "I'd rather be in with this oldbundle"--she patted her bandages--"Oh Polly!" She started up so suddenlythat the brush flew out of Polly's lap and spun away across the floor. "Take care, " said Polly, "oh, there goes the comb now, " and she skippeddown, recovered the articles, and jumped up to her post again. "What isit, Alexia?"

"Why, I've just thought--you don't suppose Miss Salisbury will appointthe day for the picnic, do you, while my arm is lame?"

The color in Polly's cheeks went out, and she was glad that she couldget well behind the pillows. 

"Oh, no, Alexia, " she made herself say, "we wouldn't ever in all thisworld have the picnic till you were well. How could you think it, Alexia?"

"I didn't believe you would, " cried Alexia, much gratified, and huddlingdown again, without once seeing Polly's face, "but most of the girlsdon't care about me, Polly, and they wouldn't mind. "

"Oh yes, they do, " said Polly reassuringly, "they're very fond of you, most of them are. "

"Well, " said Alexia, "I'm not fond of them, so I don't really expectthem to be, Polly. But I shouldn't like 'em to go off and have thatpicnic when I couldn't go. Was anything said about it, Polly?" she askedabruptly. 

"Miss Salisbury or Miss Anstice didn't say a word, " said Polly, trembling for the next question. Just then Mother Fisher looked in witha smile. "Polly, you are wanted, " she said. "Grandpapa and Jasper areready to go to the railroad station. I'm going to stay with Alexia andfinish her hair just as I do for Polly. "

Alexia looked up and smiled. It was next best to having Polly, to haveMrs. Fisher. So Polly, happy to have a respite from Alexia's questionsabout the picnic, and happier still to be going to find out somethingabout the poor brakeman's family, flew off from the bed, set a kiss onAlexia's hot cheek, and another on Mamsie's, and raced off. 

"I'm coming, Jasper, " she called. She could see him below in the widehall. 

"All right, don't hurry so, father isn't ready yet. Dear me! Polly, youcan get ready so quickly for things!" he said admiringly. And, in theglow of starting, he couldn't see that Polly's spirits seemed at a lowebb, and he drew a long breath as he tried to make himself believe thatwhat he had noticed at luncheon wasn't really so at all. 

And Polly, between Grandpapa and Jasper, tried to make them have such agood time that really it seemed no walk at all, and they were all quitesurprised when they found themselves there. 

"We must go up into the superintendent's room, " said Mr. King. So up thelong stairs they went, the old gentleman grumbling at every step becausethere was no elevator, and at all other matters and things that were, as he declared, "at loose ends in the whole system. " At last they stoodbefore the desk. 

"Have the goodness, " began old Mr. King to the official, a short, pompous person who came up in the absence of the superintendent and nowturned a cold face up to them, "to give me some information regarding abrakeman who was killed last night in the accident to the train due hereat 7. 45. "

"Don't know anything about him, " said the official in the crispestaccents. He looked as if he cared less, and was about to slam down thewindow, when Mr. King asked, "Does anybody in this office know?"

"Can't say. " The official pulled out his watch, compared it with the bigclock on the wall, then turned away. 

"Do any of you know who the man was who was killed last night?" askedthe old gentleman, putting his face quite close to the window, andspeaking in such clear, distinct tones that every clerk looked up. 

Each man searched all the other faces. No, they didn't know; except one, a little, thin, weazen-faced person over in the corner, at a high desk, copying. "I only know that his name was Jim, " he said in a voice tomatch his figure. 

"Have the goodness to step this way, sir, and tell me what you do know, "said Mr. King in such a way that the little man, but with many glancesfor the pompous individual, slipped off from his high stool, to advanceto the window rubbing his hands together deprecatingly. The other clerksall laid down their pens to see the interview. 

"What was his name--this brakeman's?" demanded Mr. King. 

"I don't know, sir, " said the little, thin clerk. "Jim--that was all Iknew him by. I used to see him of a morning when I was coming to theoffice, and he was waiting to take his train. He was a steady fellow, Jim was, " he added, anxiously scanning the handsome face beneath thewhite hair. 

"I don't doubt that, " said old Mr. King hastily. "I don't in the leastdoubt it. "

"And he wasn't given to drink, sir, " the little, thin clerk criedabruptly, "although some did say it who shouldn't; for there were manyafter Jim's place. He had an easy run. And----"

"Yes, yes; well, now what I want to know, " said Mr. King interruptingthe stream, Polly and Jasper on either side having a hard time tocontrol their impatience, "is where this 'Jim, ' as you call him, lived, and what was his last name. "

"That I don't know, sir, " said the little, thin clerk. "I only know hehad a family, for once in a while when I had a minute to spare he'd getto talking about 'em, when we met. Jim was awful fond of 'em; that anyone could see. "

"Yes, well, now what would he say?" asked the old gentleman, trying tohurry matters along. The pompous official had his eye on the clock. Itmight go hard for the little, thin clerk in his seedy coat, if he tooktoo much time from office hours. 

"Why, he had one girl who was crazy about music, " said the little clerk, "and--"

"Oh dear me!" exclaimed Polly. Old Mr. King heard her sigh at his side, and he cried, "Well, what else?"

"Why, I've heard Jim say more'n once he'd live on bread and water if hecould only give his daughter a chance. And there were his three boys. "

"Three boys, " echoed Mr. King sharply. 

"Yes, sir. I saw 'em round the train once or twice; they were likelychaps, it seemed to me. " The little, thin clerk, a bachelor with severalunmarried sisters on his hands for support, sighed deeply. 

"Well, now, " cried Mr. King, thinking it quite time to bring theinterview to a close, "I'd take it quite kindly if you'd find out for meall you can about this Jim. A member of my family was on the train lastnight, who but for this noble brakeman might--might--bless me! There ismy card. " The old gentleman pulled out one from his cardcase, then fellto wiping his face violently. 

"What is your name?" asked Jasper, seeing that his father couldn'tspeak. 

"Hiram Potter, " said the little clerk. The pompous official drew near, and looked over his shoulder at the card. "Oh! why--Mr. King!" he cried, all the pomposity suddenly gone. "I beg your pardon; what can I do foryou, sir?"

"Nothing whatever, sir. " Mr. King waved him away. "Well, now, Mr. Potter, if you'll be so very good as to get this information for me assoon as possible and bring it up to my house, I'll be very much indebtedto you. " With a bow to him, in which the official was nowise included, the old gentleman and Polly and Jasper went off down the stairs again. 

"Finkle, you're caught this time; you're in a hole, " the brotherofficials sang out when the card had been displayed around the office. "I wouldn't want to be in your shoes, " said more than one. 

Finkle tried to brave out the dismay he felt at having offended thepowerful millionaire railroad director, but he made but a poor show ofit. Meanwhile the little, thin clerk, slipping the precious card intohis seedy coat pocket, clambered up to his high stool, his mind busywith plans to unearth all possible information concerning Jim, thebrakeman, as soon as the big clock up on the wall should let them out ofthe office. 

"Polly, my dear, " old Mr. King kept saying, as they went down thestairs, and he held her hand very closely, "I think this Potter--a verygood sort of a man he seems to be, too--will find out all we want toknow about Jim. I really do, Polly; so we won't worry about it, child. "

Nevertheless, on top of all the rest that was worrying her, Polly had asorry enough time, to keep her troubles from showing on her face. Andafter dinner, when the bell pealed violently, she gave a great start andturned quite pale. 

Jasper saw it. "I don't believe it's any bad news, Polly, " he hastenedto say reassuringly, and longing to comfort, though he couldn't imaginethe reason. 

"Oh, where's Polly?" She heard the girls' voices out in the hall, andran out to meet them. "Oh dear me!" she cried at sight of their facesthat confirmed her worst fears. 

"Yes, oh Polly, it's just as I said, " cried Leslie Fyle, precipitatingherself against Polly. "Now, girls, keep back; I'm going to tell herfirst. "

"Well, we are all going to tell too, Les; that's what we've come for, "cried the others, crowding up. 

"Oh, what is it?" cried Polly, standing quite still, and feeling as ifshe never could hold up her head again now that the picnic was lostthrough her. 

"I shall tell, myself, " declared Sarah bluntly. "I'm the one, it seems, that made all the trouble, so it really belongs to me, I should think, to be the first speaker. "

Polly folded her hands tightly together, while the babel went on, feeling that if she didn't hear the dreaded news soon, she should flyoff to Mamsie. 

"Miss Salisbury said--" She could hear little scraps of chatter. 

"I know--oh, do hurry and tell Polly. "

"Oh, and just think, Miss Salisbury----"

"And Miss Anstice--" Then some of them looked around and into Polly'sface. "Oh my goodness, girls, see Polly Pepper!"

With that they all rushed at her, and nobody told first, for they allshouted it out together: "Polly, Miss Salisbury has given us ourpicnic!" and "Polly, isn't it too splendid!" and "Polly Pepper, justthink how perfectly elegant! Our picnic, Polly--only think!" till thecircle in the library popped out their heads into the hall. 

"Jasper, " cried Polly, deserting the bunch of "Salisbury girls, " toplunge up to him with shining eyes, "we're to have our picnic; we trulyare, Jasper, and I thought I'd lost it to all the girls. "

And just then Johnson advanced down the length of the hall. "It's aperson to see you, sir, " he said to old Mr. King, --"says it's quiteimportant, sir, and that you told him to come. He's sitting by the door, sir. "

"Oh, it's Mr. Potter, I think, " said the old gentleman; "show him intothe library, Johnson. Polly, my child. Bless me! I don't see how youstand it with these girls chattering around you every minute. Now be offwith you, " he cried gaily to the group. He was much pleased at thesuccess of his plan to find out about the brakeman, of which he feltquite sure from the appearance so promptly of the little clerk. "I havesomething quite important for Polly to attend to now; and I really wanther to myself once in a while. "

"Yes, I must go, girls, " said Polly, turning a blooming countenance onthem; "so good night. We won't have the picnic, you know, till Alexia iswell, " she added decidedly. 

"Oh, that's what Miss Salisbury said, " cried Leslie, turning back. "Yousee, I saw her after school--went back for my history--and I was to tellyou that, Polly; only Sarah spoilt it all. "

"Never mind, " said Polly brightly, "it's all right now, since we arereally to have our picnic. " And then she put her hand in old Mr. King's, quite bubbling over with happiness, --Jasper, just as jubilant, since Polly was herself again, on the other side, --to go in and meet thelittle, thin clerk, scared at his surroundings, and perched on theextreme edge of a library chair. 

IX ALL ABOUT THE POOR BRAKEMAN

Mr. Potter was very miserable indeed on the edge of his chair, andtwirling his hat dreadfully; and for the first moment after the handsomeold gentleman spoke to him, he had nothing to say. 

Old Mr. King was asking him for the third time, "You found out all aboutpoor Jim's family, eh?"

At last he emerged from his fit of embarrassment enough to reply, "Yes, sir. "

"Now that is very good, " the old gentleman cried approvingly, and wipedhis face vigorously after his effort, "very good indeed, Mr. Potter. "

Hiram Potter now followed up his first attempt to find his voice; andtrying to forget the handsome surroundings that had so abashed him, hewent on now quite glibly. 

"You see, sir, there's six of 'em--Jim's children. "

"Dear me!" ejaculated old Mr. King. 

"Yes, sir, there are. " Mr. Potter's hat began to twirl uneasily again. "And the wife--she ain't strong, just got up from rheumatic fever. "

"That's bad--very bad, " said Mr. King. 

"Those three boys of his are good, " said Mr. Potter, brightening up abit in the general gloom; "and the biggest one says he's going to be abrakeman just like his father. But the mother wants 'em all to go toschool. You see, that's what Jim was working for. "

"And the girl who wanted to play on the piano?" broke in Polly eagerly. Then she blushed rosy red. "Oh, forgive me, Grandpapa, forinterrupting, " and she hid her face on old Mr. King's arm. 

"I was just going to ask about that girl, myself, " said Grandpapapromptly. "Tell us about her, Mr. Potter, if you please. "

Hiram Potter set his hat carefully on the floor beside his chair. It washis Sunday hat, and evidently that, with his best clothes which he haddonned in honor of the occasion, were objects of great care. Hescratched his head and thought deeply. "Well, now, you see, sir, " hesaid slowly, "that's almost a hopeless case, and I wish, as sure as Isit here, that girl hadn't never thought of piano music. But it's bornin her, the mother said; the girl's grandfather was a musician in theold home in Germany, and so she can't help it. Why, she's just so crazyabout it, she'll drum all up and down the kitchen table to make believethat----"

"Oh Grandpapa!" cried Polly in the greatest excitement, and hopping upand down by his side, "that's just as I used to do in the little brownhouse, --the very same way, Grandpapa, you know. "

"Yes, she did, father, " cried Jasper, bobbing his head scarcely lessexcited, just as if old Mr. King hadn't heard the story many times. 

Mr. Potter, for want of something to do to express his amazement, pickedup his hat, stroked it, and set it down again, staring with all hismight. 

"So you did, Polly; so you did, my child, " cried Grandpapa, taking herhands in both of his, and looking down into her shining eyes; "well, well, to be sure. Now, Jasper, get the tablet, and write down theaddress of Jim's family as quickly as you can, my boy. "

So Jasper ran over to the library table, and brought back the tablet andpencil hanging to it; and pretty soon Jim's home was all describedthus: "Mrs. James Corcoran, 5 Willow Court--third house from HavenStreet. "

"It's kinder hard to find, " observed Mr. Potter slowly, "because WillowCourt runs into Haven Street criss-cross, and this number isn't on thehouse; it's got rubbed off; but if you follow up No. 3, and come upcarefully, why, there you'll be where No. 5 was. "

"Oh dear me!" said Mr. King. "Well, you may describe the house, for I amgoing down there to-morrow, and I certainly do not wish to waste my timewalking about. "

Polly and Jasper looked so very decidedly "Oh, may we go too?" that theold gentleman added quickly, "And my young people will accompany me, "which really left nothing more to be desired at present. 

"Well, it's a yellow house, " said Mr. Potter, thinking very hard, "thatis, it is in spots, where the paint is on; and it's low, and runs downto the back, and sets sideways. But I tell you how you'll know it. She'sgot--Mrs. Jim Corcoran has--the greatest lot of flowers in her window. They're chock full, sir. "

"I shall know it, then, " cried Polly in great satisfaction. 

"I think there's no danger, sir, but what we will find the place allright. " Old Mr. King was fumbling in his pocket in great perplexity. "Itnever would do, " he decided, pulling his hand out. "No, I must contriveto send him something. Well, now--hem--Mr. Potter, " he said aloud, "andwhere do you live? Quite near, I presume?"

"Oh, just the other end of the town, sir, " said Mr. Potter. "I live onAcorn Street. "

"Acorn Street?" repeated Mr. King, wrinkling his brows, "and where maythat be, pray tell?"

"It's over at the South End, sir; it runs off from Baker Street andHighland Square. "

"Oh yes, yes, " said the old gentleman, without much more idea thanbefore. 

"I know where it is, father, " said Jasper. "Dear me! You've had to takea good bit of time to get all this information, Mr. Potter. "

Mr. Potter looked down busily on the carpet, trying not to think howtired his feet were, saving some car-fare for their owner. 

"Well, now what number?" The old gentleman seeming to desire his wholeaddress, that was soon given too, --"23 Acorn Street, South End. "

"And I suppose you have a family?" went on the old gentleman, determinedto find out all there was to it, now he had commenced. 

The little clerk began to hem and to haw, behind his hand. "No, sir, Ihaven't; that is, yes, I have considerable--I mean my four sisters, sir;we all live together. "

"Oh--ah!" replied Mr. King. "Well, now thank you very much, Mr. Potter;and as your time is valuable, and should be paid for, "--he tucked a billwithin the nervous hands. 

"Oh, I couldn't take it, sir, " cried Hiram Potter, greatly distressed. 

"But it's your due. Why, man, I shouldn't have asked you to take allthis trouble, and spend so much time after I've found you had so far togo. " Mr. King was really becoming irate now, so that the little clerkdidn't dare to say more. "Bless me! Say no more--say no more!"

The little clerk was too much frightened to think of another word; andfinding that the interview was considered closed, he picked up his hat, and in some way, he could never remember how, he soon found himself outof the handsome house, and skipping off nimbly in the fresh air, whichquite revived him. 

"I could offer him only a trifle, " old Mr. King was saying, "only whatmight repay him for his trouble and time to-night. But I shall speak toFraser about him to-morrow, Jasper. That agent of mine is, curiouslyenough, in want of a clerk just at this time, and I know this little mancan fit in very well, and it will get him away from that beastly office. Four sisters--oh my goodness! Well, Fraser must give him enough to takecare of them. "

"Oh, how fine, father!" exclaimed Jasper with kindling eyes. "And thenthe girl that wants to learn to play on the piano. "

"Oh dear me, yes!" Old Mr. King burst into a merry laugh. "I must lookafter that little girl, or Polly won't speak to me, I am afraid. Willyou, Polly, my child?" He drew her close to him, and kissed her bloomingcheek. 

"I am so very glad you are going to look out for her, Grandpapa, " shecried, "because you know I did feel so dreadfully when I used to drum onthe table in the little brown house, " she confessed. 

"I know--I know, child. " Grandpapa's face fell badly, and he held hervery close. It always broke him up to hear the Peppers tell of the hardtimes in the little brown house, and Polly hastened to add brightly, "And then you came, Grandpapa dear, and you made it all justbeautiful--oh Grandpapa!" and she clung to him, unable to say more. 

"Yes, yes, so I did--so I did, " cried the old gentleman delightedly, quite happy again, and stroking the brown hair. "Well, Polly, my girl, it isn't anything to the good times we are always going to have. Andto-morrow, you and I must go down to see after poor Jim's family. "

"And Jasper?" cried Polly, poking up her head from old Mr. King'sprotecting arm; "he must go too, Grandpapa. "

"And Jasper? Why, we couldn't do anything without him, Polly, " said theold gentleman in such a tone that Jasper threw back his head veryproudly; "of course my boy must go too. "

And the next day, Pickering Dodge, who thought he had some sort of aclaim on Jasper for the afternoon, came running up the steps, two at atime. And he looked so horribly disappointed, that old Mr. King said, "Why don't you take him, Jasper, along with us?"

Jasper, who would have much preferred to go alone with his father andPolly, swallowed his vexation, and said, "All right;" and when he sawPickering's delight, he brightened up, and was glad it all happened injust that way after all. 

"Now see here, " said old Mr. King suddenly. They were turning out ofWillow Court, after their visit, and Thomas had a sorry time of it, managing his horses successfully about the old tin cans and rubbish, tosay nothing of the children who were congregated in the narrow, ill-smelling court. "Why don't you boys do something for those lads inthere?" pointing backward to the little run-down-at-the-heel house theyhad just left. 

"We boys?" cried Pickering faintly. "Oh dear me! Mr. King, we can't doanything. "

"'Can't' is a bad word to use, " said the old gentleman gravely, "and Ididn't mean that you all alone should do the work. But get the otherboys interested. I'm sure you can do that. Phew! Where are the healthauthorities, I should like to know, to let such abominations exist?Thomas, drive as fast as you can, and get us out of this hole;" and heburied his aristocratic old face in his handkerchief. 

Pickering looked over at Jasper in great dismay. 

"We might have our club take it up, " said Jasper slowly, with a glanceat Polly for help. 

"Yes, why don't you, Jasper?" she cried. "Now that's what I'm going topropose that our club of Salisbury girls shall do. We're just finishingup the work for a poor Southern family. "

"You've had a bee, haven't you, " asked Pickering, "or something of thatsort? Although I don't really suppose you do much work, " he saidnonchalantly, "only laugh and play and giggle, generally. "

"Indeed we don't, Pickering Dodge, " cried Polly indignantly, "laugh andplay and giggle, the very idea!"

"And if you say such dreadful things I'll pitch you out of thecarriage, " cried Jasper in pretended wrath. 

"Ow! I'll be good. Take off your nippers, " cried Pickering, cringingback down into his corner as far as he could. "Goodness me! Jasper, you're a perfect old tiger. "

"Take care, and keep your tongue in its place then, " said Jasper, bursting into a laugh. 

"And we work--oh, just dreadfully, " declared Polly with her mostpositive air. "We cut out all the clothes ourselves. We don't want ourmothers to do it; and sew--oh dear me!"

"You ought to see our house on club day when Polly has the bee, " saidJasper. "I rather think you'd say there was something going on for thosepoor little Southern darkies. "

"Well, I don't see how you can work so for a lot of disgustingpickaninnies, " said Pickering, stretching his long figure lazily. "Thewhole bunch of them isn't worth one good solid afternoon of play. "

Polly turned a cold shoulder to him, and began to talk with Jasper mostbusily about the club of boys. 

"Yes, and oh, Jasper, let's have one meeting of all you boys with usgirls--the two clubs together, " she cried at last, waxing quiteenthusiastic. 

"Yes, let us, " cried Jasper, just as enthusiastic; "and oh, Polly, I'vethought of something. Let's have a little play--you write it. "

"Oh Jasper, I can't, " cried Polly, wrinkling her brows. 

"Oh, yes, Polly, you can, " cried Jasper; "if it's one half as good as'The Three Dragons and the Princess Clotilde, ' it will be just fine. "

"Well, " said Polly, "I'll try; and what then, Jasper?"

"Why, we'll give it for money--father, may we, in the drawing-room? Andperhaps we'll make quite a heap to help those boys with. Oh Polly!" Heseized both of her hands and wrung them tightly. "Oh, may we, father, may we?"

"Eh--what's that? Oh, yes. " The old gentleman took down hishandkerchief. "Dear me! what a mercy we are where we can breathe!" asThomas whirled them dexterously past a small square. "What _are_ thehealth authorities about, to allow such atrocious old holes? Oh, yes, myboy, I'm sure I'd be delighted to have you help along those three lads. And it's really work for boys. Polly's going to start up something forthe girl. "

"How perfectly fine!" exclaimed Jasper and Polly together, now that theconsent was really gained. Then they fell into such a merry chatter thatPickering, left out in the cold, began to wriggle dreadfully. At last hebroke out:

"Yes, I think it would be fine too, " trying to work his head into theconference, where Polly and Jasper had theirs together buzzing over theplans. 

But nobody paid him the slightest attention; so he repeated his remark, with no better success. 

"I should think you might turn around, " at last he said in a dudgeon, "and speak to a body once in a while. "

"Why should we?" cried Jasper over his shoulder. "You don't think it'sworth while to work for any of those people. No, Polly, we'll let himseverely alone. " Then he fell to talking again, busier than ever. 

"Yes, I do, " cried Pickering in a high, wrathful key, "think it's worthwhile too, so there, Jasper King!"

"Oh, he does, I do believe, Jasper, " cried Polly, looking at Pickering'sface. 

"Why, of course I do, " said Pickering. 

"And so we must let him into the plans. " So Polly turned around to drawPickering in, and old Mr. King leaned forward in his seat, and thecommittee of ways and means got so very busy that they didn't even knowwhen Thomas turned in at the big stone gateway, until Polly looked upand screamed out, "Why, we are home! Why, we _can't_ be!"

"Well, we are, Polly, my child, " said old Mr. King, getting out to helpher with his courtliest air. "We've been gone just three hours and ahalf, and a very good afternoon's work it is too. For Jim's childrenwill care twice as much for what you young folks are going to do forthem as for anything I may do. Yes, Polly, they will, " as he saw herface. "And I'm sure if I were in their places, I'd feel just the sameway. "

X JOEL AND HIS DOG

"Now, children, " hummed Phronsie, pausing in the midst of combing herdoll's flaxen hair, "you must keep still, and be very good; then I'llget through pretty soon, " and she bowed to the several members of hernumerous family set up in a row before her, who were awaiting their turnfor the same attention. Then she took up the little comb which haddropped to her lap, and set herself busily to her task again. 

Alexia looked in at the door of the "baby-house, " as Phronsie's littleroom devoted to her family of dolls, was called. "Oh my goodness me!"she exclaimed, "don't you ever get tired of everlastingly dressing thosedolls, Phronsie?"

Phronsie gave a sigh, and went patiently on with her work. "Yes, Alexia, I'm tired sometimes; but I'm their mother, you see. "

"And to comb their hair!" went on Alexia, "Oh dear me! I never could doit in all this world, Phronsie. I should want to run and throw them allout of the window. "

"Oh Alexia!" exclaimed Phronsie in horror, "throw them all out of thewindow! You couldn't do that, Alexia. " She tightened her grasp on thedoll in her arms. 

"Yes, I should want to throw every one of those dreadful dolls out ofthe window, Phronsie Pepper!" declared Alexia recklessly. 

"But they are my children, " said Phronsie very soberly, trying to getall the others waiting for their hair to be fixed, into her arms too, "and dear Grandpapa gave them to me, and I love them, every single one. "

"Well, now, you see, Phronsie, " said Alexia, getting down on the floorin front of the doll's bureau, by Phronsie's side, "you could come outwith me on the piazza and walk around a bit if it were not for thesedreadfully tiresome dolls; and Polly is at school, and you are throughwith your lessons in Mr. King's room. Now how nice that would be, ohdear me!" Alexia gave a restful stretch to her long figure. "My!" at atwinge of pain. 

"Does your arm hurt you, Alexia?" asked Phronsie, looking over her dollsup to Alexia's face. 

"Um--maybe, " said Alexia, nursing her arm hanging in the sling; "it's abad, horrid old thing, and I'd like to thump it. "

"Oh, don't, Alexia, " begged Phronsie, "that will make it worse. Pleasedon't, Alexia, do anything to it. " Then she got up, and went over withher armful of dolls to the sofa, and laid them down carefully in a row. "I'll fix your hair to-morrow, children, " she said; "now I'm going awayfor a little bit of a minute, " and came back. "Let's go down to thepiazza, " she said, holding out her hand. 

"You blessed child, you!" exclaimed Alexia, seizing her with the wellhand, "did you suppose I'd be such a selfish old pig as to drag you offfrom those children of yours?"

"You are not a selfish old pig, Alexia, and I like you very much, " saidPhronsie gravely, trying not to hit the arm in the sling, while Alexiaflew up to her feet and whirled around the room with her. "And, oh, I'mso afraid you'll make it sick, " she panted. "Do stop. "

"I just can't, Phronsie, " said Alexia; "I shall die if I don't dosomething! Oh, this horrid old arm!" and she came to a suddenstandstill, Phronsie struggling away to a safe distance. 

"Papa Fisher would not like it, Alexia, " she said in great disapproval, her hair blown about her face, and her cheeks quite pink. 

"Oh dear me!" Alexia, resting the sling in the other palm, and tryingnot to scream with the pain, burst out, "It's so tiresome to be alwaysthinking that some one won't like things one does. Phronsie, there's nouse in my trying to be good, because, you see, I never could be. I justlove to do bad things. "

"Oh no, Alexia, " said Phronsie greatly shocked, "you don't love to dobad things. Please say you don't;" and before Alexia could say anotherword, the tears poured down the round cheeks, wetting Phronsie'spinafore. And although she clasped her hands and tried to stop them, itwas no use. 

"There now, you see, " cried Alexia, quite gone in remorse. "Oh, whatshall I do? I must go and get Mrs. Fisher, " and she rushed out of theroom. 

Phronsie ran unsteadily after her, to call, "Oh Alexia!" in suchdistress that the flying feet turned, and up she came again. 

"What is it, Pet?" she cried. "Oh dear me! What shall I do? I must tellyour mother. "

"I will stop, " said Phronsie, struggling hard with her tears, "if youonly won't tell Mamsie, " and she wiped her cheeks hard with herpinafore. "There, see, Alexia, " and tried to smile. 

"Well, now, come back. " Alexia seized her hand, and dragged her up thestairs. "Now I'm just going to stay up here with you, if you'll let me, Phronsie, and try not to do bad things. I do so want to be good likePolly. You can't think how I want to, " she cried in a gust, as she threwherself down on the floor again. 

"Oh Alexia, you never could be good like Polly, " said Phronsie, standingquite still in astonishment. 

"Of course not, " said Alexia with a little laugh, "but I mean--oh, youknow what I mean, Phronsie. I want to be good so that Polly will say shelikes it. Well, come on now, get your horrible old--I mean, your dolls, and--"

"I wish very much you wouldn't call them dolls, Alexia, " said Phronsie, not offering to sit down; "they are my children, and I don't think theylike to be called anything else. "

"Well, they sha'n't hear it, then, " declared Alexia decidedly, "so getsome of them, and brush their hair, just as you were doing when I camein, and I'm going to read aloud to you out of one of your books, Phronsie. "

"Oh--oh!" Phronsie clapped her hands in glee. Next to Polly's stories, which of course she couldn't have now as Polly was at school, Phronsiedearly loved to be read to. But she suddenly grew very sober again. 

"Are you sure you will like it, Alexia?" she asked, coming up to peerinto Alexia's face. 

"Yes, yes, Pet, to be sure I will, " cried Alexia, seizing her to halfsmother her with kisses. "Why, Phronsie, it will make me very happyindeed. "

"Well, if it will really make you happy, Alexia, " said Phronsie, smoothing down her pinafore in great satisfaction, "I will get mychildren. " And she ran over to the sofa, and came back with an armful. 

"Now what book?" asked Alexia, forgetting whether her arm ached or not, and flying to her feet. "I'm going down to your bookshelf to get it. "

"Oh Alexia, " cried Phronsie in great excitement, "will you--could youget 'The Little Yellow Duck'?"

As this was the book Phronsie invariably chose when asked what shewanted read, Alexia laughed and spun off, perfectly astonished to findthat the world was not all as blue as an indigo bag. And when she cameback two steps at a time up the stairs, Phronsie was smiling away, andhumming softly to herself, while the hair-brushing was going on. 

"She had a blue ribbon on yesterday--Almira did, " said Phronsie, reflecting. "Now, wouldn't you put on a pink one to-day, Alexia?"

"I surely should, " decided Alexia--"that pretty pale pink one that Pollygave you last, Phronsie. "

"I am so very glad you said that one, " said Phronsie, running over onhappy feet for her ribbon-basket, "because I do love that ribbon verymuch, Alexia. "

"Well, now then, " said Alexia, as Phronsie began to tie up the pink bowlaboriously, "we must hurry and begin, or we never shall see whathappened to this 'Little Yellow Duck. '"

"Oh, do hurry, Alexia, " begged Phronsie, as if she hadn't heard thestory on an average of half a dozen times a week. So Alexia proppedherself up against the wall, and began, and presently it was so stillthat all any one could hear was the turning of the leaves and theticking of the little French clock on the mantel. 

"Well, dear me, how funny!" and Polly rushed in; then burst into a merrylaugh. 

"Polly Pepper--you home!" Alexia tossed "The Little Yellow Duck" halfacross the room, flew to her feet again, and spun Polly round and roundwith her well hand. 

"Yes, " said Polly, "I am, and I've been searching for you two all overthis house. "

"Take me, Polly, do. " Phronsie laid down Almira carefully on the carpet, and hurried over to Polly. 

"I guess I will. Now then, all together!" and the three spun off untilout of breath. 

"Oh dear me!" Polly stopped suddenly. "I never thought of your arm, Alexia. Oh, do you suppose we've hurt it?" It was so very dreadful tothink of, that all the color deserted her cheek. 

"Nonsense, no!" declared Alexia, "that spin put new life into me, Polly. "

"Well, I don't know, " said Polly critically; "at any rate, we mustn't doit any more. And we must tell Papa-Doctor about it as soon as he getshome. "

"Oh, what good is it to worry him?" cried Alexia carelessly. "Well, Polly, tell all the news about school, " as they hurried downstairs toget ready for luncheon. 

"We must tell Papa-Doctor everything about it, Alexia, " said Polly inher most decided fashion, putting her arm carefully around Alexia'swaist; and with Phronsie hanging to the other hand, down they went, Polly retailing the last bit of school news fresh that day. 

"And, oh, Alexia, Miss Salisbury said we are not to have the picnicuntil you get quite well; she said so in the big schoolroom, before usall. "

"Did she, Polly?" cried Alexia, immensely gratified. 

"Yes, she did. " Polly stood on her tiptoes at the imminent danger ofgoing on her nose, and pulling the other's down, to get a kiss on thelong sallow cheek. "She said it very distinctly, Alexia, and all thegirls talked about it afterward. "

"Well, she's a dear old thing, " exclaimed Alexia, with remorseful littlepangs at the memory of certain episodes at the 'Salisbury School, ' "andI shall try--oh, Polly, I'll try so hard to be nice and please her. "

Polly gave her two or three little pats on her back. 

"And don't you think, " cried Polly, flying off to brush her hair, andcalling back through the open door, "that the boys are going to havetheir club meet with ours. Just think of that!"

"Oh Polly!" Alexia came flying in, brush in hand. "You _don't_ reallymean it!"

"I do. Jasper just told me so. Well, hurry, Alexia, else we'll be late, "warned Polly, brushing away vigorously. "Yes, Phronsie, "--for Phronsiehad gone off for Jane to put on a clean apron, --"we're ready now--thatis, almost. "

"When--when?" Polly could hear Alexia frantically asking, as she rushedback into her room, which was next to Polly's own. 

"Oh, just as soon as you are able, " called Polly. "Now don't ask anymore questions, Alexia, " she begged merrily. "Yes, Mamsie, we'recoming!"

 * * * * *

That afternoon, Percy and Joel were rushing back to school from anerrand down to the village, and hurrying along with an awful feelingthat the half-past-five bell in the big tower on the playground wouldstrike in a minute. 

"Hold on, " called Percy, considerably in the rear; "how you get over theground, Joe!"

"And you're such a snail, " observed Joel pleasantly. Nevertheless hepaused. 

"What's that?" pricking up his ears. 

"I don't hear anything. " Percy came up panting. 

"Of course not, when you're puffing like a grampus. "

"What's a grampus?" asked Percy irritably. 

"I don't know, " said Joel honestly. 

"Well, I wouldn't say words I didn't know what they meant, " said Percyin a patronizing tone, and trying not to realize that he was very hot. 

"Well, do keep still, will you!" roared Joel. "There, there it isagain. " He stooped down, and peered within a hedge. "Something's cryingin here. "

"You'll get your eyes scratched out, most likely, by an old, cross cat, "suggested Percy. 

Joel, who cared very little for that or any warning, was now on hisknees. "Oh whickets!" he exclaimed, dragging out a small yellow dog, who, instead of struggling, wormed himself all up against his rescuer, whining pitifully. 

"He's hurt, " declared Joel, tossing back his stubby locks, and pattingthe dog, who stopped whining, and licked him all over, as much of hisface and hands as he could reach. 

"Oh, that dirty thing--faugh! How can you, Joel Pepper!" cried Percy indistress. 

But Joel didn't even hear him, being occupied in setting the dog on theground to try his paces. 

"No, he's not hurt, after all, I guess, " he decided, "but look at hisribs, --he's half starved. "

"I don't want to look at them, " said Percy, turning his back, "and youought to let him alone; that bell will ring in half a second, JoelPepper!"

"True enough!" cried Joel. "Come on, Perky, " this being the school nameof the older Whitney, and he picked up the dog, and shot off. 

"What are you going to do with that dog?" yelled Percy after him. But aswell talk to the wind, as Joel arrived hot and breathless at the bigdoor long before him. 

Luckily for him, none of the boys were about; and Joel, cramming the dogwell under his jacket, plunged up the stairs, and down the hall to hisroom. 

"Joe!" roared two or three voices; but he turned a deaf ear, and got insafely; slammed to the door, and then drew a long breath. 

"_Whew!_ Almost caught that time, " was all he had the wind to say. "Well, now, it's good Dave isn't in, 'cause I can tell him slowly, andget him used to it. " All this time he was drawing out his dog from itsplace of refuge, and putting it first on the bed, then on the floor, tostudy it better. 

It certainly was as far removed from being even a good-looking dog aspossible. Having never in its life had the good fortune to hear itspedigree spoken of, it was simply an ill-favored cur that looked as ifit had exchanged the back yard of a tenement house for the greaterdangers of the open street. Its yellow neck was marked where a cruelcord had almost worn into the flesh, and every one of its ribs stuck outas Joel had said, till they insisted on being counted by a strictobserver. 

Joel threw his arms around the beast. "Oh dear!" he groaned, "you'restarved to death. What have I got to give you?" He wrinkled his foreheadin great distress. "Oh goody!" He snatched the dog up, and bore him tothe closet, then pulled down a box from the shelf above. "Mamsie'scake--how prime!" And not stopping to cut a piece, he broke off a goodlywedge. "Now then, get in with you, " and he thrust him deep into onecorner, cramming the cake up to his nose. "Stay there on my side, anddon't get over on Dave's shoes. _Whee!_"

The dog, in seizing the cake, had taken Joel's thumb as well. 

"Let go there, " cried Joel; "well, you can't swallow my thumb, " as thecake disappeared in one lump; and he gave a sigh for the plums withwhich Mamsie always liberally supplied the school cakes, nowdisappearing so fast, as much as for the nip he had received. 

The dog turned his black, beady eyes sharply for more cake. When he sawthat it wasn't coming, he licked Joel's thumb; and in his crampedquarters on top of a heap of shoes and various other things not exactlyclassified, he tried hard to wag his stump of a tail. 

"Whickets! there goes that bell! Now see here, don't you dare to stirfor your life! You've got to stay in this closet till to-morrow--thenI'll see what to do for you. Lie down, I tell you. "

There was a small scuffle; and then the dog, realizing here was amaster, curled himself on top of some tennis shoes, and looked as if heheld his breath. 

"All right, " said Joel, with an approving pat. "Now don't you yip, evenif Dave opens this door. " Then he shut it carefully, and rushed off downto the long dining-room to the crowd of boys. 

Joel ate his supper as rapidly as possible, lost to the chatter going onaround him. He imagined, in his feverishness, that he heard faint "yaps"every now and then; and he almost expected to see everybody lay downknife and fork. 

"What's the matter with you?" He was aroused by seeing the boy next tohim lean forward to peer into his face. And in a minute he was consciousthat on the other side he was just as much of an object of attention. Heburied his face in his glass of milk; but when he took it out, they werestaring still the same. 

"Ugh! stop your looking at me, " growled Joel. 

"What's the matter with you, anyway?" asked the other boy. 

"Get away--nothing, " said Joel crossly, and bestowing as much of a kickas he dared on the other boy's shin. 

"Ow! There is too. "

"You're awfully funny, " said the first boy, "you haven't spoken a wordsince you sat down. "

"Well, I ain't going to talk, if I don't want to, " declared Joel. "Dostop, Fletcher; everybody's looking. "

But Fletcher wouldn't stop, and Joel had the satisfaction of seeing thewhole table, with the under-teacher, Mr. Harrow, at the head, makinghim, between their mouthfuls, the centre of observation. The onlyalleviation of this misery was that Percy was at another table, and withhis back to him. 

David looked across in a worried way. "Are you sick, Joe?" he asked. 

"No. " Joel laughed, and began to eat busily. When he saw that, Davidgave a sigh of relief. 

Mr. Harrow was telling something just then that seemed of more thancommon interest, and the boys, hearing Joel laugh once more, turned offto listen. "Yes, " said the under-teacher, "it was a dog that was--"

"Ugh!" cried Joel. "Oh, beg pardon, " and his face grew dreadfully red, as he tried to get as small as possible on his chair. 

"It's a dog I used to own, Joel, " said Mr. Harrow, smiling at him. "AndI taught him tricks, several quite remarkable ones. "

"Yes, sir, " mumbled Joel, taking a big bite of his biscuit; and for thenext quarter of an hour he was safe, as the funny stories lasted tillback went the chairs, and the evening meal was over. 

To say that Joel's life was an easy one till bedtime, would be very farfrom the truth. Strange to say, David did not go to the closet once. Tobe sure, there was a narrow escape that made Joel's heart leap to hismouth. 

"Let's have Mamsie's cake, Joe, to-night, " said David in an aside tohim. The room was full of boys; it was just before study hour, and howto tell David of the dog, was racking Joe's powers of mind. 

"Ugh!--no, not to-night, Dave. " He was so very decided that althoughDavid was puzzled at his manner, he gave it up without a question. Andthen came study hour when all the boys must be down in "Long Hall, " andJoel lingered behind the others. "I'll be down in a minute. " He flewover to the closet, broke off another generous wedge of Mamsie's cake, stifling a second sigh as he thought of the plums. "You haven't eaten myhalf yet, " he said as the dog swallowed it whole without winking. "Keepstill now. " He slammed to the door again, and was off, his books underhis arm. 

And after the two boys went up to bed, David was too tired and sleepy totalk, and hopped into his bed so quickly that long before Joel wasundressed he was off to dreamland. 

"That's good, --now I haven't got to tell him till morning. " Joel wentover to the other bed in the corner, and listened to the regularbreathing, then tiptoed softly off to the closet, first putting out thelight. "I know what I'm going to do. " He got down on all-fours, and puthis hand out softly over the pile of shoes, till he felt the dog's mangyback. "I'm going to take you in my bed; you'll smother in here. Now, sir!" The dog was ready enough to be quiet, only occupied in lickingJoel's hands. So Joel jumped into his bed, carrying his charge, andhuddled down under the clothes. 

After being quite sure that he was really to remain in this paradise, the dog began to turn around and around to find exactly the bestposition in which to settle down for the night. This took him so long, interrupted as the process was with so many lickings of Joel's brownface, that it looked as if neither would get very much sleep thatnight; Joel, not averse to this lengthy operation, hugging his dog andpatting him, to his complete demoralization just as he was about toquiet down. 

At last even Joel was tired, and his eyes drooped. "Now go tosleep"--with a final pat--"I'm going to call you Sinbad. " Joel, havingalways been mightily taken with Sinbad the Sailor, felt that no othername could be quite good enough for his new treasure. And Sinbad, realizing that a call to repose had actually been given, curled up, inas round a ball as he could, under Joel's chin, and both were soon soundasleep. 

It was near the middle of the night. Joel had been dreaming of his oldmenagerie and circus he had once in the little brown house, in whichthere were not only trained dogs who could do the most wonderfulthings, --strange to say, now they were all of them yellow, and hadstumpy tails, --but animals and reptiles of the most delightful variety, never seen in any other show on earth; when a noise, that at oncesuggested a boy screaming "_Ow!_" struck upon his ear, and brought himbolt upright in his bed. He pawed wildly around, but Sinbad was nowhereto be found. 

XI THE UNITED CLUBS

The whole dormitory was in an uproar. "_Ow!_ help--help!" Mr. Harrow, having gone out after dinner, had retired late, and was now soundasleep, so another instructor scaled the stairs, getting there longbefore Mrs. Fox, the matron, could put in an appearance. 

In the babel, it was somewhat difficult to locate the boy who hadscreamed out. At last, "In there, Farnham's room, " cried several voicesat once. 

"Nightmare, I suppose, " said the instructor to himself, dashing in. 

But it was a real thing he soon saw, as a knot of boys huddled aroundthe bed, where the terrified occupant still sat, drawing up his knees tohis chin, and screaming all sorts of things, in which "wild beast" and"cold nose" was all that could be distinguished. 

[Illustration: JUST THEN SOMETHING SKIMMED OUT FROM THE CORNER. ]

"Stop this noise!" commanded the instructor, who had none of Mr. Harrow's pleasant but decided ways for quelling an incipient riot. Sothey bawled on, the boy in bed yelling that he wouldn't be left alone. 

Just then something skimmed out from the corner; the boys flew to oneside, showing a tendency to find the door. Even the instructor jumped. Then he bethought himself to light the gas, which brought out the factthat there certainly was an animal in the room, as they could hear itnow under the bed. 

"Boys, be quiet. Mrs. Fox's cat has got up here, probably, " said theinstructor. But the boy in the bed protested that it wasn't a cat thathad waked him up by thrusting a cold nose in his face, and jumping ontop of him. And he huddled worse than ever now that it was under him;yet afraid to step out on the floor. 

Even the instructor did not offer to look under the bed, when JoelPepper rushed in, his black eyes gleaming. "Oh, it's my dog!" he cried. 

"It's Joe Pepper's dog!" cried the whole roomful, nearly tumbling overeach other. 

"And when did you begin to keep a dog, Joel Pepper?" hurled theinstructor at him, too angry for anything, that he hadn't impressed theboys with his courage. 

But Joel was occupied in ramming his body under the bed as far aspossible. "Here, Sinbad, " and he presently emerged with a very red face, and Sinbad safely in his arms, who seemed perfectly delighted to getinto his old refuge again. David had now joined the group, as muchaghast as every other spectator. 

"Do you hear me, Joel Pepper?" thundered the instructor again. "When didyou get that dog?" This brought Joel to. 

"Oh, I haven't had him long, sir, " he said, and trembling for Sinbad, ashe felt in every fibre of his being that the beast's fate was sealed, unless he could win over the irritated teacher. "He's a poor dog I--Ifound, sir, " wishing he could think of the right words, and knowing thatevery word he uttered only made matters worse. 

"David, " cried the instructor, catching Davie's eye, down by the door, "do you know anything about this dog?"

"No, sir, " said David, all in a tremble, and wishing he could saysomething to help Joel out. 

"Well, now, you wait a minute. " The instructor, feeling that here was achance to impress the boys with his executive ability, looked about overthe table where Farnham's schoolbooks were thrown. "Got a bit ofstring? No--oh, yes. " He pounced on a piece, and came over to Joel andthe dog. 

"What are you going to do, sir?" Joel hung to Sinbad with a tighter gripthan ever. 

"Never mind; it's not for you to question me, " said the instructor, withgreat authority. 

But Joel edged away. Visions of being expelled from Dr. Marks' schoolswam before his eyes, and he turned very white. 

David plunged through the crowd of boys, absolutely still with theexcitement. "Oh Joel, " he begged hoarsely, "let Mr. Parr do as he wantsto. Mamsie would say so. "

Joel turned at that. "Don't hurt him, " he begged. "Don't, please, Mr. Parr. "

"I shall not hurt him, " said Mr. Parr, putting the cord about the dog'sneck, and holding the other end, after it was knotted fast. "I am goingto tie him in the area till morning. Here you, sir, " as Sinbad showedlively intentions toward his captor's legs, with a backward glance athis late master. 

"Oh, if you'll let me keep him in my room, Mr. Parr, " cried Joel, tumbling over to the instructor, who was executing a series ofremarkable steps as he dragged Sinbad off, "I'll--I'll be just asgood--just till the morning, sir. Oh, _please_, Mr. Parr--I'll study, and get my lessons better, I truly will, " cried poor Joel, unable topromise anything more difficult of performance. 

"You'll have to study better anyway, Joel Pepper, " said Mr. Parr grimly, as he and Sinbad disappeared down the stairway. "Every boy get back tohis room, " was the parting command. 

No need to tell Joel. He dashed through the ranks, and flung himselfinto his bed, dragged up the clothes well over his stubby head, andcried as if his heart would break. 

"Joel--Joel--oh, Joey!" begged David hoarsely, and running toprecipitate himself by his side. But Joel only burrowed deeper andsobbed on. 

And Davie, trying to keep awake, to give possible comfort, at lasttumbled asleep, when Joel with a flood of fresh sorrow rolled over asnear to the wall as he could get, and tried to hold in his sobs. 

As soon as he dared the next morning, Joel hopped over David stillasleep, and out of bed; jumped into his clothes, and ran softlydownstairs. There in the area was Sinbad, who had evidently concludedto make the best of it, and accept the situation, for he was curled upin as small a compass as possible, and was even attempting a littlesleep. 

"I won't let him see me, " said Joel to himself, "but as soon as Dr. Marks is up"--and he glanced over at the master's house for any sign ofthings beginning to move for the day--"and dressed, why, I'll go and askhim--" what, he didn't dare to say, for Joel hadn't been able, with allhis thinking, to devise any plan whereby Sinbad could be saved. 

"But perhaps Dr. Marks will know, " he kept thinking; and after a whilethe shades were drawn up at the red brick house across the yard, thehousemaid came out to brush off the steps, and various other indicationsshowed that the master was beginning to think of the new day and itsduties. 

Joel plunged across the yard. It was awful, he knew, to intrude at themaster's house before breakfast. But by that time--oh, dreadful!--Sinbadwould probably be beyond the help of any rescuing hand, for Mr. Parrwould, without a doubt, deliver him to the garbage man to be hauledoff. And Joel, with no thought of consequences to himself, plungedrecklessly on. 

"Is Dr. Marks up?" he demanded of the housemaid, who only stared at him, and went on with her work of sweeping off the steps. "Is Dr. Marks up?"cried Joel, his black eyes flashing, and going halfway up. 

"Yes; but what of it?" cried the housemaid airily, leaning on her brooma minute. 

"Oh, I must see him, " cried Joel, bounding into the hall. It was such acry of distress that it penetrated far within the house. 

"Oh my! you outrageous boy!" exclaimed the housemaid, shaking her broomat him. "You come right out. "

Meantime a voice said, "What is it?" And there was Dr. Marks in dressinggown and slippers looking over the railing at the head of the stairs. 

"Oh Dr. Marks, Dr. Marks!" Joel, not giving himself time to think, dashed over the stairs, to look up into the face under the iron-grayhair. 

The master could scarcely conceal his amazement, but he made a braveeffort at self-control. 

"Why, Pepper!" he exclaimed, and there was a good deal of displeasure inface and manner; so much so that Joel's knees knocked smartly together, and everything swam before his eyes. 

"Well, what did you want to see me for, Pepper?" Dr. Marks wasinquiring, so Joel blurted out, "A dog, sir. "

"A _dog_?" repeated Dr. Marks, and now he showed his amazement anddispleasure as well. "And is this what you have interrupted me to say, at this unseasonable hour, Joel Pepper?"

"Oh!" cried Joel, and then he broke right down, and went flat on thestairs, crying as if his heart would break. And Mrs. Marks threw on herpretty blue wrapper in a dreadful tremor, and rushed out withrestoratives; and the housemaid who shook her broom at Joel, ran onremorseful feet for a glass of water, and the master's whole house wasin a ferment. But Dr. Marks waved them all aside. "The boy needsnothing, " he said. "Come, Joel. " He took his hand, all grimy andstreaked, and looked at his poor, swollen eyelids and nose, over whichthe tears were still falling, and in a minute he had him in his ownprivate study, with the door shut. 

When he emerged a quarter-hour after, Joel was actually smiling. He hadhold of the master's hand, and clutched in his other fist was a note, somewhat changed in appearance from its immaculate condition whendelivered by Dr. Marks to the bearer. 

"Yes, sir, " Joel was saying, "I'll do it all just as you say, sir. " Andhe ran like lightning across the yard. 

The note put into the instructor's hand, made him change countenancemore than once in the course of its reading. It simply said, for it wasvery short, that the dog was to be delivered to Joel Pepper, who was tobring it to the master's house; and although there wasn't a line or evena word to show any disapproval of his course, Mr. Parr felt, as he setabout obeying it, as if somehow he had made a little mistake somewhere. 

All Joel thought of, however, was to get possession of Sinbad. And whenonce he had the cord in his hand, he untied it with trembling fingers, Sinbad, in his transport, hampering the operation dreadfully by bobbinghis head about in his violent efforts to lick Joel's face and hands, forhe had about given up in despair the idea of ever seeing him again. 

"He's glad to go, isn't he, Joel?" observed the instructor, to break theice, and make conversation. 

But no such effort was necessary, for Joel looked up brightly. "Isn'the, sir? Now say good-bye. " At last the string was loose, and danglingto the hook in the area wall, and Joel held the dog up, and stuck outhis paw. 

"Good-bye, " said Mr. Parr, laughing as he took it, and quite relieved tofind that relations were not strained after all, as Joel, hugging hisdog, sped hastily across the yard again to the master's house. 

Dr. Marks never told how very ugly he found the dog, but, summoning theman who kept his garden and lawn in order, he consigned Sinbad to hiscare, with another note. 

"Now, Joel, " he said, "you know this payment comes every week out ofyour allowance for this dog's keeping, eh? It is clearly understood, Joel?"

"Oh, yes, sir--yes!" shouted Joel. 

"Perhaps we'll be able to find a good home for him. Well, good-bye, Sinbad, " said the master, as Sinbad, with the gardener's hand over hiseyes, so that he could not see Joel, was marched off, Dr. Marks from theveranda charging that the note be delivered and read before leaving thedog. 

"Oh, I'm going to take him home at vacation, " announced Joel decidedly. 

"Indeed! Well, now, perhaps your grandfather won't care for him; youmust not count too much upon it, my boy. " All the control in the worldcould not keep the master from smiling now. 

"Oh, I guess he will. " Joel was in no wise disturbed by the doubt. 

"Well, run along to breakfast with you, Pepper, " cried Dr. Marksgood-humoredly, "and the next time you come over to see me, don't bringany more dogs. "

So Joel, in high good spirits, and thinking how he would soon run downto the little old cobbler's where the master had sent the dog, chasedoff across the yard once more, and slipped in to breakfast with aterrible appetite, and a manner as if nothing especial had happened thepreceding night. 

And all the boys rubbed their eyes, particularly as Joel and Mr. Parrseemed to be on the best of terms. And once when something was saidabout a dog by Mr. Harrow, who hadn't heard anything of the midnighttumult in the dormitory, and was for continuing the account of histrained pet, the other under-teacher and Joel Pepper indulged in smilesand nods perfectly mystifying to all the other people at the table, David included. 

David, when he woke up, which was quite late, to find Joel gone, hadbeen terribly frightened. But chancing to look out of the window, he sawhim racing across the yard, and watching closely, he discovered that hehad something in his arms, and that he turned in to the master's house. 

"I can't do anything now, " said Davie to himself in the greatestdistress; yet somehow when he came to think of it, it seemed to be witha great deal of hope since Dr. Marks was to be appealed to. And whenbreakfast-time came, and with it Joel so blithe and hungry, David fellto on his own breakfast with a fine appetite. 

 * * * * *

All the boys of the club, not one to be reported absent, presentedthemselves at Mr. King's on club night. And all the members of the"Salisbury School Club" came promptly together, with one new member, Cathie Harrison, who, at Polly's suggestion, had been voted in at thelast meeting. 

Alexia still had her arm in a sling; and indeed she was quite willing itshould remain so, for she was in constant terror that her aunt, who hadbeen persuaded to leave her, would insist on the return home. So Alexiabegged off at every mention of the subject, as Grandpapa King and MotherFisher were very glad to have the visit lengthened. She was as gay asever, and to-night was quite in her element; it had been so long sinceshe had had a good time. 

"Oh, Jasper, " she cried, "can we all get into your den?"

"I think so, " said Jasper, who had already settled all that with Polly, counting every member as coming, in order to make no mistake, "we're tohave the business-meeting in there, Alexia; and after that, father hasinvited us in to the drawing-room. "

"What richness!" exclaimed Alexia, sinking into one of the librarychairs to pull out her skirts and play with her rings. "Oh, Jasper King, I shouldn't think you'd ever in all this world get used to living inthis perfectly exquisite house. "

"Well, I've always lived here, Alexia, " said Jasper with a laugh, "so Isuppose that is the reason I'm not overwhelmed now. Oh, here comesClare. All right, old fellow, glad you've come. Now I'll call themeeting to order. " For Clare was the secretary. 

And the rest of the boys and girls assembling, the business-meeting wassoon begun in the "den, " Jasper who was the president of the boys' club, flourishing his gavel in great style. 

"Now we've come together, " announced the president after the regularbusiness was disposed of, "to get up a plan by which we can accomplishsomething more than merely to have a good time. "

"Nonsense!" interrupted Clare, "we want a good time. "

"For shame!" Jasper pounded his gavel to restore order. "And to beginwith, it is as well to announce at once that all unruly members will beput out, " with a stern glance at the secretary. 

"Oh, dear me!" exclaimed Clare, huddling down into his big chair. 

"Go along, Prex, " said Pickering, coming over from the other side of theroom, "I'll sit on that old secretary if he makes any more trouble. "

"Get away!" laughed Clare; "that's worse than being put out. "

"Oh, I'll sit on you first, and then I'll carry out the piecesafterward. Sail on, Prexy, they all want the plan. "

"Well"--the president cleared his throat--"hem! And in order to do goodwork, why we had to ask the girls' club to come to this meeting, and--"

"Not necessarily, " put in Clare. 

Pickering pounced for him, but instead of sitting on him, his longfigure doubled up in the big chair, while the secretary slipped neatlyout. 

"Ha, ha! did you ever get left?" giggled Clare, at a safe distance. 

"Many a time, my dear child, " said Pickering coolly, leaning backrestfully, "but never in such a good seat. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Proceed, Prexy. "

"Good for you, Pickering, " cried Alexia, while the laugh went around. 

"Order!" cried Jasper, pounding away. "Now that our troublesomesecretary is quieted, I will proceed to say that as we want the plan tosucceed, we invited the Salisbury Club this evening. "

"Thank you, Mr. President, " the girls clapped vigorously. 

"So now after I tell you of the object, I want you to express yourminds about the various plans that will be laid before you. " Then Jaspertold the story of Jim, the brakeman; and how Grandpapa and Polly and hehad gone to the poor home, thanks to the little clerk; and how the threeboys who were waiting for education and the girl who was crazy to takemusic-lessons, to say nothing of the two mites of children toddlingaround, made the poor widow almost frantic as she thought of theirsupport; until some of the girls were sniffling and hunting for theirhandkerchiefs, and the boys considerately turned away and wouldn't lookat them. 

"Now you tell the rest, Polly, " cried Jasper, quite tired out. 

"Oh, no, you tell, " said Polly, who dearly loved to hear Jasper talk. 

"Do, Polly, " and he pushed the hair off from his forehead. So, as shesaw he really wanted her to, Polly began with shining eyes, and glowingcheeks, to finish the story. 

And she told how Grandpapa had ordered provisions and coal for the poorwidow enough for many months to come; and how--oh, wasn't that perfectlysplendid in dear Grandpapa?--he had promised that the little girl(Arethusa was her name) should take music-lessons from one of theteachers in the city. And Polly clasped her hands and sighed, quiteunable to do more. 

"And what do you want us to do?" cried the secretary forgetting allabout losing his seat, to crowd up to the table. "Say, if that familyhas got all that richness, what do you want the club to do?"

"Oh, " said Polly turning her shining eyes on him, "there are ever andever so many things the boys and that girl will need, and Grandpapa saysthat they'll think a great deal more of help, if some young people takehold of it. And so I'm sure I should, " she added. 

"It strikes me that I should, too, " declared Pickering, all his lazinessgone. And getting his long figure out of the chair, he cried, "I move, Mr. President, that we, "--here he waved his hands in a sweepinggesture, --"the Salisbury Club and our club, unite in a plan to dosomething for that family. "

"I second the motion, " the secretary cried out, much to everybody'ssurprise, for Polly was all ready to do it if no one else offered to. Sothe vote was carried unanimously amid the greatest enthusiasm. 

"Now what shall we do?" cried the president, jumping to his feet. "Letus strike while the iron is hot. What shall we do to raise money?"

"You said you had plans, " cried one of the girls. 

"Yes--tell on, " cried several boys. 

"Well, one is, that we have a play, " began Jasper. 

"Oh--oh!"

Old Mr. King, over his evening paper off in the library, laid it down, and smiled at the merry din that reached him even at such a distance. 

"And another, " cried the president, doing his best to make himselfheard. 

"Oh, we don't want another, " cried Clare, in which the united clubsjoined. 

"Don't you want to hear any other plans?" shouted the president. 

"No, no--the play! Put it to vote, do, Jasper--I mean, Mr. President, "cried Alexia. 

So the vote was taken, and everybody said, "Aye, " and as there wasn't asingle "No, " why the "ayes" had it of course. And after that they talkedso long over the general plan, that old Mr. King at last had to send avery special invitation to come out to the dining-room. And there wasMother Fisher and Mrs. Whitney and the little doctor and a most splendidcollation! And then off to the big drawing-room to top off with a dance, with one or two musicians tucked up by the grand piano, and Grandpapasmiling in great satisfaction upon them all. 

XII SOME EVERY-DAY FUN

"It can't rain, " cried Polly Pepper, "and it isn't going to. Don't thinkit, girls. "

"But it looks just like it, " said Alexia obstinately, and wrinkling upher brows; "see those awful, horrid clouds, girls. " She pointedtragically up to the sky. 

"Don't look at them, " advised Polly. "Come on, girls. I challenge you toa race as far as the wicket gate. "

Away she dashed, with a bevy at her heels. Alexia, not to be left behindstaring at the sky, went racing after. 

"Wait, " she screamed. The racers, however, spent no time attending tolaggards, but ran on. 

Polly dashed ahead, and touched the green wicket gate. "Oh, Polly gotthere first!" Almost immediately came another girl's fingers on it. 

"No--I don't think so, " panted Polly. "Philena got there just about assoon. "

"No, you were first, " said the girl who plunged up next; "I saw itdistinctly. "

"Well, it was so near that we ought to have another race to decide it, "declared Polly, with a little laugh, pushing back the damp rings of hairfrom her forehead. "Girls, isn't it lovely that we have this splendidplace where we can run, and nobody see us?"

"Yes, " said Alexia, throwing herself down on the grass; which examplewas immediately followed by all the other girls. "I just love thisavenue down to the wicket gate, Polly Pepper. "

"So do I, " chimed in the others. 

"Oh dear me! I'm just toasted and fried, " declared Alexia. "I never_was_ so hot in all my life. "

"You shouldn' have run so, Alexia, " said Polly reproachfully, pattingthe arm still in its sling. "Oh, how could you!"

"Well, did you suppose I was going to see you all sprinting off andhaving such fun, and not try it too? No, indeed; that's asking too much, Polly. "

Then she threw herself at full length on the grass, and gazed at hermeditatively. 

"Well, we mustn't have the second race, Philena, " said Polly; "becauseif Alexia runs again, it surely will hurt her. "

"_Ow!_" exclaimed Alexia, flouncing up so suddenly that she nearlyoverthrew Amy Garrett, who was sitting next, and who violently protestedagainst such treatment, "now I won't keep you back, Polly. Oh dear me!it can't hurt me a single bit. I'm all ready to take off this horribleold thing, you know I am, only Dr. Fisher thought--"

"He thought it would be safer to keep it on till after the picnic, "Polly was guilty of interrupting. "You know he said so, Alexia. No, wewon't run again, girls, " Polly brought up quite decidedly. 

"Polly, you shall; I won't run--I really won't; I'll shut my eyes, " andAlexia squinted up her pale eyes till her face was drawn up in a knot. "I'll turn my back, I'll do anything if you'll only race; _please_ tryit again, Polly. "

So Polly, seeing that Alexia really wished it, dropped a kiss on each ofthe closed eyes. "Put your hand over them, and untwist your face fromthat funny knot, " she laughed. "Come on, girls, " and the race began. 

Alexia twisted and wriggled, as the pattering feet and quick breath ofthe girls when they neared her resting place, plunged her in dreadfuldistress not to look. "Oh dear--um! if I could just see once; um--_um_!I know Polly will win; oh dear! She _must_. "

But she didn't. It was Cathie Harrison, the new girl; that is, new tothem, as they hadn't drawn her into their set, but a few weeks. She wasa tall, thin girl, who got over the ground amazingly, to touch the greenwicket gate certainly three seconds before Polly Pepper came flying up. 

"You did that just splendidly, Cathie, " cried Polly breathlessly. "Ohdear me, that _was_ a race!"

"Goodness me!" cried Alexia, her eyes flying open, "my face never'll getout of that knot in all this world. My! I feel as if my jaws were alltied up. Well, Polly, this time you beat for sure, " she addedconfidently, as the girls came running up to throw themselves on thegrass again. 

"But I didn't, " said Polly merrily. "Oh dear! I _am_ so hot. "

"Yes, you did, " declared Alexia stubbornly. 

"Why, Alexia Rhys! I didn't beat, any such a thing, " correctedPolly--"not a single bit of it. "

"Well, who did, then?" demanded Alexia, quite angry to have Pollydefeated. 

"Why, Cathie did, " said Polly, smiling over at her. 

"What, that old--" then Alexia pulled herself up; but it was too late. 

A dull red mounted to Cathie's sallow cheek, that hadn't changed colorduring all the two races. She drew a long breath, then got up slowly toher feet. 

"I'm going to play bean-bags, " announced Polly briskly. "Come on, girls. See who'll get to the house first. "

"I'm going home, " said Cathie, hurrying up to wedge herself into thegroup, and speaking to Polly. "Good-bye. "

"No, " said Polly, "we're going to play bean-bags. Come on, Cathie. " Shetried to draw Cathie's hand within her arm, but the girl pulled herselfaway. "I must go home--" and she started off. 

"Cathie--_Cathie_, wait, " but again Cathie beat her on a swift run downthe avenue. 

Alexia stuffed her fingers, regardless of arm in the sling, oranything, into her mouth, and rolled over in dreadful distress, facedownward on the grass. The other girls stood in a frightened littleknot, just where they were, without moving, as Polly came slowly backdown the avenue. She was quite white now. "Oh dear!" groaned Philena, "look at Polly!"

Alexia heard it, and stuffed her fingers worse than ever into her mouthto keep herself from screaming outright, and wriggled dreadfully. But noone paid any attention to her. She knew that Polly had joined the girlsnow; she could hear them talking, and Polly was saying, in a sad littlevoice, "Yes, I'm afraid she won't ever come with us again. "

"She must, she shall!" howled Alexia, rolling over, and sitting upstraight. "Oh Polly, she shall!" and she wrung her long hands as well asshe could for the arm in the sling. 

"Oh, no, I am afraid not, Alexia, " and her head drooped; no one wouldhave thought for a moment that it was Polly Pepper speaking. 

And then Amy Garrett said the very worst thing possible: "And just thinkof that picnic!" And after that remark, the whole knot of girls wasplunged into the depths of gloom. 

Jasper, running down the avenue with Pickering Dodge at his heels, foundthem so, and was transfixed with astonishment. "Well, I declare!" Heburst into a merry laugh. 

"You look like a lot of wax figures, " said Pickering pleasantly; "justabout as interesting. " Then they saw Polly Pepper's face. 

"Oh, what is it?" cried Jasper, starting forward. 

Polly tried to speak cheerfully, but the lump in her throat wouldn't lether say a word. 

"If you boys must know, " said Alexia, flouncing up to her feet, "I'vebeen bad and perfectly horrid to that Harrison girl; and I've upseteverything; and--and--do go right straight away, both of you, and notstand there staring. I don't think it's very polite. "

"Oh Polly, " cried Jasper, gaining her side, "can't we help?" He wasdreadfully distressed. "Do let us. "

Polly shook her head. "No, Jasper, there isn't anything you can do, " shesaid brokenly. 

Pickering thrust his hands in his pockets, and whistled softly. "Girlsalways get into such rows, " he observed. 

"Well, I guess we don't get into worse ones than you boys do, nor halfas bad, " cried Alexia crossly, perfectly wild to quarrel with somebody. "And, besides, this isn't the other girls' fault. It's all my fight frombeginning to end. "

"Then you ought to be perfectly ashamed of yourself, Alexia, " declaredPickering, not intending to mince matters in the slightest. 

"Well, I am, " said Alexia, "just as ashamed as I can be. Oh dear me! Iwish I could cry. But I'm too bad to cry. Polly Pepper, I'm going to runafter that horrible Harrison girl. Oh misery! I wish she never had cometo the Salisbury School. " Alexia made a mad rush down the avenue. 

"Don't, Alexia, you'll hurt your arm, " warned Polly. 

"I don't care--I hope I shall, " cried Alexia recklessly. 

"It's no use to try to stop her, " said Jasper, "so let us go up to thehouse, Polly. "

So they started dismally enough, the girls, all except Polly, going overin sorry fashion how Cathie Harrison would probably make a fuss aboutthe little affair--she was doubtless on her way to Miss Salisbury'snow--and then perhaps there wouldn't be any picnic at all on themorrow. At this, Philena stopped short. "Girls, that would be toodreadful, " she gasped, "for anything!"

"Well, it would be just like her, " said Silvia Horne, "and I wish wenever had taken her into our set. She's an old moping thing, and can'tbear a word. "

"I wish so too, " declared Amy Garrett positively; "she doesn't belongwith us; and she's always going to make trouble. And I hope she won't goto the picnic anyway, if we do have it, so there. "

"I don't think that is the way to mend the matter, Amy, " said Jaspergravely. 

"Hoh, hoh!" exclaimed Pickering, "how you girls can go on so, I don'tsee; talking forever about one thing, instead of just settling it with afew fisticuffs. That would be comfortable now. "

The girls, one and all, turned a cold shoulder to him after this speech. 

"Well, we sha'n't get the picnic now, I know, " said Philena tragically;"and think of all our nice things ready. Dear me! our cook made me thesweetest chocolate cakes, because we were going to start so early in themorning. Now we'll have them for dinner, and eat them up ourselves. Wemight as well. "

"You better not, " advised Pickering. "Take my advice; you'll get yourpicnic all right; then where would you be with your cakes all eaten up?"

"You don't know Miss Salisbury, " said Sally Moore gloomily; "nothingwould make her so mad as to have us get up a fuss with a new scholar. She was so pleased when Polly Pepper invited that Harrison girl to cometo our bee for that poor family down South. "

"And now, just think how we've initiated her into our club!" said LucyBennett, with a sigh. "Oh my goodness--look!"

She pointed off down the avenue. All the girls whirled around to stare. There were Alexia and Cathie, coming toward them arm in arm. 

"Jasper"--Polly turned to him with shining eyes--"see!" Then she brokeaway from them all, and rushed to meet the two girls. 

"There isn't anybody going to say a word, " announced Alexia, as thethree girls came up to the group, Polly Pepper in the middle, "because, as I told you, it was all my fight, anyway. So, Pickering, you needn'tget ready to be disagreeable, " she flashed over at him saucily. 

"I shall say just what I think, " declared Pickering flatly. 

"No doubt, " said Alexia sweetly, "but it won't make a bit of difference. Well, now, Polly, what shall we do? Do start us on something. "

"We came, Pick and I, " announced Jasper, "to ask you girls to have agame of bean-bags. There's just time before dinner--on the south lawn, Polly. "

"Oh, good--good!" cried the girls, clapping their hands. "Come on, Cathie, " said Philena awkwardly, determined to break the ice at once. 

"Yes, Cathie, come on, " said Amy and Silvia, trying to be very nice. 

Cathie just got her mouth ready to say, "No, I thank you, " primly, thought better of it, and before she quite realized it herself, thereshe was, hurrying by a short cut across the grass to the south lawn. 

"I'm going to stay with Alexia, " said Polly, when they all reachedthere, and Jasper flew over to pull out the bean-bags from their boxunder the piazza. "Come on, Alexia, let's you and I sit in the hammockand watch it. "

"Oh Polly, come and play, " begged Jasper, pausing with his arms full. "Here, Pick, you lazy dog. Help with these bags. "

"Can't, " said Polly, shaking her head. So Alexia and she curled up inone of the hammocks. 

"I'm just dying to tell you all about it, Polly Pepper, " said Alexia, pulling Polly's cheek down to her own. 

"Yes, " said Polly happily, "and I can't wait to hear it; and besides, you can't play bean-bags, Alexia, with that arm. Well, do go on, " andPolly was in quite a twitter for the story to begin. 

"You see, " said Alexia, "I knew something desperate had got to be done, Polly, for she was crying all over her best silk waist. "

"Oh dear me!" exclaimed Polly, aghast. 

"Yes; she had sat down on the kitchen step. "

"The kitchen step, " repeated Polly faintly. 

"Yes. I suppose she got beyond caring whether the cook saw or not, shewas feeling so very badly. Well, there she was, and she didn't hear me, so I just rushed up, or rather down upon her, and then I screamed 'Ow!'And she jumped up, and said, 'Oh, have you hurt your arm?' And I held onto it hard, and made up an awful face, oh, as bad as I could, anddoubled up; and the cook came to the door, and said could she get meanything, and she was going to call Mrs. Fisher. That would have beenterrible. " Alexia broke off short, and drew a long breath at herremembrance of the fright this suggestion had given her. "And Cathiefell right on my neck with, 'Oh, do forgive me, ' and I said 'twas myfault, and she said, no, she oughtn't to have got mad, and I said shemust hold her tongue. "

"Oh Alexia!" cried Polly reprovingly. 

"I had to, " said Alexia serenely, "or we should have gotten into anotherfight. And she said she would, and I just took hold of her arm, anddragged her down here. And I'm tired to death, " finished Alexiaplaintively. 

"Alexia, " exclaimed Polly, cuddling up the long figure in a way to giveperfect satisfaction, "we must make Cathie Harrison have the best timethat she ever had, at the picnic to-morrow. "

"I suppose so, " said Alexia resignedly. "Well, but don't let's think ofit now, for I've got you, Polly, and I want to rest. "

XIII THE PICNIC

The four barges were to leave the "Salisbury School" at preciselyhalf-past eight o'clock the next morning. Miss Salisbury was always veryparticular about being prompt, so woe be to any girl who might be late!There was great scurrying, therefore, to and fro in the homes of the dayscholars. And the girls hurried off with maids behind carrying theirbaskets; or, as the case might be, big family carriages filled withgroups of girls collected among those of a set; or in little ponycarriages. All this made the thoroughfares adjacent to the "SalisburySchool" extremely busy places indeed. 

Mother Fisher sent Polly's basket over to the school, at an early hour, Polly preferring to walk, several of the girls having called for her. Sothey all, with Jasper, who was going as far as the corner with them, setout amidst a chatter of merry nonsense. 

"Oh girls, I _am_ so glad we are going to the Glen!" exclaimed Polly, for about the fiftieth time. 

"So am I, " cried all the others in a chorus. 

"Why, you haven't ever been to any other place for your picnic, haveyou, Polly?" cried Jasper, with a laugh. 

"No, " said Polly, "we never have. But suppose Miss Salisbury had decidedto try some other spot this year; oh, just suppose it, Jasper!" and herrosy color died down on her cheek. "It would have been just too dreadfulfor anything. "

"We couldn't have had our picnic in any other place, " declared RoseHarding; "it wouldn't be the same unless it was at the Glen. "

"Dear old Glen!" cried Polly impulsively. "Jasper, it's too bad you boyscan't all come to our picnics. "

"I know it. It would be no end jolly if we only could, " said Jasperregretfully, to whom it was a great grief that the picnic couldn't takein the two schools. 

"Yes, " said Polly, with a sigh, "it would, Jasper. But Miss Salisburynever will in all this world let the boys' school join. "

"No, I suppose not, " said Jasper, stifling his longing; "well, you musttell me about it to-night, the same as always, Polly. "

"Yes, I will, Jasper, " promised Polly. So he turned the corner, to go tohis school. But presently he heard rapid footsteps back of him. "OhJasper, " cried Polly, flushed and panting, as he whirled about, "tellPhronsie I won't forget the little fern-roots. Be sure, Jasper. "

"All right; I will, " said Jasper. "Dear me! do hurry back, Polly. You'llbe late. "

"Oh no, there are oceans of time, " said Polly, with a little laugh. "I've the tin case in my picnic basket, Jasper, so they will keep allfresh and nice. "

"Yes; do hurry back, " begged Jasper. So Polly, with a merry nod, racedoff to the corner where the girls were drawn up in a knot, impatientlywaiting for her. 

Every bit of the fuss and parade in getting the big company started--forall the scholars went to the annual picnic--was a special delight to thegirls. The only trouble was that the seats were not all end ones, whilethe favorite places up by the driver were necessarily few in eachvehicle. 

"Come on, Polly, " screamed Alexia. Everybody had agreed that she shouldhave one of these choice positions because of her lame arm, which Dr. Fisher had said must be carried in its sling this day. So there she was, calling lustily for Polly Pepper, and beating the cushion impatientlywith her well hand. "Oh, _do_ hurry up!"

Polly, down on the ground in a swarm of girls, shook her head. "No, " herlips said softly, so that no one but Alexia, who was leaning over forthat purpose, could possibly hear, "ask Cathie. "

"Oh bother!" exclaimed Alexia, with a frown. Then she smothered it upwith a "Come, Polly, " very persuasively. 

"Can't, " said Polly; "I'm going back here. " And she moved down to theend of the barge. 

"Then I'm going back too. " Alexia gave a frantic dive to get down fromthe barge. 

Miss Salisbury saw it; and as she had planned to give Alexia just thatvery pleasure of riding on the front seat, she was naturally somewhatdisturbed. "No, no, my dear, " seeing Alexia's efforts to get down, "staywhere you are. "

"Oh dear me!" Alexia craned her long neck around the side of thevehicle, to spy Polly's movements. "I don't want to be mewed up here, "she cried discontentedly. But Miss Salisbury, feeling well satisfiedwith her plan for making Alexia happy, had moved off. And the babel andtumult waged so high, over the placing of the big company, all the girlschattering and laughing at once, that Alexia, call as she might, beganto despair of attracting Polly's attention, or Cathie's either for thatmatter. 

"You better set down, " said the driver, an old man whom Miss Salisburyemployed every year to superintend the business, "and make yourselfcomfortable. "

"But I'm not in the least comfortable, " said Alexia passionately, "and Idon't want to be up here. I want to get down. "

"But you can't, "--the old man seemed to fairly enjoy herdismay, --"'cause she, you know, " pointing a short square thumb over hisshoulder in the direction of Miss Salisbury, "told ye to set still. Soye better set. "

But Alexia craned her neck yet more, and called insistently, "Polly--oh, Polly!"

Miss Anstice looked up from the bevy of girls she was settling inanother barge. "Alexia Rhys, " she said severely, "you must be quiet; itis impossible to get started unless all you girls are going to betractable and obedient. "

"Miss Anstice, "--Alexia formed a sudden bold resolve, --"please comehere. I want you very much, " she said sweetly. 

Miss Anstice, pleased to be wanted very much, or indeed at all, left herwork, and went over to the front barge where Alexia was raging inwardly. 

"Miss Anstice, I need Polly Pepper up next to me, " said Alexia, "oh, somuch. She knows all about my arm, you know; her father fixed it for me. Will you please have her come up here? Then if I should feel worse, shecould help me. "

Miss Anstice peered here and there in her nearsighted fashion. "I don'tsee Polly Pepper, " she said. 

"There she is; there she is, " cried Alexia, trembling in every limb, forher plan could not be said to be a complete success yet, and pointingeagerly to the end of her barge; "she's the fourth from the door, MissAnstice. Oh, how lovely you are!"

Miss Anstice, quite overcome to be told she was lovely, and especiallyby Alexia, who had previously given her no reason to suppose that sheentertained any such opinion, went with great satisfaction down thelength of the barge, and standing on her tiptoes, said veryimportantly, "Polly Pepper, I want to place you differently. "

So Polly, quite puzzled, but very obedient, crawled out from her seat, where she was wedged in between two girls not of her set, who had beenperfectly radiant at their good fortune, and clambering down the steps, was, almost before she knew it, installed up on the front row, byAlexia's side. 

"Oh Polly, what richness!" exclaimed that individual in smotheredaccents, as Miss Anstice stepped off in much importance, and huggingPolly. "I'm so glad my sling is on, for I never'd gotten you up herewithout the old thing, " and she giggled as she told the story. 

"Oh Alexia!" exclaimed Polly, quite shocked. 

"Well, I may get a relapse in it, you don't know, " said Alexia coolly, "so you really ought to be up here. Oh my goodness me! I forgot thisman, " she brought up suddenly. "Do you suppose he'll tell?" She peeredaround anxiously past Polly. 

"Ef you'll set still, I won't tell that teacher, " said the old man witha twinkle in his eye, "but ef you get to carryin' on, as I should thinkyou could ef you set out to, I'll up an' give the whole thing to her. "

"Oh, I'll sit as still as a mouse, " promised Alexia. "Oh Polly, isn't hea horrible old thing!" in a stage whisper under cover of the noise goingon around them. 

"Hush, " said Polly. 

"Well, I'm not going to hush, " cried Alexia recklessly; "I'm going tohave a good time at the picnic to-day, and do just everything I want to, so there, Polly Pepper!"

"Very well, " said Polly, "then when we get to the Glen, I shall go offwith the other girls, Alexia, " which had the desired effect. Alexiacurled up into her corner, and hanging to Polly Pepper's arm, was justlike a mouse for quiet. And off they went; the old man's whip goingcrack--_snap_! as he led the way with a grand flourish, as much betterthan his efforts of former years, as was possible!

The road led through winding, woodsy paths, redolent of sweet fern; thegirls never tired of its delights, exclaiming at all the sights andsounds of country life at all such moments as were not filled to thebrim with the songs that ran over from their happy hearts. So on and upthey went to the Glen, a precipitous ravine some fifteen miles out fromthe city. 

When the barges finally drew up with another grand flourish at theentrance, a smooth grassy plateau shaded by oaks and drooping elms, theysimply poured out a stream of girls from each conveyance; the old manand his companion drivers laughing to see them tumble out. "Pretty quickwork, eh, Bill?" said old man Kimball, "no screaming for first placesnow. "

"It's the same beautiful, dear old Glen!" exclaimed Polly, with kindlingeyes and dancing feet. "Oh Alexia, come on!" and seizing the well hand, they spun round and round, unable to keep still, having plenty ofcompany, all the other girls following suit. 

Polly looked at her little watch. "In five minutes we must stop. It'llbe time to get the flowers. "

"Oh, can we?" cried Alexia. "Misery me! I'm so tired cooped up in thatbarge, I feel stiff as a jointed doll, Polly Pepper. "

"Well, I don't, " said Polly, dancing away for dear life. "Oh Alexia, when Miss Salisbury gives the signal to explore, won't it be just fun!"

"I should say, " cried Alexia, unable to find words that would justexpress the case. 

There was always one routine to be observed in the annual picnic of the"Salisbury School, " and no one thought for a moment of deviating fromit. The maids collected the baskets taken from the wagons, and set themin a cool, shady place among the rocks just within the Glen. The girlsran hither and thither to collect flowers and ferns to drape MissSalisbury's seat of honor, and one as near like it as possible for MissAnstice. These were big crevices in the rocks, that were as comfortableas chairs, and having backs to them in the shape of boulders, they weretruly luxurious. Indeed, Miss Salisbury had declared, when the seatswere discovered by Polly Pepper at the first picnic after she joined the"Salisbury School, " that she never sat in one more comfortable; and shewas so pleased when she was led to it and inducted therein, allflower-trimmed with little vines trailing off, and arching over herhead. 

"Why, my dears!" she exclaimed, quite overcome. "Oh, how pretty! and howdid you think of it?"

"It was Polly Pepper who thought of it, " said a parlor boarder. AndPolly, blushing rosy red, a new girl as she was, was led up, and MissSalisbury set a kiss on her round cheek. Polly never forgot how happyshe was that day. 

And afterward, when the girls were busy in various little groups, MissSalisbury had beckoned Polly to her side where she reposed on herthrone; for it was beautiful and stately enough for one, and quiteworthy of royalty itself. 

"Polly, " said Miss Salisbury, in quite a low tone only fitted forPolly's ear, "do you think you could find a seat, like this beautifulone of mine, for sister? I should really enjoy it so very much more ifsister had one also and she would prize the attention very much, Polly, from you girls. "

So Polly, fired with the laudable desire to find one exactly like MissSalisbury's very own, for "sister, " at last was just so fortunate. Sothat was also flower-trimmed, with trailing vines to finish it off with. And every year, the first thing the girls did after dancing around a bitto rest their feet after the long drive, was to set to work to collectthe vines and ferns, and decorate the two stone seats. 

Then with quite a good deal of pomp and ceremony, the girls escorted thetwo teachers to their thrones, unpacked the little bag of books andmagazines, and arranged some cushions and shawls about them. And thenMiss Salisbury always said with a sweet smile, "Thank you, my dears. "And Miss Anstice said the same; although, try as hard as she would, hersmile never could be sweet like Miss Salisbury's. And then off the girlswould go to "exploring, " as they called rambling in the Glen, theunder-teachers taking them in charge. 

And now Polly Pepper ran to her hamper, which she saw in a pile wherethe baskets had been heaped by the maids. "There it is, " pointing to thetag sticking up; "oh, help me, --not you, Alexia, " as Alexia ran up asusual, to help forward any undertaking Polly Pepper might have in mind. "Dear me! you might almost kill your arm. "

"This old arm, " cried Alexia, --"I'm sick and tired of it. "

"Well, you better take care of it, " cried Polly gaily, "and then itwon't be an old arm, but it will be as good as brand new, Alexia. Oh, one of the other girls, do come and help me. "

"What do you want, Polly?" cried some of the girls, racing up to her. 

"I want to get out my hamper, " said Polly, pointing to the tag stickingup "high and dry" amid a stack of baskets. "My tin botany case is init; I must get the ferns I promised to bring home to Phronsie. "

"You stand away, all of ye. " The old man Kimball, his horses out of theshafts, and well taken care of, now drew near, and swept off with hisample hand the bunch of girls. "Which one is't? Oh, that ere one withthe tag, " answering his own question. "Well, now, I'll git that for youjest as easy as rolling off a log. One--two--three--there she comes!"

And, one, two, three, and here she did come! And in a trice Polly hadthe cover up, and out flew the little green tin botany case; and withinit being an iron spoon and little trowel, off flew Polly on happy feetto unearth the treasures that were to beautify Phronsie's little garden;a bunch of girls following to see the operation. 

The magazine fell idly to the lap of Miss Salisbury. She sat dreamilyback, resting her head against the boulder. "Sister, " she said softly, "this is a happy custom we have started. I trust nothing will everprevent our holding our annual picnic. "

"Yes, " said Miss Anstice absently. She was very much interested in astory she had begun, and she hated to have Miss Salisbury say a word. Although she had on a stiff, immaculate white gown (for on such afestival as the annual picnic, she always dressed in white), still shewas not in the same sweet temper that the principal was enjoying, andshe held her thumb and finger in the place. 

"Yes, the picnic is very good, " she said, feeling that something wasexpected of her, "if we didn't get worms and bugs crawling over thetablecloth. "

"Oh sister!" exclaimed Miss Salisbury, quite shocked; "it is no time tothink of worms and bugs, I'm sure, on such a beautiful occasion asthis. "

"Still, they are here, " said Miss Anstice; "there is one now, " lookingdown at the hem of her gown. "_Ugh!_ go right away, " slapping her bookat it. Then her thumb and finger flew out, and she lost her place, andthe bug ran away, and she added somewhat tartly, "For my own taste, Ishould really prefer a festival in the schoolroom. "

When it came to spreading the feast, not one of the maids was allowed toserve. They could unpack the hampers, and hand the dishes and eatablesto the girls, and run, and wait, and tend. But no one but the Salisburygirls must lay the snowy cloth, dress it up with flowers, with littleknots at the corners, concealing the big stones that kept the tableclothfrom flapping in any chance wind. And then they all took turns insetting the feast forth, and arranging all the goodies. And some one hadto make the coffee, with a little coterie to help her. The crotchedsticks were always there just as they had left them where they hung thekettle over the stone oven. And old man Kimball set one of the youngerdrivers to make the fire--and a rousing good one it was--where theyroasted their corn and potatoes. And another one brought up the waterfrom the spring that bubbled up clear and cold in the rocky ravine, sowhen all was ready it was a feast fit for a king, or rather the queenand her royal subjects. 

And then Miss Salisbury and "sister" were escorted with all appropriateceremonies down from their stone thrones, --and one had the head and theother the foot of the feast spread on the grass, --to sit on a stonedraped with a shawl, and to be waited on lovingly by the girls, whothrew themselves down on the ground, surrounding the snowy cloth. Andthey sat two or three rows deep; and those in the front row had to passthe things, of course, to the back-row girls. 

"Oh, you're spilling jelly-cake crumbs all down my back, " proclaimedAlexia, with a shudder. "Rose Harding, " looking at the girl just back ofher, "can't you eat over your own lap, pray tell?"

"Well, give me your seat then, " suggested Rose, with another good bitefrom the crumbly piece in her hand, "if you don't like what the back-rowgirls do. "

"No, I'm not going to, " said Alexia, "catch me! but you needn't eat allover my hair. Ugh! there goes another, " and she squirmed so she knockedoff the things in her neighbor's as well as her own lap. 

"Oh dear me! Keep your feet to yourself, Alexia Rhys, " said theneighbor; "there goes my egg in all the dirt--and I'd just gotten itshelled. "

"All the easier for the bugs, " observed Alexia sweetly; "see, they'realready appropriating it. And I guess you'd kick and wriggle if some oneput jelly cake down your back, " returning to her grievance, --"slippery, slimy jelly cake, " twisting again at the remembrance. 

"Well, you needn't kick the things out of my lap. I didn't put the jellycake down your back, " retorted the neighbor, beginning to shell hersecond egg. 

Oh dear! was ever anything quite so good in all this world as that feastat the "Salisbury picnic!"

"I didn't suppose those baskets could bring out so much, nor suchperfectly delicious things, " sighed Polly Pepper, in an interval of restbefore attacking one of Philena's chocolate cakes. 

"Polly, Polly Pepper, " called a girl opposite, "give me one of yourlittle lemon tarts. You did bring 'em this year, didn't you?" anxiously. 

"Yes, indeed, " answered Polly; "why, where are they?" peering up anddown the festal, not "board, " but tablecloth. 

"Don't tell me they are gone, " cried the girl, leaning over to look forherself. 

"I'm afraid they are, " said Polly; "oh, I'm so sorry, Agatha!"

"You should have spoken before, my child, " said a parlor boarder, whohad eaten only three of Mrs. Fisher's tarts, and adjusting hereyeglasses. 

"Why, I've only just gotten through eating bread and butter, " saidAgatha. "I can't eat cake until that's done. "

"A foolish waste of time, " observed the parlor boarder; "bread andbutter is for every day; cake and custards and flummery for highholidays, " she added with quite an air. 

"Hush up, do, " cried Alexia, who had small respect for the parlorboarders and their graces, "and eat what you like, Penelope. I'm goingto ransack this table for a tart for you, Agatha. "

She sent keen, bird-like glances all up and down the length of thetablecloth. "Yes, no--yes, it is. " She pounced upon a lemon tart hidingunder a spray of sweet fern, and handed it in triumph across. "There youare, Agatha! now don't say I never did anything for you. "

"Oh, how sweet!" cried Agatha, burying her teeth in the flaky tart. 

"I should think it was sour, " observed Amy Garrett; "lemons usuallyare. "

"Don't try to be clever, Amy child, " said Alexia, "it isn't expected ata picnic. "

"It's never expected where you are, " retorted Amy sharply. 

"Oh dear, dear! that's pretty good, " cried Alexia, nowise disconcerted, as she loved a joke just as much at herself as at the expense of anyone else, while the others burst into a merry laugh. 

"There's one good thing about Alexia Rhys, " the "Salisbury girls" hadalways said, "she can take any amount of chaff, and not stick her fingerin her eye and whimper. "

So now she smiled serenely. "Oh dear, dear! I wish I could eat somemore, " she said. "I haven't tasted your orange jelly, Clem, nor as muchas looked at your French sandwiches, Silvia. What is the reason one caneat so very little at a picnic, I wonder?" She drew a long breath, andregarded them all with a very injured expression. 

"Hear that, girls!" cried Silvia; "isn't that rich, when Alexia has beeneating every blessed minute just as fast as she could!"

"I suppose that is what we all have been doing, " observed Alexiaplacidly. 

Miss Salisbury had been a happy observer of all the fun and nonsensegoing on around her, and renewing her youth when she had dearly lovedpicnics; but it was not so with Miss Anstice. At the foot of the festaltablecloth, she had been viewing from the corners of her eyes theinroads of various specimens of the insect creation and several otherperipatetic creatures that seemed to belong to no particular species butto a new order of beings originated for this very occasion. She had heldherself in bravely, although eating little, being much too busy inkeeping watch of these intruders, who all seemed bent on running overher food and her person, to hide in all conceivable folds of her whitegown. And she was now congratulating herself on the end of the feast, which about this time should be somewhere in sight, when a goggle-eyedbug, at least so it seemed to her distraught vision, pranced with agilesteps directly for her lap, to disappear at once. And it got on to hernerves. 

"Oh--_ow_! Take it off. " Miss Anstice let her plate fly, and skipped toher feet. But looking out for the goggle-eyed bug, she thought of littleelse, and stepped into some more of the jelly cake--slipped, andprecipitated herself into the middle of the feast. 

XIV MISS SALISBURY'S STORY

"Oh Miss Anstice!" cried the "Salisbury girls, " jumping to their feet. 

"_Sister!_" exclaimed Miss Salisbury, dropping her plate, and lettingall her sweet, peaceful reflections fly to the four winds. 

"I never did regard picnics as pleasant affairs, " gasped Miss Anstice, as the young hands raised her, "and now they are--quite--quitedetestable. " She looked at her gown, alas! no longer immaculate. 

"If you could wipe my hands first, young ladies, " sticking out thosemembers, on which were plentiful supplies of marmalade and jelly cake, "I should be much obliged. Never mind the gown yet, " she added withasperity. 

"I'll do that, " cried Alexia, flying at her with two or three napkins. 

"Alexia, keep your seat. " Miss Anstice turned on her. "It is quite badenough, without your heedless fingers at work on it. "

[Illustration: "I NEVER DID REGARD PICNICS AS PLEASANT AFFAIRS, " GASPEDMISS ANSTICE. ]

"I won't touch the old thing, " declared Alexia, in a towering passion, and forgetting it was not one of the girls. "And I may be heedless, butI _can_ be polite, " and she threw down the napkins, and turned her backon the whole thing. 

"Alexia!" cried Polly, turning very pale; and, rushing up to her, shebore her away under the trees. "Why, Alexia Rhys, you've talked awfullyto Miss Anstice--just think, the sister of our Miss Salisbury!"

"Was that old thing a Salisbury?" asked Alexia, quite unmoved. "Ithought it was a rude creature that didn't know what it was to have goodmanners. "

"Alexia, Alexia!" mourned Polly, and for the first time in Alexia'sremembrance wringing her hands, "to think you should do such a thing!"

Alexia, seeing Polly wring her hands, felt quite aghast at herself. "Polly, don't do that, " she begged. 

"Oh, I can't help it. " And Polly's tears fell fast. 

Alexia gave her one look, as she stood there quite still and pale, unable to stop the tears racing over her cheeks, turned, and fled withlong steps back to the crowd of girls surrounding poor Miss Anstice, Miss Salisbury herself wiping the linen gown with an old napkin in herdeft fingers. 

"I beg your pardon, " cried Alexia gustily, and plunging up unsteadily. "I was bad to say such things. "

"You were, indeed, " assented Miss Anstice tartly. "Sister, that is quiteenough; the gown cannot possibly be made any better with your incessantrubbing. "

Miss Salisbury gave a sigh, and got up from her knees, and put down thenapkin. Then she looked at Alexia. "She is very sorry, sister, " she saidgently. "I am sure Alexia regrets exceedingly her hasty speech. "

"Hasty?" repeated Miss Anstice, with acrimony, "it was quiteimpertinent; and I cannot remember when one of our young ladies has donesuch a thing. "

All the blood in Alexia's body seemed to go to her sallow cheeks whenshe heard that. That she should be the first and only Salisbury girl tobe so bad, quite overcame her, and she looked around for Polly Pepper tohelp her out. And Polly, who had followed her up to the group, begged, "Do, dear Miss Anstice, forgive her. " And so did all the girls, eventhose who did not like Alexia one bit, feeling sorry for her now. MissAnstice relented enough to say, "Well, we will say no more about it; Idare say you did not intend to be impertinent. " And then they all satdown again, and everybody tried to be as gay as possible while the feastwent on. 

And by the time they sang the "Salisbury School Songs, "--for they hadseveral very fine ones, that the different classes had composed, --therewas such a tone of good humor prevailing, everybody getting so veryjolly, that no one looking on would have supposed for a moment that asingle unpleasant note had been struck. And Miss Anstice tried not tolook at her gown; and Miss Salisbury had a pretty pink tinge in hercheeks, and her eyes were blue and serene, without the tired look thatoften came into them. 

"Now for the story--oh, that is the best of all!" exclaimed PollyPepper, when at last, protesting that they couldn't eat another morsel, they all got up from the feast, leaving it to the maids. 

"Isn't it!" echoed the girls. "Oh, dear Miss Salisbury, I _am_ so gladit is time for you to tell it. " All of which pleased Miss Salisbury verymuch indeed, for it was the custom at this annual festival to wind upthe afternoon with a story by the principal, when all the girls wouldgather at her feet to listen to it, as she sat in state in her stonechair. 

"Is it?" she cried, the pink tinge on her cheek getting deeper. "Well, do you know, I think I enjoy, as much as my girls, the telling of thisannual story. "

"Oh, you can't enjoy it _as much_, " said one impulsive young voice. 

Miss Salisbury smiled indulgently at her. "Well, now, if you are ready, girls, I will begin. "

"Oh, yes, we are--we are, " the bright groups, scattered on the grass ather feet, declared. 

"To-day I thought I would tell you of my school days when I was as youngas you, " began Miss Salisbury. 

"Oh--oh!"

"Miss Salisbury, I just love you for that!" exclaimed the impulsivegirl, and jumping out of her seat, she ran around the groups to thestone chair. "I do, Miss Salisbury, for I did so want to hear all aboutwhen you were a schoolgirl. "

"Well, go back to your place, Fanny, and you shall hear a little of myschool life, " said Miss Salisbury gently. 

"No--no; the whole of it, " begged Fanny earnestly, going slowly back. 

"My dear child, I could not possibly tell you the whole, " said MissSalisbury, smiling; "it must be one little picture of my school days. "

"Do sit down, Fanny, " cried one of the other girls impatiently; "you arehindering it all. "

So Fanny flew back to her place, and Miss Salisbury without any moreinterruptions, began:

"You see, girls, you must know to begin with, that our father--sister'sand mine--was a clergyman in a small country parish; and as there were agreat many mouths to feed, and young, growing minds to feed as well, besides ours, why there was a great deal of considering as to ways andmeans constantly going on at the parsonage. Well, as I was the eldest, of course the question came first, what to do with Amelia. "

"Were you Amelia?" asked Fanny. 

"Yes. Well, after talking it over a great deal, --and I suspect manysleepless nights spent by my good father and mother, --it was at lastdecided that I should be sent to boarding school; for I forgot to tellyou, I had finished at the academy. "

"Yes; sister was very smart, " broke in Miss Anstice proudly--"she won'ttell you that; so I must. "

"Oh sister, sister, " protested Miss Salisbury. 

"Yes, she excelled all the boys and girls. "

"Did they have boys at that school?" interrupted Philena, in amazement. "Oh, how very nice, Miss Salisbury!"

"I should just love to go to school with boys, " declared ever so many ofthe girls ecstatically. 

"Why don't you take boys at our school, Miss Salisbury?" asked Silvialongingly. 

Miss Anstice looked quite horrified at the very idea; but Miss Salisburylaughed. "It is not the custom now, my dear, in private schools. In myday--you must remember that was a long time ago--there were academieswhere girls and boys attended what would be called a high school now. "

"Oh!"

"And I went to one in the next town until it was thought best for me tobe sent to boarding school. "

"And she was very smart; she took all the prizes at the academy, and theprincipal said--" Miss Anstice was herself brought up quickly by hersister. 

"If you interrupt so much, I never shall finish my story, Anstice, " shesaid. 

"I want the girls to understand this, " said Miss Anstice with decision. "The principal said she was the best educated scholar he had ever seengraduated from Hilltop Academy. "

"Well, now if you have finished, " said Miss Salisbury, laughing, "I willproceed. So I was despatched by my father to a town about thirty milesaway, to a boarding school kept by the widow of a clergyman who had beena college classmate. Well, I was sorry to leave all my young brothersand sisters, you may be sure, while my mother--girls, I haven't even nowforgotten the pang it cost me to kiss my mother good-bye. "

Miss Salisbury stopped suddenly, and let her gaze wander off to thewaving tree-tops; and Miss Anstice fell into a revery that kept her faceturned away. 

"But it was the only way I could get an education; and you know I couldnot be fitted for a teacher, which was to be my life work, unless Iwent; so I stifled all those dreadful feelings which anticipated myhomesickness, and pretty soon I found myself in the boarding school. "

"How many scholars were there, Miss Salisbury?" asked Laura Page, whowas very exact. 

"Fifteen girls, " said Miss Salisbury. 

"Oh dear me, what a little bit of a school!" exclaimed one girl. 

"The schools were not as large in those days, " said Miss Salisbury. "Youmust keep in mind the great difference between that time and this, mydear. Well, and when I was once there, I had quite enough to do to keepme from being homesick, I can assure you, through the day; because, inaddition to lessons, there was the sewing hour. "

"Sewing? Oh my goodness me!" exclaimed Alexia. "You didn't have to sewat that school, did you, Miss Salisbury?"

"I surely did, " replied Miss Salisbury, "and very glad I have been, Alexia, that I learned so much in that sewing hour. I have seriouslythought, sister and I, of introducing the plan into our school. "

"Oh, don't, Miss Salisbury, " screamed the girls. "Ple--ase don't make ussew. " Some of them jumped to their feet in distress. 

"I shall die, " declared Alexia tragically, "if we have to sew. "

There was such a general gloom settled over the entire party that MissSalisbury hastened to say, "I don't think, girls, we can do it, becausesomething else equally important would have to be given up to make thetime. " At which the faces brightened up. 

"Well, I was only to stay at this school a year, " went on MissSalisbury, "because, you see, it was as much as my father could do topay for that time; so it was necessary to use every moment to advantage. So I studied pretty hard; and I presume this is one reason why theincident I am going to tell you about was of such a nature; for I wasover-tired, though that should be no excuse, " she added hastily. 

"Oh sister, " said Miss Anstice nervously, "don't tell them that story. Iwouldn't. "

"It may help them, to have a leaf out of another young person's life, Anstice, " said Miss Salisbury, gravely. 

"Well, but--"

"And so, every time when I thought I must give up and go home, I was sohungry to see my father and mother, and the little ones--"

"Was Miss Anstice one of the little ones?" asked Fanny, with a curiouslook at the crow's-feet and faded eyes of the younger Miss Salisbury. 

"Yes, she was: there were two boys came in between; then Anstice, thenJane, Harriett, Lemuel, and the baby. "

"Oh my!" gasped Alexia, tumbling over into Polly Pepper's lap. 

"Eight of us; so you see, it would never do for the one who was havingso much money spent upon her, to waste a single penny of it. When I oncegot to teaching, I was to pay it all back. "

"And did you--did you?" demanded curious Fanny. 

"Did she?--oh, girls!" It was Miss Anstice who almost gasped this, making every girl turn around. 

"Never mind, " Miss Salisbury telegraphed over their heads, to "sister, "which kept her silent. But she meant to tell sometime. 

Polly Pepper, all this time, hadn't moved, but sat with hands folded inher lap. What if she had given up and flown home to Mamsie and thelittle brown house before Mr. King discovered her homesickness andbrought Phronsie! Supposing she hadn't gone in the old stagecoach thatday when she first left Badgertown to visit in Jasper's home! Justsupposing it! She turned quite pale, and held her breath, while MissSalisbury proceeded. 

"And now comes the incident that occurred during that boarding-schoolyear, that I have intended for some time to tell you girls, because itmay perhaps help you in some experience where you will need the veryquality that I lacked on that occasion. "

"Oh sister!" expostulated Miss Anstice. 

"It was a midwinter day, cold and clear and piercing. " Miss Salisburyshivered a bit, and drew the shawl put across the back of her stoneseat, closer around her. "Mrs. Ferguson--that was the name of theprincipal--had given the girls a holiday to take them to a neighboringtown; there was to be a concert, I remember, and some other treats; andthe scholars were, as you would say, 'perfectly wild to go, '" and shesmiled indulgently at her rapt audience. "Well, I was not going. "

"Oh Miss Salisbury!" exclaimed Amy Garrett in sorrow, as if thedisappointment were not forty years in the background. 

"No. I decided it was not best for me to take the money, although myfather had written me that I could, when the holiday had been plannedsome time before. And besides, I thought I could do some extra studyingahead while the girls were away. Understand, I didn't really think ofdoing wrong then; although afterward I did the wrong thing. "

"_Sister!_" reproved Miss Anstice. She could not sit still now, but gotout of her stone chair, and paced up and down. 

"No; I did not dream that in a little while after the party had started, I should be so sorely tempted, and the idea would enter my head to dothe wrong thing. But so it was. I was studying, I remember, myphilosophy lesson for some days ahead, when suddenly, as plainly as ifletters of light were written down the page, it flashed upon my mind, 'Why don't I go home to-day? I can get back to-night, and no one willknow it; at least, not until I am back again, and no harm done. ' Andwithout waiting to think it out, I clapped to my book, tossed it on thetable, and ran to get my poor little purse out of the bureau drawer. "

The girls, in their eagerness not to lose a word, crowded close to MissSalisbury's knees, forgetting that she wasn't a girl with them. 

"I had quite enough money, I could see, to take me home and back on thecars, and by the stage. "

"The stage?" repeated Alexia faintly. 

"Yes; you must remember that this time of which I am telling you wasmany, many years back. Besides, in some country places, it is still theonly mode of conveyance used. "

Polly Pepper drew a long breath. Dear old Badgertown, and Mr. Tisbett'sstage. She could see it now, as it looked when the Five Little Pepperswould run to the windows of the little brown house to watch it golumbering by, and to hear the old stage-driver crack his whip ingreeting!

"The housekeeper had a day off, to go to her daughter's, so that helpedmy plan along, " Miss Salisbury was saying. "Well would it have been forme if the conditions had been less easy. But I must hasten. I have toldyou that I did not pause to think; that was my trouble in those days: Iacted on impulse often, as schoolgirls are apt perhaps to do, and so Iwas not ready to stand this sudden temptation. I tied on my bonnet, gathered up my little purse tightly in my hand; and although the day wascold, the sun was shining brightly, and my heart was so full of hope andanticipation that I scarcely thought of what I was doing, as I took athin little jacket instead of the warm cloak my mother had made me forwinter wear. I hurried out of the house, when there was no one to noticeme, for the maids were careless in the housekeeper's absence, and hadslipped off for the moment--at any rate, they said afterward they neversaw me;--so off I went. 

"I caught the eight o'clock train just in time; which I considered mostfortunate. How often afterward did I wish I had missed it! And reasoningwithin myself as the wheels bore me away, that it was perfectly right tospend the money to go home, for my father had been quite willing for meto take the treat with Mrs. Ferguson and the others, I settled back inmy seat, and tried not to feel strange at travelling alone. "

"Oh dear me!" exclaimed the girls, huddling up closer to MissSalisbury's knees. Miss Anstice paced back and forth; it was too late tostop the story now, and her nervousness could only be walked off. 

"But I noticed the farther I got from the boarding school, little doubtswould come creeping into my mind, --first, was it very wise for me tohave set out in this way? then, was it right? And suddenly in a flash, it struck me that I was doing a very wrong thing, and that, if my fatherand my mother knew it, they would be greatly distressed. And I wouldhave given worlds, if I had possessed them, to be back at Mrs. Ferguson's, studying my philosophy lesson. And I laid my head on theback of the seat before me, and cried as hard as I could. "

Amy sniffed into her handkerchief, and two or three other girls coughedas if they had taken cold, while no one looked into her neighbor's face. 

"And a wild idea crossed my mind once, of rushing up to the conductorand telling him of my trouble, to ask him if I couldn't get off at thenext station and go back; but a minute's reflection told me that thiswas foolish. There was only the late afternoon train to take me to theschool. I had started, and must go on. "

A long sigh went through the group. Miss Anstice seemed to have itcommunicated to her, for she quickened her pace nervously. 

"At last, after what seemed an age to me, though it wasn't really buthalf an hour since we started, I made up my mind to bear it as well as Icould; father and mother would forgive me, I was sure, and would makeMrs. Ferguson overlook it--when I glanced out of the car window. Littleflakes of snow were falling fast. It struck dismay to my heart. If itkept on like this, --and after watching it for some moments, I had noreason to expect otherwise, for it was of that fine, dry quality thatseems destined to last, --I should not be able to get back to school thatafternoon. Oh dear me! And now I began to open my heart to all sorts offears: the train might be delayed, the stagecoach slow in gettingthrough to Cherryfield. By this time I was in a fine state of nerves, and did not dare to think further. "

One of the girls stole her hand softly up to lay it on that of theprincipal, forgetting that she had never before dared to do such a thingin all her life. Miss Salisbury smiled, and closed it within her own. 

There was a smothered chorus of "Oh dears!"

"I sat there, my dears, in a misery that saw nothing of the beauty ofthat storm, knew nothing, heard nothing, except the occasionalejaculations and remarks of the passengers, such as, 'It's going to bethe worst storm of the year, ' and 'It's come to stay. '

"Suddenly, without a bit of warning, there was a bumping noise, then thetrain dragged slowly on, then stopped. All the passengers jumped up, except myself. I was too miserable to stir, for I knew now that I was topay finely for my wrong-doing in leaving the school without permission. "

"Oh--oh!" the girls gave a little scream. 

"'What is it--what is it?' the passengers one and all cried, and therewas great rushing to the doors, and hopping outside to ascertain thetrouble. I never knew, for I didn't care to ask. It was enough for methat something had broken, and the train had stopped; to start again noone could tell when. "

The sympathy and excitement now were intense. One girl sniffed out frombehind her handkerchief, "I--I should have--thought you would--havedied--Miss Salisbury. "

"Ah!" said Miss Salisbury, with a sigh, "you will find, Helen, as yougrow older, that the only thing you can do to repair in any way themischief you have done, is to keep yourself well under control, andendure the penalty without wasting time on your suffering. So I justmade up my mind now to this; and I sat up straight, determined not togive way, whatever happened. 

"It was very hard when the impatient passengers would come back into thecar to ask each other, 'How soon do you suppose we will get toMayville?' That was where I was to take the stage. 

"'Not till night, if we don't start, ' one would answer, trying to befacetious; but I would torture myself into believing it. At last theconductor came through, and he met a storm of inquiries, all asking thesame question, 'How soon will we get to Mayville?'

"It seemed to me that he was perfectly heartless in tone and manner, ashe pulled out his watch to consult it. I can never see a big silverwatch to this day, girls, without a shiver. "

The "Salisbury girls" shivered in sympathy, and tried to creep up closerto her. 

"Well, the conductor went on to say, that there was no telling, --therailroad officials never commit themselves, you know, --they hadtelegraphed back to town for another engine (he didn't mention that, after that, we should be sidetracked to allow other trains their rightof way), and as soon as they could, why, they would move. Then heproceeded to move himself down the aisle in great dignity. Well, mydears, you must remember that this all happened long years ago, whenaccidents to the trains were very slowly made good. We didn't get intoMayville until twelve o'clock. If everything had gone as it should, weought to have reached there three hours before. "

"Oh my goodness me!" exploded Alexia. 

"By this time, the snow had piled up fast. What promised to be a heavystorm had become a reality, and it was whirling and drifting dreadfully. You must remember that I had on my little thin jacket, instead--"

"Oh Miss Salisbury!" screamed several girls, "I forgot that. "

"Don't tell any more, " sobbed another--"don't, Miss Salisbury. "

"I want you to hear this story, " said Miss Salisbury quietly. "Remember, I did it all myself. And the saddest part of it is what I made otherssuffer; not my own distress. "

"Sister, if you only _won't_ proceed!" Miss Anstice abruptly leaned overthe outer fringe of girls. 

"I am getting on to the end, " said Miss Salisbury, with a smile. "Well, girls, I won't prolong the misery for you. I climbed into that stage, itseemed to me, more dead than alive. The old stage-driver, showing asmuch of his face as his big fur cap drawn well over his ears wouldallow, looked at me compassionately. 

"'Sakes alive!' I can hear him now. 'Hain't your folks no sense to let ayoung thing come out in that way?'

"I was so stiff, all I could think of was, that I had turned into anicicle, and that I was liable to break at any minute. But I couldn't letthat criticism pass. 

"'They--they didn't let me--I've come from school, ' I stammered. 

"He looked at me curiously, got up from his seat, opened a box under it, and twitched out a big cape, moth-eaten, and well-worn otherwise; butoh, girls, I never loved anything so much in all my life as thathorrible old article, for it saved my life. "

A long-drawn breath went around the circle. 

"'Here, you just get into this as soon as the next one, ' said thestage-driver gruffly, handing it over to me where I sat on the middleseat. I needed no command, but fairly huddled myself within it, wrappingit around and around me. And then I knew by the time it took to warm meup, how very cold I had been. 

"And every few minutes of the toilsome journey, for we had to proceedvery slowly, the stage-driver would look back over his shoulder to say, 'Be you gittin' any warmer now?' And I would say, 'Yes, thank you, alittle. '

"And finally he asked suddenly, 'Do your folks know you're comin'?' AndI answered, 'No, ' and I hoped he hadn't heard, and I pulled the cape uphigher around my face, I was so ashamed. But he had heard, for hewhistled; and oh, girls, that made my head sink lower yet. Oh my dears, the shame of wrong-doing is so terrible to bear!

"Well, after a while we got into Cherryfield, along about half-pastthree o'clock. "

"Oh dear!" exclaimed the young voices. 

"I could just distinguish our church spire amid the whirling snow; andthen a panic seized me. I must get down at some spot where I would notbe recognized, for oh, I did not want any one to tell that oldstage-driver who I was, and thus bring discredit upon my father, theclergyman, for having a daughter who had come away from school withoutpermission. So I mumbled out that I was to stop at the Four Corners:that was a short distance from the centre of the village, the usualstopping place. 

"One of the passengers--for I didn't think it was necessary to prolongthe story to describe the two women who occupied the back seat--leanedforward and said, 'I hope, Mr. Cheesewell, you ain't goin' to let thatgirl get out, half froze as she's been, in this snowstorm. You'd oughtto go out o' your beat, and carry her home. '

"'Oh, no--no, ' I cried in terror, unwinding myself from the big cape andpreparing to descend. 

"'Stop there!' roared Mr. Cheesewell at me. 'Did ye s'pose I'd desertthat child?' he said to the two women. 'I'd take her home, ef I knewwhere in creation 'twas. '

"'She lives at the parsonage--she's th' minister's daughter, ' said oneof the women quietly. 

"I sank back in my seat--oh, girls, the bitterness of that moment!--andas well as I could for the gathering mist in my eyes, and the blindingstorm without, realized the approach to my home. But what a home-coming!

"I managed to hand back the big cape, and to thank Mr. Cheesewell, thenstumbled up the little pathway to the parsonage door, feeling everystep a misery, with all those eyes watching me; and lifting the latch, Iwas at home!

"Then I fell flat in the entry, and knew nothing more till I foundmyself in my own bed, with my mother's face above me; and beyond her, there was father. "

Every girl was sobbing now. No one saw Miss Anstice, with the tearsraining down her cheeks at the memory that the beautiful prosperity ofall these later years could not blot out. 

"Girls, if my life was saved in the first place by that old cape, it wassaved again by one person. "

"Your mother, " gasped Polly Pepper, with wet, shining eyes. 

"No; my mother had gone to a sick parishioner's, and father was withher. There was no one but the children at home; the bigger boys wereaway. I owe my life really to my sister Anstice. "

"_Don't!_" begged Miss Anstice hoarsely, and trying to shrink away. Thecircle of girls whirled around to see her clasping her slender handstightly together, while she kept her face turned aside. 

"Oh girls, " cried Miss Salisbury, with sudden energy, "if you couldonly understand what that sister of mine did for me! I never can tellyou. She kept back her own fright, as the small children were so scaredwhen they found me lying there in the entry, for they had all been inthe woodshed picking up some kindlings, and didn't hear me come in. Andshe thought at first I was dead, but she worked over me just as shethought mother would. You see we hadn't any near neighbors, so shecouldn't call any one. And at last she piled me all over with blanketsjust where I lay, for she couldn't lift me, of course, and tucked me intightly; and telling the children not to cry, but to watch me, she ran amile, or floundered rather--for the snow was now so deep--to thedoctor's house. "

"Oh, that was fine!" cried Polly Pepper, with kindling eyes, and turningher flushed face with pride on Miss Anstice. When Miss Salisbury sawthat, a happy smile spread over her face, and she beamed on Polly. 

"And then, you know the rest; for of course, when I came to myself, thedoctor had patched me up. And once within my father's arms, with motherholding my hand--why, I was forgiven. "

Miss Salisbury paused, and glanced off over the young heads, nottrusting herself to speak. 

"And how did they know at the school where you were?" Fanny broke inimpulsively. 

"Father telegraphed Mrs. Ferguson; and luckily for me, she and her partywere delayed by the storm in returning to the school, so the message washanded to her as she left the railroad station. Otherwise, my absencewould have plunged her in terrible distress. "

"Oh, well, it all came out rightly after all. " Louisa Frink dropped herhandkerchief in her lap, and gave a little laugh. 

"_Came out rightly!_" repeated Miss Salisbury sternly, and turning sucha glance on Louisa that she wilted at once. "Yes, if you can forget thatfor days the doctor was working to keep me from brain fever; that ittook much of my father's hard-earned savings to pay him; that it kept mefrom school, and lost me the marks I had almost gained; that, worst ofall, it added lines of care and distress to the faces of my parents; andthat my sister who saved me, barely escaped a long fit of sickness fromher exposure. "

"Don't, sister, don't, " begged Miss Anstice. 

"_Came out rightly_? Girls, nothing can ever come out rightly, unlessthe steps leading up to the end are right. "

"Ma'am, "--Mr. Kimball suddenly appeared above the fringe of girlssurrounding Miss Salisbury, --"there's a storm brewin'; it looks as if'twas comin' to stay. I'm all hitched up, 'n' I give ye my 'pinion thatwe'd better be movin'. "

With that, everybody hopped up, for Mr. Kimball's "'pinion" was law insuch a case. The picnic party was hastily packed into the barges, --Pollycarrying the little green botany case with the ferns for Phronsie'sgarden carefully on her lap, --and with many backward glances for thedear Glen, off they went, as fast as the horses could swing along. 

XV THE BROKEN VASE

But drive as they might, Mr. Kimball and his assistants, they couldn'tbeat that storm that was brewing. It came up rather slowly, to be sure, at first, but very persistently. Evidently the old stage-driver wasright. It was "coming to stay. "

"Ye see, ma'am, ef we hadn't started when we did, like enough wecouldn't a got home to-night, " he vouchsafed over his shoulder to MissSalisbury, as they rattled on. 

"Dear me!" she exclaimed at thought of her brood. Those young thingswere having the best of times. It was "wildly exciting, " as ClemForsythe said, to be packed in; those on the end seats huddling awayfrom the rain as much as possible, under cover of the curtains buttoneddown fast. And hilarity ran high. They sang songs; never quite finishingone, but running shrilly off to others, which were produced on severaldifferent keys maybe, according to the mood of the singers. And asevery girl wanted to sing her favorite song, there were sometimesvarious compositions being produced in different quarters of the bigstage, till no one particular melody could be said to have the right ofway. And Miss Salisbury sat in the midst of the babel, and smiled asmuch as her anxiety would allow, at the merriment. And as it was in thisstage, so the other stages were counterparts. And the gay tunes andmerry laughter floated back all along the cavalcade, minglingharmoniously with the rainfall. 

Suddenly an awful clap of thunder reverberated in the sky. The songsended in squeals of dismay, and the laughter died away. 

"Oh--oh--we're going to have a thunder storm!" screamed more than onegirl, huddling up closer to her next neighbor, to clutch herfrantically. 

"Oh, I'm so afraid of the thunder!" screamed Amy Garrett. 

"You goose, it won't hurt you. " Lucy Bennett, whom Amy had crouchedagainst, gave her a little push. 

"It will. It will. My uncle was struck once, " said Amy, rebounding fromthe push to grasp Lucy frantically around the neck. 

"You nearly choked me to death, " exclaimed Lucy, untwisting the nervoushands; "don't get so scared. Your uncle never was struck by the thunder, and we haven't had any lightning yet; so I wouldn't yell till we do. "

"Well, there it is now, " cried Amy, covering her eyes. And there it wasnow, to be sure, in a blinding flash; to be followed by deeper rolls ofthunder, drowning the screams of the frightened girls, and the plungingof the horses that didn't like it much better. 

Mr. Kimball peered out and squinted to the right and to the left throughthe blinding storm; then he turned his horses suddenly off from theroad, into a narrow lane. "Oh, why do you?" began Miss Salisbury. Butthis remonstrance wouldn't have done any good had the old stage-driverheard it. At the end of the lane, he knew in a few moments they wouldall arrive at a big old fashioned mansion where shelter could not berefused them under such circumstances. Although, --and Mr. Kimball shookwithin himself at his temerity, --under any other conditions visitorswould not be expected nor welcomed. For Mr. John Clemcy and his sister, Miss Ophelia, had never exhibited, since they settled down in thisquiet spot after leaving their English home many years ago, any apparentdesire to make friends. They were quite sufficient for themselves; andwhat with driving about, --which they did in a big basket phaeton, orbehind their solemn pair of black horses, and the still more solemncoachman, Isaac, also black, --and in the care of the large estate andthe big brick mansion, they found ample occupation for their time andthoughts. 

Up to this big red brick mansion now plunged Mr. Kimball with as muchassurance as if he were not quaking dreadfully. And the other stagesfollowing suit, the sudden and unusual uproar brought two faces to thewindows, and then to the door. 

"May we all git out and go into your barn?" roared Mr. Kimball, peeringat them from beneath his dripping hat. 

There was an awful pause. Mr. Kimball clutched his old leather reinsdesperately; and Miss Salisbury, to whom had come faint rumors of thechosen isolation of the brother and sister, felt her heart sinkwoefully. 

Mr. John Clemcy stepped out, --slender, tall, with white hair and beard, both closely cropped. He had a pale, aristocratic face, and a pair ofsingularly stern eyes, which he now bent upon the old stage-driver. 

"Brother, " remonstrated his sister, --she looked as much like him aspossible in face and figure, --"do not venture out in this drivingstorm. "

"No, " said Mr. Clemcy, "I cannot consent to your going into my stable. I--"

"'Taint Christian, " blurted out the old stage-driver, "to leave humanbein's out in sech a pickle. "

"No, I am aware of that, " said Mr. John Clemcy, without a change ofcountenance; "and so I invite you all to come into my house. " He threwwide the door. "My sister, Miss Clemcy. "

Miss Ophelia stepped forward and received them as if she had speciallyprepared for their visit, and with such an air of distinction that itcompletely overwhelmed Miss Salisbury, so that her own manners, alwaysconsidered quite perfect by parents and friends of her pupils, paledconsiderably in contrast. It was quite like entering an old baronialhall, as the courtly, aristocratic host ushered them in; and the girls, not easily overawed by any change of circumstance, who had tumbled outlaughingly from the stages despite Miss Salisbury's nervous endeavors toquiet them, were now instantly subdued. 

"Isn't it solemn!" whispered Alexia, hanging to Polly Pepper, her paleeyes roving over the armor, and old family portraits almost completelycovering the walls of the wide hall. 

"Hush, " whispered Polly back again. 

"But I can't breathe; oh, look at that old horror in the ruff. Polly--look!" she pinched the arm she grasped. 

Meantime, although there were so many girls, the big red brick mansionseemed quite able to contain them hospitably, as Mr. And Miss Clemcyopened door after door into apartments that appeared to stretch out intogreater space beyond. When at last the company had been distributed, Miss Salisbury found her voice. "I am pained to think of all the troublewe are giving you, Miss Clemcy. "

"Do not mention it. " Miss Ophelia put up a slender arm, from which felloff a deep flounce of rare old lace. The hand that thus came into viewwas perfect; and Miss Salisbury, who could recognize qualities ofdistinction, fell deeply in love with the evidences before her. 

"Do you suppose she dresses up like that every day, Silvia?" whisperedLucy Bennett, in an awe-struck voice. 

Silvia, in matters of dress never being willing to show surprise, preserved her composure. "That's nothing, " she managed to sayindifferently: "it can't be real, such a lot of it, and around her necktoo. "

Down into the old colonial kitchen, with its corner fireplace, wide androomy, and bricked to the ceiling, Mr. Clemcy led the way. It was a bigroom, and not used for its original purpose; being filled with cabinets, and shelves on which reposed some of the most beautiful specimens ofchina and various relics and curiosities and mementos of travel, MissSalisbury thought she had ever seen. And she had been about the world agood bit; having utilized many of her vacations, and once or twicetaking a year off from her school work, for that purpose. And beingsingularly receptive to information, she was the best of listeners, inan intelligent way, as Mr. Clemcy moved about from object to objectexplaining his collection. He seemed perfectly absorbed in it, and, asthe girls began to notice, in his listener as well. 

Lucy Bennett was frightfully romantic, and jumped to conclusions atonce. "Oh, do you suppose he will marry her?" she cried under her breathto Silvia, as the two kept together. 

"Who? What are you talking about?" demanded Silvia, who was verymatter-of-fact. 

"Why, that old man--Mr. Whatever his name is, " whispered Lucy. 

"Mr. Clemcy? do get names into your head, Lu, " said Silvia crossly, whowanted to look at things and not be interrupted every minute. 

"I can't ever remember names, if I do hear them, " said Lucy, "so what isthe use of my bothering to hear them, Sil?"

"Well, do keep still, " said Silvia, trying to twist away her arm, butLucy clung to it. 

"Well, I can't keep still either, for I'm mortally afraid he is--thatold man, whatever you call him--going to marry her. "

"Who?" demanded Silvia sharply. 

"Our Miss Salisbury, and--"

"Lu Bennett!" Silvia sat down in the first chair she could find. It wasvery fortunate that the other groups were so absorbed that nobodynoticed them. 

"Oh, you do say such perfectly silly things!" declared Silvia, smothering the peal of laughter that nearly escaped her. 

"Well, it isn't silly, " cried Lucy in an angry whisper, "and it's goingto happen, I know, and she'll give up our school to Miss Anstice, andcome and live here. Oh my!" She looked ready to cry on the spot. "Lookat them!"

Now, Silvia had called Lucy Bennett "silly" hundreds of times, but nowas she looked at Mr. Clemcy and Miss Salisbury, she began to have anuneasy feeling at her heart. "I won't go to school to Miss Anstice, " shedeclared passionately. Then she began to plan immediately. "I'll getmother to let me go to boarding school. "

"And I'll go with you, " exclaimed Lucy radiantly. All this was in stagewhispers, such a buzz going on around them that no one else couldpossibly catch a word. And so in just about two minutes, they had theirimmediate future all planned. 

"Well, you better get up out of that chair, " said Lucy presently, andpicking at Silvia's sleeve. 

"I guess I'm not hurting the chair, " said Silvia, squinting sideways atthe high, carved back. "They asked us in here, --at least _he_ did. "

"Well, he didn't ask us to sit down, " said Lucy triumphantly. 

"And if he's going to marry her, " said Silvia, in a convincing whisper, "I guess I can sit in all the chairs if I want to. "

"Hush!" warned Lucy, "here comes Miss Anstice. "

Miss Anstice, with her front breadth all stained with jelly cake andmarmalade, was wandering around, quite subdued. It was pitiful to seehow she always got into the thickest of the groups to hide her gown, trying to be sociable with the girls. But the girls not reciprocating, she was at last taken in tow by Miss Ophelia, who set about showing hersome rare old china, as a special attention. 

Now, Miss Anstice cared nothing for rare old china, or indeed, forrelics or curiosities of any sort; but she was very meek on thisoccasion, and so she allowed herself to be led about from shelf toshelf; and though she said nothing, Miss Ophelia was so enchanted by herown words and memories, as she described in a fluent and loving mannertheir various claims to admiration, that she thought the younger MissSalisbury quite a remarkable person. 

"Show her the Lowestoft collection, sister, " called Mr. John Clemcy, from across the apartment, and breaking off from his animated discussionover an old Egyptian vase, in which Miss Salisbury had carried herselfbrilliantly. 

"I will, Brother John, " assented Miss Clemcy, with great affability. "Now here, " and she opened the door to its cabinet, "is what willinterest you greatly, I think. "

Suddenly, a crash as of breaking porcelain struck upon the ear. Everyone in the old room jumped, save the persons who might be supposed to bethe most interested--Mr. Clemcy and his sister. Their faces did notchange. 

Miss Salisbury deserted the Egyptian vase. "Who, " she demanded, hurryingto the centre of the apartment, a red spot on either cheek, "has donethis?"

Mr. John Clemcy followed her. "Do not, I beg, " he said quietly, "noticeit. "

"Notice it! after your extreme hospitality--oh! which one of my scholarscan have forgotten herself enough to touch a thing?"

The groups parted a little, just enough to disclose a shrinking figure. It was Lily, whose curious fingers were clasped in distress. 

"She is very young, " said Miss Clemcy softly, as Miss Salisbury detachedher from the group, and passed into another room, crying as if her heartwould break. 

Mr. John Clemcy then came up to his sister and her visitor. "Your sistermust not take it so to heart, " he said. 

Miss Anstice was worn out by this time, what with her gown, and now bythis terrible thing that would bring such discredit upon their school;and besides, it might take ever so much from their savings to replace, for Lily was poor, and was a connection, so they perhaps would have tohelp her out. She therefore could find no words at her command, except, "Oh dear me!" and raised her poor eyes. 

Mr. John Clemcy searched her face intently, and actually smiled toreassure her. She thought he was looking at her gown; so she mumbledfaintly, to draw off his attention, "I am afraid it was very valuable. "

He didn't tell her it was one of the oldest bits in his collection; butwhile Miss Clemcy slipped off, and quietly picked up every piece of thebroken treasure, he turned the conversation, and talked rapidly andcharmingly upon something, --for the life of her, Miss Anstice nevercould tell what. 

And he was still talking when Miss Salisbury brought back Lily by thehand, red-eyed and still sniffling, to stumble over her pleas forpardon. And then, the storm having abated, there were instantpreparations for departure set in motion. And Mr. Kimball and hisassociates helped them into their vehicles, Miss Clemcy's beautiful oldlace showing off finely on the great porch as she bade them good-bye. 

"It is real, I guess, " declared Silvia, looking closely from her seatnext to Lucy. "And, oh dear me, isn't this too horrible, what LilyCushing has done?"

Mr. John Clemcy helped the ladies in, Miss Anstice putting forth all herpowers to enable her to ascend the steep steps without disclosing thefront breadth of her gown. Despite her best endeavors, she felt quitesure that the keen eyes of both brother and sister had discovered everyblemish. 

Miss Salisbury sank back in her seat, as the barge rolled off, quite indespair; for she knew quite well that the broken vase was one of thegems of the collection. 

"Oh, see the lovely rainbow!" The girls' spirits rose, now that theywere once more on the move. What was one broken vase, after all? Andthey began to laugh and talk once more. 

"Oh dear!" Polly Pepper glanced back. "Alexia, this will just about killour dear Miss Salisbury!" she exclaimed. 

"Well, I'm clear beat, " Mr. Kimball was saying to himself, as nobodypaid attention. "You might knock me over with a feather! To think o'that old _ree_cluse that won't know nobody, him nor his sister, an' isso hifalutin' smart, a-bustin' out so _po_lite all of a suddint. "

XVI NEW PLANS

"Polly, " said Jasper, "could you come into the den?"

"Why, yes, Jasper, " she cried, in surprise at his face. "Oh, hasanything happened?"

"No, " he said, but the gloomy look did not disappear. "Oh Polly, it'stoo bad to ask, --were you going to study?" with a glance at her armfulof books. 

"No--that is, I can do them just as well after dinner. " Polly droppedher books on the hall chair. "Oh, what is it, Jasper?" running after himinto the den. 

"It's just this, Polly, I hate to tell you--" He paused, and gloomsettled worse than ever over his face. 

"Jasper, " said Polly quite firmly, and she laid her hand on his arm, "Ireally think you ought to tell me right away what is on your mind. "

"Do you really, Polly?" Jasper asked eagerly. 

"Yes, I do, " said Polly, "unless you had rather tell Mamsie. Perhapsthat would be best, Jasper. "

"No, I don't really think it would in this case, Polly. I will tellyou. " So he drew up a chair, and Polly settled into it, and he perchedon the end of the table. 

"You see, Polly, " he began, "I hate to tell you, but if I don't, why ofcourse you can't in the least understand how to help. "

"No, of course I can't, " said Polly, clasping her hands togethertightly, and trying to wait patiently for the recital. Oh, what could itbe!

"Well, Pickering isn't doing well at school, " said Jasper, in a burst. It was so much better to have it out at once. 

"Oh dear me!" exclaimed Polly, in sorrow. 

"No, he isn't, " said Jasper decidedly; "it grows worse and worse. "

"Dear me!" said Polly again. 

"And now Mr. Faber says there isn't much hope for him, unless he picksup in the last half. He called me into his study to tell me thatto-day--wants me to influence him and all that. "

All the hateful story was out at last. Polly sprang out of her chair. 

"You don't mean--you can't mean, that Pickering will be dropped, Jasper?" she cried as she faced him. 

"Worse than that, " answered Jasper gloomily. 

"Worse than dropped!" exclaimed Polly with wide eyes. 

"To be dropped a class wouldn't kill Pick; so many boys have had thathappen, although it is quite bad enough. "

"I should think so, " breathed Polly. 

"But Pick will simply be shot out of the school, " said Jasperdesperately; "there's no use in mincing matters. Mr. Faber has utterlylost patience; and the other teachers as well. "

"You don't mean that Pickering Dodge will be expelled?" cried Polly in alittle scream. 

"Yes. " Jasper nodded his head, unable to utter another word. Then hesprang off from the table-end, and walked up and down the room, as Pollysank back in her chair. 

"You see, it's just this way, Polly, " he cried. "Pick has had warningafter warning--you know the teachers have a system of sending writtenwarnings around to the boys when they fall behind in their work--and hehasn't paid any attention to them. "

"Won't he pay attention to what the teachers write to him, Jasper?"asked Polly, leaning forward in her big chair to watch him anxiously ashe paced back and forth. 

"No, calls them rubbish, and tears them up; and sometimes he won't evenread them, " said Jasper. "Oh, it's awful, Polly. "

"I should say it was, " said Polly slowly. "Very awful indeed, Jasper. "

"And the last time he had one from Herr Frincke about his German, Pickbrought it into the room where a lot of us boys were, and read it out, with no end of fun over it, and it went into the scrap-basket; and hehasn't tackled his grammar a bit better since; only the translationshe's up a trifle on. "

"Oh, now I know why you wouldn't go to ride with me for the last week, "cried Polly, springing out of her chair to rush up to him, "you've beenhelping Pickering, " she declared, with kindling eyes. 

"Never mind, " said Jasper uneasily. 

"And it was splendid of you, " cried Polly, the color flying over hercheeks. "Oh Jasper, I do believe you can pull him through. "

"No, I can't, Polly. " Jasper stood quite still. "No one can pull himthrough, but you, Polly. "

"I!" exclaimed Polly in amazement. "Why, Jasper King!" and she tumbledback a few steps to stare at him. "What _do_ you mean?"

"It's just this way. " Jasper threw back his hair from his hot forehead. "Pick doesn't care a bit for what I say: it's an old story; goes in atone ear, and out at the other. "

"Oh, he does care for what you say, " contradicted Polly stoutly, "everand ever so much, Jasper. "

"Well, he's heard it so much; perhaps I've pounded at him too hard. Andthen again--" Jasper paused, turned away a bit, and rushed back hastily, with vexation written all over his face. "I must speak it: I can't helphim any more, for somehow Mr. Faber has found it out, and forbids it;that's one reason of the talk this morning in his study--says I mustinfluence him, and all that. That's rubbish; I can't influence him. "Jasper dashed over to lay his head on the table on his folded arms. 

"Polly, if Pick is expelled, I--" he couldn't finish it, his voicebreaking all up. 

Polly ran over to lay a hand on his shaking shoulders. 

"What can I do, Jasper?" she cried brokenly. "Tell me, and I'll do it, every single thing. "

"You must talk to him, " said Jasper, raising his head. It filled Pollywith dismay to see his face. "Get him in here; I'll bring him over andthen clear out of the den. "

"Oh Jasper!" exclaimed Polly, quite aghast. "I couldn't talk toPickering Dodge. Why, he wouldn't listen to me. "

"Yes, he would, " declared Jasper eagerly; "he thinks everything of you, Polly, and if you'll say the word, it will do more good than anythingelse. Do, Polly, " he begged. 

"But, Jasper, " began Polly, a little white line coming around her mouth, "what would he think to have me talk to him about his lessons?"

"Think?" repeated Jasper, "why, he'd like it, Polly, and it will be thevery thing that will help him. "

"Oh, I can't!" cried Polly, twisting her fingers. Then she broke outpassionately, "Oh, he ought to be ashamed of himself not to study; andthere's that nice Mr. Cabot, and his aunt--"

"Aunt!" exclaimed Jasper explosively. "Polly, I do believe if he hadn'ther picking at him all the time, he would try harder. "

"Well, his uncle is different, " said Polly, her indignation by no meansdying out. 

"Yes, but it's his aunt who makes the mischief. Honestly, Polly, I don'tbelieve I could stand her, " said Jasper, in a loyal burst. 

"No, I don't believe I could either, " confessed Polly. 

"And you see, when a boy has such a home, no matter what they give him, why, he doesn't have the ambition that he would if things weredifferent. Just think, Polly, not to have one's own father or mother. "

"Oh Jasper!" cried Polly, quite overcome. "I'll do it, I will. "

"Polly!" Jasper seized her hands, and held them fast, his dark eyesglowing. "Oh Polly, that's so awfully good of you!"

"And you better run right over, and get him now, " said Polly, speakingvery fast, "or I may run away, I shall get so scared. "

"You won't run away, I'll be bound, " cried Jasper, bursting into a merrylaugh, and rushing off with a light heart. And presently, in less timethan one could imagine, though to Polly it seemed an age, back he came, Pickering with him, all alive with curiosity to know what Polly Pepperwanted of him. 

"It's about the play, I suppose, " he began, lolling into an easy-chair;"Jasper wouldn't tell me what it's all about; only seized me by the ear, and told me to come on. Draw up your chair, Jasper, and--why, hullo!where is the chap?" swinging his long figure around to stare. 

"Pickering, " began Polly; and the den, usually the pleasantest place inall the house, was now like a prison, whose walls wouldn't let herbreathe, "I don't know what to say. Oh dear me!" Poor Polly could get nofurther, but sat there in hopeless misery, looking at him. 

"Eh--what? Oh, beg pardon, " exclaimed Pickering, whirling back in hischair, "but things are so very queer; first Jasper rushes off like alunatic--"

"And I am worse, " said Polly, at last finding her tongue. "I don'twonder you think it's queer, Pickering, but Jasper does so love you, andit will just kill him if you don't study. " It was all out now, and inthe most dreadful way. And feeling that she had quite destroyed allhope, Polly sat up pale and stiff in her chair. 

Pickering threw his long figure out of the easy-chair, rushed up anddown the den with immense strides, and came back to stand directly infront of her. 

"Do you mean it, Polly?" His long face was working badly, and his handswere clenched, but as they were thrust deep within his pockets, Pollycouldn't see them. 

"Yes, " said Polly, "I do, Pickering. "

He stalked off again, but was back once more, Polly wondering how shecould possibly bear to tell Jasper of her failure, for of coursePickering was very angry; when he said, "Polly, I want to tell yousomething. "

"What is it?" Polly looked at him sharply, and caught her breath. 

"I won't drag Jasper down, I tell you, with me. I'll get through somehowat school. I promise you that. Here!" He twitched out his right handfrom its pocket, and thrust it out at her. 

"Oh Pickering Dodge!" exclaimed Polly in a transport, and seizing hishand, it was shaken vigorously. 

"There, that's a bargain, " declared Pickering solemnly. "I'll getthrough someway. And say, Polly, it was awfully good of you to speak. "

"It was awfully hard, " said Polly, drawing a long breath. "Oh, are yousure you are not vexed, Pickering? Very sure?" And Polly's face droopedanxiously. 

"Vexed?" cried Pickering. "I should rather say not! Polly, I'm lazy andselfish, and good for nothing; but I couldn't be vexed, for 'twasawfully hard for you to do. "

"I guess it was, " said Polly. Then she gave a little laugh, for it wasall bright and jolly again, and she knew that Pickering would keep hisword. 

And that evening, after Jasper and she had a dance--they were so happy, they couldn't keep still--in the wide hall, Jasper burst out suddenlywith a fresh idea. 

"Polly, " he said, drawing her off to rest on one of the high, carvedchairs, "there's one more thing. "

"Oh, what is it Jasper?" she cried gaily, with flushed cheeks. "Oh, wasn't that spin just delicious?"

"Wasn't it?" cried Jasper heartily. "Well, now, Polly, " flinging himselfdown on the next chair, "it's just this. Do you know, I don't believe weought to have our play. "

"Not have our play?" Polly peered around to look closely into his face. "What do you mean, Jasper?"

"You see, Polly, Pick was to take a prominent part, and he ought notto, you know; it will take him from his lessons to rehearse and allthat. And he's so backward there's a whole lot for him to make up. "

"Well, but Pickering will have to give up his part, then, " said Pollydecidedly, "for we've simply got to have that play, to get the money tohelp that poor brakeman's family. "

Jasper winced. "I know; we must earn it somehow, " he said. 

"We must earn it by the play, " said Polly. "And besides, Jasper, wevoted at the club meeting to have it. So there, now, " she brought uptriumphantly. 

"We could vote to rescind that vote, " said Jasper. 

"Well, we don't want to. Why, Jasper, how that would look on our tworecord books!" said Polly in surprise, for Jasper was so proud of hisclub and its records. 

"Yes, of course; as our two clubs united that evening, it must go downin both books, " said Jasper slowly. 

"Yes, of course, " assented Polly happily. "Well, now, you see, Jasper, that we really _can't_ give it up, for we've gone too far. Pickeringwill have to let some one else take the part of the chief brigand. " Forthe little play was almost all written by Polly's fingers, Jasperfilling out certain parts when implored to give advice: and brigands, and highway robberies, and buried treasures, and rescued maidens, andgallant knights, figured generously, in a style to give immensesatisfaction. 

"And the play is so very splendid!" cried Jasper. "Oh dear me! whatought we to do, Polly?" He buried his face in his hands a moment. 

"Pickering must give up his part, " said Polly again. 

"But, Polly, you know he has been in all our plays, " said Jasper. "Andhe'll feel so badly, and now he's got all this trouble about his lessonson his mind, " and Jasper's face fell. 

Polly twisted uncomfortably on her chair. "Oh dear me!" she began, "Isuppose we must give it up. "

"And if we gave it up, not altogether, but put it off till he catches upon his studies, " suggested Jasper, "why, he wouldn't be dropped out. "

"But the poor brakeman's family, Jasper, " said Polly, puzzled thatJasper should forget the object of the play. 

"Oh, I didn't mean that we should put off earning the money, Polly, "cried Jasper, quite horrified at such a thought. "We must do somethingelse, so that we can sell just as many tickets. "

"But what will it be?" asked Polly, trying not to feel crushed, andsighing at the disappearance of the beautiful play, for a time at least. 

"Well, we could have recitations, for one thing, " said Jasper, feelingdreadfully to see Polly's disappointment, and concealing his own, for hehad set his heart on the play too. 

"Oh dear me!" exclaimed Polly, wrinkling up her face in disdain. "Jasper, do you know, I am so tired of recitations!"

"So am I, " Jasper bobbed his head in sympathy, "but we boys have somenew ones, learned for last exhibition, so Pick won't have to take amoment from his lessons. And then we can have music, and you will play, Polly. "

"Oh Jasper, I've played so much, " said Polly, "they're all tired ofhearing me. "

"They never would be tired of hearing you, Polly, " said Jasper simply. "Every one of us thinks you play beautifully. "

"And tableaux and an operetta take just as much time to rehearse, " musedPolly, thinking very hard if there wasn't something to keep them fromthe dreaded recitations. 

"And I just loathe an operetta or tableaux, " exclaimed Jasper, with suchvenom that Polly burst out laughing. 

"Oh Jasper, if you could see your face!" she cried. 

"I shouldn't want to, " he laughed too; "but of all insipid things, anoperetta is the worst; and tableaux--the way Miss Montague drilled anddrilled _and_ drilled us, and then stuck us up like sticks not to movefor a half-hour or so, nearly finished me. "

"So it did me, " confessed Polly. "And besides, it would take a greatdeal more time to go through all that drilling than to rehearse theplay. "

"Of course it would, " said Jasper, "so tableaux, thank fortune, are notto be thought of. I think it will have to be recitations and music, Polly. "

"I suppose so, " she said with a sigh. "Oh Jasper!" then she sprang offfrom her chair, and clapped her hands. "I've thought of the very thing. I believe Mr. Hamilton Dyce would tell some of his funny stories andhelp out the program. "

"Capital!" shouted Jasper; and just at this moment the big front dooropened, and the butler ushered in Miss Mary Taylor and Mr. Dyce. 

Polly and Jasper rushed up to the visitors, for they were primefavorites with the young people, and precipitated upon them all theirwoes. The end was, that they both promised beautifully to do whateverwas wanted, for Miss Mary Taylor sang delightfully. 

"And Pickering is safe, Polly, for I know now he'll go through the lasthalf, " cried Jasper as they ran off to study their lessons for the nextday. 

XVII PHRONSIE

And after that, there was no more trouble about that program, for asluck would have it, the very next day a letter came from Joel, sayingthat Dr. Marks had given them a holiday of a week on account of theillness of two boys in their dormitory, and, "May I bring home TomBeresford? He's no-end fine!" and, "Please, Mamsie, let me fetch Sinbad!Do telegraph 'Yes. '"

And Mother Fisher, after consultation with Mr. King, telegraphed "Yes;"and wild was the rejoicing over the return of Joel and David and Percyand Van, and Tom; for Mother Fisher was ready to receive with open arms, and very glad silently to watch, one of Joel's friends. 

"And to think that Sinbad is coming!" cried Polly, dancing about. "Justthink, Phronsie, Joel's dear dog that Dr. Marks let him take to thelittle cobbler to keep for him!" And she took Phronsie's hand, and theyspun around the hall. 

"I shall get him a new pink ribbon, " declared Phronsie breathlessly, when the spin was over. 

"Do, " cried Polly. "Dear me! that was a good spin, Phronsie!"

"I should think it was, " said Ben. "Goodness me! Polly, Phronsie and youmade such a breeze!"

"Didn't we, Pet!" cried Polly, with a last kiss. "Oh Ben and Jasper, tothink those boys will be here for our entertainment!"

"I know Tom is made of the right stuff, " Mamsie said proudly to FatherFisher, "else my boy would not choose him. "

"That's a fact, wife, " the little doctor responded heartily. "Joel isall right; may be a bit heedless, but he has a good head on hisshoulders. "

The five boys bounded into the wide hall that evening--Joel first; andin his arms, a yellow dog, by no means handsome, with small, beady eyes, and a stubby tail that he was violently endeavoring to wag, under theimpression that he had a good deal of it. 

"Mamsie!" shouted Joel, his black eyes glowing, and precipitatinghimself into her arms, dog and all, "See Sinbad! See, Mamsie!"

"It's impossible not to see him, " said Ben. "Goodness me, Joe, what adog!" which luckily Joel did not hear for the babel going on around. Besides, there was Phronsie trying to put her arms around the dog, andtelling him about the pink ribbon which she held in her hand. 

"Joe, " said Dr. Fisher, who had been here, there, and everywhere in thegroup, and coming up to nip Joel's jacket, "introduce your friend. You're a pretty one, to bring a boy home, and--"

"I forgot you, Tom, " shouted Joel, starting off, still hanging to hisdog; "oh, there you are!" seeing Tom in the midst of the circle, andtalking away to Grandpapa and Polly. 

"As if I couldn't introduce Tom!" sniffed Percy importantly, quitedelighted at Joel's social omissions. "I've done it ages ago. "

"All right, " said Joel, quite relieved. "Oh Phronsie, Sinbad doesn'twant that ribbon on, " as Phronsie was making violent efforts to get itaround the dog's neck. 

"I would let her, Joel, " said Mother Fisher, "if I were you. "

"But he hates a ribbon, " said Joel in disgust, "and besides, he'll chewit up, Phronsie. "

"I don't want him to chew it up, Joel, " said Phronsie slowly, andpausing in her endeavors. And she looked very sober. 

"I'll tell you, Phronsie. " Mrs. Fisher took the pink satin ribbon thatPhronsie had bought with her own money. "Now, do you want mother to tieit on?"

"Do, Mamsie, " begged Phronsie, smoothing her gown in great satisfaction. And presently there was a nice little bow standing up on the back ofSinbad's neck; and as there didn't seem to be any ends to speak of, there was nothing to distract his attention from the responsibility ofwatching all the people. 

"Oh, isn't he _beautiful_!" cried Phronsie in a transport, and hoppingup and down to clap her hands. "Grandpapa dear, do look; and I've toldPrincey all about him, and given him a ribbon too, so he won't feelbadly. "

And after this excitement had died down, Joel whirled around. "Tom'sbrought his banjo, " he announced. 

"Oh!" exclaimed Polly. 

"And he can sing, " cried Joel, thinking it best to mention all theaccomplishments at once. 

"Don't, Joe, " begged Tom, twitching his sleeve. 

Polly looked over at Jasper, with sparkling eyes, and the color flewinto her cheeks. 

"Splendid!" his eyes signalled back. 

"What is it?" cried Joel, giving each a sharp glance. "Now you two havesecrets; and that's mean, when we've just got home. What is it, Polly?"He ran to her, shaking her arm. 

"You'll see in time, " said Polly, shaking him off, to dance away. 

"I don't want to know in time, " said Joel, "I want to know now. Mamsie, what is it?"

"I'm sure I haven't the least idea, " said Mother Fisher, who hadn'theard Joel's announcement. "And I think you would do better, Joey, totake care of your guest, and let other things wait. "

"Oh, Tom doesn't want to be fussed over, " said Joel carelessly; yet hewent back to the tall boy standing quite still, in the midst of thegeneral hilarity. "That's just the way Ben and Polly used to do in thelittle brown house, " he grumbled--"always running away, and hiding theirold secrets from me, Tom. "

"Well, we had to, if we ever told each other anything, " said Ben coolly. "Joel everlastingly tagged us about, Beresford. "

"Well, I had to, if I ever heard anything, " burst out Joel, with alaugh. "Come on, Tom, " and he bore him off together with Sinbad. 

"Polly, " Jasper was saying, the two now being off in a corner, "howfine! Now, perhaps Tom Beresford will sing. "

"And play, " finished Polly, with kindling face. "Oh Jasper, was anythingever so gorgeous!" she cried joyfully, for Polly dearly lovedhigh-sounding words; "and we'll sell a lot more tickets, because he'snew, and people will want to hear him. "

"If he will do it, " said Jasper slowly, not wanting to dampen heranticipation, but dreadfully afraid that the new boy might not respond. 

"Oh, he'll do it, I do believe, " declared Polly confidently; "he must, Jasper, help about that poor brakeman's family. "

And he did. Tom Beresford evidently made up his mind, when he went homewith Joel, to do everything straight through that the family asked him, for he turned out to be the best visitor they had entertained, and oneand all pronounced him capital. All but Joel himself, who told him veryflatly the second day that he wasn't half as nice as at school, for hewas now running at everybody's beck and nod. 

"Instead of yours, " said Tom calmly. Then he roared. 

"Hush up, " cried Joel, very uncomfortable, and getting very red. "Well, you must acknowledge, Tom, that I want to see something of you, else whywould I have brought you home, pray tell?"

"Nevertheless, I shall do what your sister Polly and your mother andJasper and Mr. King ask me to do, " said Tom composedly, which was allJoel got for his fuming. And the most that he saw of Tom after that wasa series of dissolving views, for even Phronsie began to monopolize him, being very much taken with his obliging ways. 

At last Joel took to moping, and Ben found him thus in a corner. 

"See here, old fellow, that's a nice way, --to come home on a holiday, and have such a face. I don't wonder you want to sneak in here. "

"It's pretty hard, " said Joel, trying not to sniffle, "to have a fellowyou bring home from school turn his back on you. "

"Well, he couldn't turn his back on you, " said Ben, wanting very much tolaugh, but he restrained himself, "if you went with him. "

"I can't follow him about, " said Joel, in a loud tone of disgust. "He'stwanging his old banjo all the time, and Polly's got him to sing, andhe's practising up. I wish 'twas smashed. "

"What?" said Ben, only half comprehending. 

"Why, his old banjo. I didn't think he'd play it all the time, " saidJoel, who was secretly very proud of his friend's accomplishments; andhe displayed a very injured countenance. 

"See here, now, Joe, " said Ben, laying a very decided hand on Joel'sjacket, "do you just drop all this, and come out of your hole. Aren'tyou ashamed, Joe! Run along, and find Beresford, and pitch into whateverhe's doing. "

"I can't do anything for that old concert, " said Joel, who obeyed enoughto come "out of the old hole, " but stood glancing at Ben with sharpblack eyes. 

"I don't know about that, " said Ben, "you can at least help to get thetickets ready. "

"Did Polly say so?" demanded Joel, all in a glow. "Say, Ben, did she?"advancing on him. 

"No, but I do; for Polly asked me to do them; and you know, Joe, howbusy I am all day. "

He didn't say "how tired" also, but Joel knew how Ben was working atCabot and Van Meter's, hoping to get into business life the sooner, tobegin to pay Grandpapa back for all his kindness. 

"Ben, if I can help you with those tickets I'll do it. " Every trace ofJoel's grumpiness had flown to the four winds. "Let me, will you?" hebegged eagerly. 

"All right. " Ben had no need to haul him along, as Joel raced on aheadup to Ben's room to get the paraphernalia. 

"I can't think what's become of Joel, " said Polly, flying down the longhall in great perplexity, "we want him dreadfully. Have you seen him, Phronsie?"

"No, " said Phronsie, "I haven't, Polly, " and a look of distress cameinto her face. 

"Never mind, Pet, " said Polly, her brow clearing, "I'll find him soon. "

But Phronsie watched Polly fly off, with a troubled face. Then she saidto herself, "I ought to find Joey for Polly, " and started on a tour ofinvestigation to suit herself. 

Meanwhile Ben was giving Joel instructions about the tickets; and Joelpresently was so absorbed he wouldn't have cared if all the TomBeresfords in the world had deserted him, as he bent over his task, quite elated that he was helping Polly, and becoming one of theassistants to make the affair a success. 

"I guess it's going to be a great thing, Ben, " he said, looking up amoment from the pink and yellow pasteboard out of which he was cuttingthe tickets. 

"You better believe so, " nodded Ben, hugely delighted to see Joe's goodspirits, when the door opened, and in popped Phronsie's yellow head. 

She ran up to Joel. "Oh Joey!" she hummed delightedly, "I've found you, "and threw herself into his arms. 

Joel turned sharply, knife in hand. It was all done in an instant. Phronsie exclaimed, "_Oh!_" in such a tone that Ben, off in the cornerof the room, whirled around, to see Joel, white as a sheet, holdingPhronsie. "I've killed her, " he screamed. 

Ben sprang to them. The knife lay on the table, where Joel had thrownit, a little red tinge along the tip. Ben couldn't help seeing it as hedashed by, with a groan. 

"Give her to me, " he commanded hoarsely. 

"No, no--I'll hold her, " persisted Joel, through white lips, and hangingto Phronsie. 

"Give her to me, and run down for Father Fisher. "

"It doesn't hurt much, Joey, " said Phronsie, holding up her little arm. A small stream of blood was flowing down, and she turned away her head. 

Joel took one look, and fled with wild eyes. "I don't believe it's verybad, " Ben made himself call after him hoarsely. "Now, Phronsie, you'llsit in my lap--there; and I'll keep this old cut together as well as Ican. We must hold your arm up, so, child. " Ben made himself talk as fastas he could to keep Phronsie's eyes on him. 

"I got cut in the little brown house once, didn't I, Bensie?" saidPhronsie, and trying to creep up further into Ben's lap. 

"You must sit straight, child, " said Ben. Oh, would Father Fisher andMamsie ever come! for the blood, despite all his efforts, was runningdown the little arm pretty fast. 

"Why, Ben?" asked Phronsie, with wide eyes, and wishing that her armwouldn't ache so, for now quite a smart pain had set in. "Why, Bensie?"and thinking if she could be cuddled, it wouldn't be quite so bad. 

"Why, we must hold your arm up stiff, " said Ben, just as Mamsie came upto her baby, and took her in her arms; and then Phronsie didn't carewhether the ache was there or not. 

"Joe couldn't help it, " said Ben brokenly. 

"I believe that, " Mother Fisher said firmly. "Oh Ben, the doctor isaway. "

Ben started. "I'll go down to the office; perhaps he's there. "

"No; there's no chance. I've sent for Dr. Pennell. Your father likeshim. Now Phronsie"--Mrs. Fisher set her white lips togethertightly--"you and I and Ben will see to this arm of yours. Ben, get oneof your big handkerchiefs. "

"It doesn't ache so _very_ much, Mamsie, " said Phronsie, "only I wouldlike to lay it down. "

"And that is just what we can't do, Phronsie, " said Mother Fisherdecidedly. "All right, " to Ben, "now tear it into strips. "

Old Mr. King was not in the library when Joel had rushed down with hisdreadful news, but was in Jasper's den, consulting with him and Pollyabout the program for the entertainment, as Polly and Jasper, much tothe old gentleman's delight, never took a step without going to him foradvice. The consequence was that these three did not hear of theaccident till a little later, when the two Whitney boys dashed in withpale faces, "Phronsie's hurt, " was their announcement, which wouldn'thave been given so abruptly had not each one been so anxious to getahead of the other. 

Old Mr. King, not comprehending, had turned sharply in his chair tostare at them. 

"Hush, boys, " warned Polly, hoarsely pointing to him; "is Mamsie withher?" She didn't dare to speak Phronsie's name. 

"Yes, " said Van, eager to communicate all the news, and hoping Percywould not cut in. But Percy, after Polly's warning, had stood quitestill, afraid to open his mouth. 

Jasper was hunting in one of his drawers for an old book his father hadwished to see. So of course he hadn't heard a word. 

"Here it is, father, " he cried, rushing back and whirling theleaves--"why, what?" for he saw Polly's face. 

"Oh Jasper--don't, " said Polly brokenly. 

"Why do you boys rush in, in this manner?" demanded old Mr. Kingtestily. "And, Polly, child, what is the matter?"

"Grandpapa, " cried Polly, rushing over to him to put her arms around hisneck, "Phronsie is hurt someway. I don't believe it is much, " shegasped, while Jasper ran to his other side. 

"Phronsie hurt!" cried old Mr. King in sharp distress. "Where is she?"

Then Percy, seeing it was considered time for communication of news, struck in boldly; and between the two, all that was known of Joel's wildexclamations was put before them. All this was told along the hall andgoing over the stairs; for Grandpapa, holding Polly's hand, with Jasperhurrying fast behind them, was making good time up to Ben's room. 

"And Dr. Fisher can't be found, " shouted Van, afraid that the wholewould not be told. Polly gave a shiver that all her self-control couldnot help. 

"But Joel's gone for Dr. Pennell, " screamed Percy; "Mrs. Fisher senthim. "

"He's very good, " said Jasper comfortingly. So this is the way they cameinto Ben's room. 

"Oh, here's Grandpapa!" cooed Phronsie, trying to get down from Mamsie'slap. 

"Oh, no, Phronsie, " said Mrs. Fisher, "you must sit still; it's betterfor your arm. "

"But Grandpapa looks sick, " said Phronsie. 

"Bless me--oh, you poor lamb, you!" Old Mr. King went unsteadily acrossthe room, and knelt down by her side. 

"Grandpapa, " said Phronsie, stroking his white face, "see, it's all tiedup high. "

"Sit still, Phronsie, " said Mrs. Fisher, keeping her fingers on the cut. Would the doctor ever come? Besides Joel, Thomas and several moremessengers were despatched with orders for Dr. Pennell and to find Dr. Fisher, with the names of other doctors if these failed. God would sendsome one of them soon, she knew. 

Phronsie obediently sat quite still, although she longed to showGrandpapa the white bandages drawn tightly around her arm. And shesmoothed his hair, while he clasped his hands in her lap. 

"I want Polly, " she said presently. 

"Stay where you are, Polly, " said her mother, who had telegraphed thisbefore with her eyes, over Phronsie's yellow hair. 

Polly, at the sound of Phronsie's voice, had leaned forward, but nowstood quite still, clasping her hands tightly together. 

"Speak to her, Polly, " said Jasper. 

But Polly shook her head, unable to utter a sound. 

"Polly, you must, " said Jasper, for Phronsie was trying to turn in hermother's lap, and saying in a worried way, "Where's Polly? I wantPolly. "

"Polly is over there, " said Mamsie, "but I do not think it's best forher to come now. But she'll speak to you, Phronsie. "

"How funny!" laughed Phronsie. "Polly can't come, but she'll talk acrossthe room. "

Everything turned black before Polly's eyes; but she began, "Yes, Pet, I'm here, " very bravely. 

"I am so glad you are there, Polly, " said Phronsie, easily satisfied. 

Footsteps rapid and light were heard on the stairs. Polly and Jasperflew away from the doorway to let Dr. Pennell, his little case in hishand, come in. 

"Well, well!" he exclaimed cheerily, "so now it's Phronsie; I'm comingto her this time, " for he had often dropped in to call or to dine sincethe railway accident. 

"Yes, " said Phronsie, with a little laugh of delight, for she very muchliked Dr. Pennell. He always took her on his lap, and told her stories;and he had a way of tucking certain little articles in his pockets tohave her hunt for them. So they had gotten on amazingly well. 

"Why, where--" Phronsie began in a puzzled way. 

"Is Dr. Fisher?" Dr. Pennell finished it for her, rapidly going on withhis work. "Well, he'll be here soon, I think. And you know he alwayslikes me to do things when he isn't on hand. So I've come. "

"And I like you very much, " said Phronsie, wriggling her toes insatisfaction. 

"I know that; we are famous friends, Phronsie, " said the doctor, withone of those pleasant smiles of his that showed his white teeth. 

"What's famous?" asked Phronsie, keeping her grave eyes on his face. 

"Oh, fine; it means first-rate. We are fine friends, aren't we, Phronsie?"

"Yes, we are, " declared Phronsie, bending forward to see his work thebetter, and taking her eyes from his face. 

"There, there, you must sit quite straight. That's a nice child, Phronsie. And see here! I must take you sometime in my carriage when Igo on my calls. Will you go, Phronsie?" and Dr. Pennell smiled again. 

"Yes, I will. " Phronsie nodded her yellow head, while she fastened hereyes on his face. "I used to go with Papa Fisher when I was at thelittle brown house, and I liked it; I did. "

"Well, and now you will go with me, " laughed Dr. Pennell. "Now, Phronsie, I think you are fixed up quite nicely, " slipping the variousarticles he had used, deftly into his little bag, and snapping it to. 

"Not a very bad affair, " he said, whirling around to old Mr. King, drawndeeply within a big chair, having already telegraphed the same to MotherFisher over Phronsie's head. 

"Thank the Lord!" exclaimed the old gentleman. 

"Well, now I'm going to send every one out of the room, " announced Dr. Pennell, authoritatively. "Hurry now!" he clapped his hands and laughed. 

Old Mr. King sat quite still, fully determined not to obey. But thedoctor, looking over him fixedly, seemed to expect him to leave; andalthough he still had that pleasant smile, he didn't exactly give theimpression that his medical authority could be tampered with. So the oldgentleman found himself outside the door. 

"And now, we must find Joel, " Polly was saying to Jasper. 

XVIII TOM'S STORY

Joel had no cause to complain now that Tom Beresford did not stick tohim, for there he was hanging over him as he crouched into as small aheap as possible into a corner of Mamsie's sofa. 

And there he had been ever since Joel had rushed in with Dr. Pennell;when, not daring to trust himself up in Ben's room, he had dashed forrefuge to Mamsie's old sofa. 

Tom had not wasted many words, feeling sure under similar circumstanceshe shouldn't like to be talked to; but he had occasionally patted Joel'sstubby head in a way not to be misunderstood, and once in a while Joelthrust out a brown hand which Tom had gripped fast. 

"It's all right, old boy, I verily believe, " Tom cried with suddenenergy, "so brace up; what's the use of your going to pieces, anyway?"

"It's Phronsie, " gasped Joel, and burrowing deeper into the cushion. 

"Well, I know it, " said Tom, gulping down his sorrow, for he had pettedPhronsie a good deal; so he was feeling the blow quite sharply himself, "but you won't help matters along any, I tell you, by collapsing. "

"Go out into the hall, will you, Tom, " begged Joel, huddling down, unwilling to listen himself, "and see if you can hear anything. "

So Tom skipping out into the wide upper hall, thankful for any action, but dreading the errand, stole to the foot of the stairs, and craned hisear to catch the faintest sound from above. 

There was only a little murmur, for Dr. Pennell was in the midst ofoperations, and not enough to report. Thankful that it was no worse, Tomskipped back. "All's quiet along the Potomac. "

"_Ugh!_" exclaimed Joel, burrowing deeper. Suddenly he threw himself upstraight and regarded Tom out of flashing eyes. "I've killed Phronsie, "he cried huskily, "and you know it, and won't tell me!"

"Joel Pepper!" cried Tom, frightened half out of his wits, and rushingto him; "lie down again, " laying a firm hand on his shoulder. 

"I won't, " roared Joel wildly, and shaking him off. "You're keepingsomething from me, Tom. "

"You're an idiot, " declared Tom, thinking it quite time to behigh-handed, "a first-class, howling idiot, Pepper, to act so. If youdon't believe me, when I say I haven't anything to keep back from you, I'll go straight upstairs. Some one will tell me. "

"Hurry along, " cried Joel feverishly. But Tom had gotten no further thanthe hall, when Joel howled, "Come back, Tom, I'll try--to--to bear it. "And Tom flying back, Joel was buried as far as his face went, inMamsie's cushion, sobbing as if his heart would break. 

"It will disturb--them, " he said gustily, in between his sobs. 

Tom Beresford let him cry on, and thrust his hands in his pockets, tostalk up and down the room. He longed to whistle, to give vent to hisfeelings; but concluding that wouldn't be understood, but be consideredheartless, he held himself in check, and counted the slow minutes, forthis was deadly tiresome, and beginning to get on his nerves. "I shallscreech myself before long, I'm afraid. "

At last Joel rolled over. "Come here, do, Tom, " and when Tom got there, glad enough to be of use, Joel pulled him down beside the sofa, andgripped him as only Joel could. "Do you mind, Tom? I want to hang on tosomething. "

"No, indeed, " said Tom heartily, vastly pleased, although he was nearlychoked. "Now you're behaving better. " He patted him on the back. "Hark, Joe! The doctor's laughing!"

They could hear it distinctly now, and as long as he lived, Joelthought, he never heard a sweeter sound. He sprang to his feet, upsetting Tom, who rolled over on his back to the floor. 

Just then in rushed Polly and Jasper, surrounding him, and in a minute, "Oh, is Tom sick?"

"No, " said Tom, picking himself up grimly, "only Joe's floored me, hewas so glad to hear the doctor laugh. "

"Oh, you poor, poor boy!" Polly was mothering Joel now, just as Mamsiewould have done; and Tom looking on with all his eyes, as he thought ofhis own home, with neither mother nor sister, didn't hear Jasper atfirst. So Jasper pulled his arm. 

"See here, Beresford, you and I will go down to the library, I think. "

"All right, " said Tom, allowing himself to be led off, though he wouldmuch have preferred remaining. 

"Now, Joel, " said Polly, after they had gone, and the petting hadcontinued for some minutes, "you must just be a brave boy, and pleaseMamsie, and stop crying, " for Joel had been unable to stop the tears. 

"I--I--didn't--see--Phronsie coming, " wailed Joel afresh. 

"Of course you didn't, " said Polly, stroking his black curls. "Why, JoeyPepper, did you think for an instant that any one blamed you?" Sheleaned over and set some kisses, not disturbing Joel that some of themfell on his stubby nose. 

"N-no, " said Joel, through the rain of drops down his cheeks, "but itwas Phronsie, Polly. " It was no use to try to check him yet, for theboy's heart was almost broken, and so Polly let him cry on. But shebestowed little reassuring pats on his shaking shoulders, all the whilesaying the most comforting things she could think of. 

"And just think, Joey, " she cried suddenly, "you were the one who foundDr. Pennell. Oh, I should think you'd be so glad!"

"I am glad, " said Joel, beginning to feel a ray of comfort. 

"And how quickly you brought him, Joe!" said Polly, delighted at theeffect of her last remark. 

"Did I?" said Joel in a surprised way, and roused out of his crying; "Ithought it was ever so long, Polly. "

"I don't see how you ever did it, Joel, in all this world, " declaredPolly positively. 

Joel didn't say that it was because he was a sprinter at school, hefound himself equal to the job; nor did he think it of enough importanceto mention how many people he had run into, leaving a great amount ofvexation in his rear as he sped on. 

"He was just going out of his door, " he announced simply. 

"Oh Joey!" gasped Polly. Then she hugged him rapturously. "But youcaught him. "

"Yes, I caught him, and we jumped into his carriage; and that's all. "

"But it was something to be always proud of, " cried Polly, in atransport. 

Joel, feeling very glad that there was something to be proud of at allin this evening's transactions, sat up quite straight at this, andwiped his eyes. 

"Now that's a good boy, " said Polly encouragingly. "Mamsie will be veryglad. " And she ran over to get a towel, dip it in the water basin, andbring it back. 

"Oh, that feels so good!" said Joel, with a wintry smile, as she soppedhis red eyelids and poor, swollen nose. 

"So it must, " said Polly pitifully, "and I'm going to bring the basinhere, and do it some more. " Which she did; so that by the time Phronsiewas brought downstairs to sleep in Mrs. Fisher's room, Joel was quitepresentable. 

"Here they come!" announced Polly radiantly, hearing the noise on thestairs, and running back to set the basin and towel in their places. "Now, Joey, you can see for yourself that Phronsie is all right. "

And there she was, perched on Dr. Pennell's shoulder, to be sure, andMamsie hurrying in to her boy, and everything was just as beautiful asit could be!

"See, Joel, I'm all fixed up nice, " laughed Phronsie from her perch. 

[Illustration: "SEE, JOEL, I'M ALL FIXED UP NICE, " LAUGHED PHRONSIE FROMHER PERCH. ]

Joel's mouth worked dreadfully, but he saw Mamsie's eyes, so he piped upbravely, "I'm so glad, Phronsie. " It sounded very funnily, for it diedaway in his throat, and he couldn't have said another word possibly; butPhronsie was sleepy, and didn't notice. And then the doctor said theymust go out; so with a last glance at Phronsie, to be sure that she wasall right, Joel went off, Polly holding his hand. 

The next evening they were all drawn up before the library fire; Pollyon the big rug with Joel's head in her lap, his eyes fixed on Phronsie, who was ensconced in an easy-chair, close to which Grandpapa wassitting. 

"Tell stories, do, Polly, " begged Van. 

"Yes, do, Polly, " said little Dick, who had spent most of the day intrying to get near to Phronsie, keeping other people very much occupiedin driving him off, as she had to be very quiet. "Do, Polly, " he begged. 

"Oh, Polly's tired, " said Jasper, knowing that she had been withPhronsie all her spare time, and looking at the brown eyes which weredrooping a bit in the firelight. 

"Oh, no, I will, " said Polly, rousing herself, and feeling that sheought not to be tired, when Phronsie was getting well so fast, andeverything was so beautiful. "I'll tell you one. Let me see, what shallit be about?" and she leant her head in her hands to think a bit. 

"Let her off, " said Jasper; "do, boys. I'll tell you one instead, " hesaid. 

"No, we don't want yours, " said Van, not very politely. "We wantPolly's. "

"For shame, Van!" said Percy, who dearly loved to reprove his brother, and never allowed the occasion to slip when he could do so. 

"For shame yourself!" retorted Van, flinging himself down on the rug. "You're everlastingly teasing Polly to do things when she's tired todeath. So there, Percy Whitney. "

"Oh, I'll tell the story, " Polly said, hastily bringing her brown headup, while Phronsie began to look troubled. 

"I'd like to tell a story, " said Tom Beresford slowly, where he sat justback of the big rug. 

All the young folks turned to regard him, and Van was just going to say, "Oh, we don't want yours, Tom, " when Polly leaned forward, "Oh, willyou--will you, Tom?" so eagerly that Van hadn't the heart to object. 

"Yes, I will, " promised Tom, nodding at her. 

"Well, get down on the rug, then, " said Jasper, moving up; "thestory-teller always has to have a place of honor here. "

"That so?" cried Tom; "well, here goes, " and he precipitated himself atonce into the midst of things. 

"Ow! get out, " cried Van crossly, and giving him a push. 

"Oh Vanny!" said Polly reprovingly. 

"Well, he's so big and long, " grumbled Van, who didn't fancy anybodycoming between him and Polly. 

"I might cut off a piece of my legs, " said Tom, "to oblige you, Isuppose. They are rather lengthy, and that's a fact, " regarding them asthey stretched out in the firelight. "I'll curl 'em up in a twist like aTurk, " which he did. 

"Well, now, " said Jasper, "we are ready. So fire ahead, Beresford. "

Joel, who all this time had been regarding his friend curiously, havingnever heard him tell a story at Dr. Marks' school, couldn't keep hiseyes from him, but regarded him with a fixed stare, which Tom wascareful to avoid, by looking steadily into the fire. 

"Well, now, I'm not fine at expressing myself, " he began. 

"I should think not, " put in Joel uncomplimentarily. 

"Joe, you beggar, hush up!" said Jasper, with a warning pinch. 

"Yes, just sit on that individual, will you, Jasper?" said Tom, over hisshoulder, "or I never will even begin. "

So, Jasper promising to quench all further disturbance on Joel's part, the story was taken up. 

"I can only tell a plain, unvarnished tale, " said Tom, "but it's onethat ought to be told, and in this very spot. Perhaps you don't any ofyou know, that in Dr. Marks' school it's awfully hard to be good. "

"Is it any harder than in any other school, Tom?" asked Mrs. Fisherquietly. 

Tom turned, to reply: "I don't know, Mrs. Fisher, because I haven't beenat any other school. But I can't imagine a place where everything ismade so hard for a boy. To begin with, there is old Fox. "

"Oh Tom!" exclaimed Phronsie, leaning forward, whereat old Mr. King laida warning hand upon the well arm. "There, there, Phronsie; sit back, child;" so she obeyed. "But, Grandpapa, he said there was an old fox atJoey's school, " she declared, dreadfully excited, and lifting her faceto his. 

"Well, and so she is, Phronsie, " declared Tom, whirling his long bodysuddenly around, thereby receiving a dig in the back from Van, whoconsidered him intruding on his space, "a fox by name, and a fox bynature; but we'll call her, for convenience, a person. "

"She's the matron, " said Percy, feeling called upon to explain. 

"Oh!" said Phronsie, drawing a long breath, "but I thought Tom said shewas a fox, Grandpapa. "

"That's her name, " said Tom, nodding at her; "Jemima Fox--isn't that asweet name, Phronsie?"

"I don't think it is a _very_ sweet one, Tom, " said Phronsie, feelingquite badly to be obliged to say so. 

"I agree with you, " said Tom, while the others all laughed. "Well, Phronsie, she's just as far from being nice as her name is. "

"Oh dear me!" exclaimed Phronsie, looking quite grieved. 

"But I have something nice to tell you, " said Tom quickly, "so I'llhurry on, and let the other personages at Dr. Marks' slide. Well, --butI want you all to understand, though"--and he wrinkled up hisbrows, --"that when a fellow does real, bang-up, fine things at thatschool, it means something. You will, won't you?" He included them allnow in a sweeping glance, letting his blue eyes rest the longest on Mrs. Fisher's face; while Phronsie broke in, "What's bang-up, Grandpapa?"

"You must ask Tom, " replied Grandpapa, with a little laugh. 

"Oh, that's just schoolboy lingo, " Tom made haste to say, as his facegot red. 

"What's lingo?" asked Phronsie, more puzzled than before. 

"That's--that's--oh, dear!" Tom's face rivalled the firelight by thistime, for color. 

"Phronsie, I wouldn't ask any more questions now, " said Polly gently. "Boys say so many things; and it isn't necessary to know now. Let'slisten to the story. "

"I will, " said Phronsie, feeling quite relieved that it wasn't reallyincumbent on her to ask for explanations. So she sat back quietly in herbig chair, while Tom shot Polly a grateful look. 

"Well, there are lots of chaps at our school, " went on Tom--"I supposethere are at all schools, but at any rate we have them in a bigquantity, --who are mad when they see the other boys get on. "

"Oh, Tom!" exclaimed Polly. 

"Yes, they are--mad clear through, " declared Tom positively. "And it'sprincipally in athletics. " Phronsie made a little movement at this word, but, remembering that she was not to ask questions, for Polly had saidso, she became quiet again. 

"They simply can't bear that a boy gets ahead of 'em; it just knocks 'emall up. " Tom was rushing on, with head thrown back and gazing into thefire. 

"Tom, " said Joel, bounding up suddenly to take his head out of Polly'slap, and to sit quite straight, "I wouldn't run on like this if I wereyou. "

"You hush up, Pepper, " said Tom coolly. "I haven't said a word aboutyou. I shall say what I like. I tell you, it does just knock 'em all up. I know, for I've been that way myself. "

This was getting on such dangerous ground, that Joel opened his mouth toremonstrate, but Polly put her hand over it. "I'd let Tom tell hisstory just as he wants to, " which had the effect of smothering Joel'sspeech for the time being. 

"I thought, Jasper, you were going to quench Joe, " observed Tom, whoseemed to have the power to see out of the back of his head, and now wasconscious of the disturbance. "You don't seem to be much good. "

"Oh, Polly's doing it this time, " said Jasper; "I'll take him in tow onthe next offence. "

"Yes, I have, " declared Tom, "been that way myself. I'm going to tellyou how, and then I'll feel better about it. " His ruddy face turnedquite pale now, and his eyes shone. 

"Stop him, " howled Joel, all restraint thrown to the winds, and shakingoff Polly's fingers. 

Jasper leaned forward. "I'm bound to make you keep the peace, Joe, " hesaid, shaking his arm. 

"But he's going to tell about things he ought not to, " cried Joel, in anagony. "Do stop him, Jasper. "

Mother Fisher leaned forward, and fastened her black eyes on Joel'sface. "I think Tom better go on, Joel, " she said. "I want to hear it. "

That settled the matter; and Joel threw himself down, his face buriedin Polly's lap, while he stuck his fingers in his ears. 

"I'm going to tell you all this story, " Tom was saying, "because I oughtto. You won't like me very well after it, but it's got to come out. Well, I might as well mention names now, since Joe has got to keepstill. You can't guess how he's been tormented by some of those cads, simply because he's our best tennis player, and on the football team. They've made things hum for him!" Tom threw back his head, and clenchedhis fist where it lay in his lap. "And the rest of us boys got mad, especially at one of them. He was the ringleader, and the biggest cadand bully of them all. "

No one said a word. 

"I hate to mention names; it seems awfully mean. " Tom's face got fieryred again. "And yet, as you all know, why, it can't be helped. Jenkins--well there, a fellow would want to be excused from speaking tohim. And yet"--down fell Tom's head shamefacedly--"I let him show me howhe was going to play a dastardly trick on Joe, the very day of thetennis tournament. I did, that's a fact. "

No one spoke; but Tom could feel what might have been said had thethoughts all been expressed, and he burst out desperately, "I let thatcad take Joe's racket. "

A general rustle, as if some speech were coming, made him forestall itby plunging on, "His beautiful racket he'd been practising with for thistournament; and I not only didn't knock the scoundrel down, but I helpedthe thing along. I wouldn't have supposed I could do it. Joe was to playwith Ricketson against Green and me; and two minutes after it was done, I'd have given everything to have had it back on Joe's table. But theboys were pouring up, and it was hidden. "

Tom could get no further, but hung his head for the reaction sure to setin against him by all this household that had welcomed and entertainedhim so handsomely. 

"Has he got through? has the beggar finished?" cried Joel lustily. 

"Yes, " said Polly, in a low voice, "I think he has, Joel. "

"Then I want to say"--Joel threw himself over by Tom, his arms aroundhim--"that he's the biggest fraud to spring such a trap on me, and planto get off that yarn here. "

"I didn't intend to when I came, " said Tom, thinking it necessary totell the whole truth. "I hadn't the courage. "

"Pity you had now!" retorted Joel. "Oh, you beggar!" He laid his roundcheek against Tom's. "Mamsie, Grandpapa, Polly, " his black eyes sweepingthe circle, "if I were to tell you all that this chap has done forme, --why, he took me to the place where Jenk hid the racket. "

"Pshaw! that was nothing, " said Tom curtly. 

"Nothing? Well, I got it in time for the tournament. You saw to that. And when Jenk and I were having it out in the pine grove that night, Tomthought he better tell Dave; though I can't say I thank you for that, "brought up Joel regretfully, "for I was getting the best of Jenk. "

Old Mr. King had held himself well in check up to this point. "How didyou know, Tom, my boy, that Joel and er--this--"

"Jenk, " furnished Joel. 

"Yes--er--Jenk, were going to settle it that night?"

"Why, you see, sir, " Tom, in memory of the excitement and pride overJoel's prowess, so far recovered himself as to turn to answer, "Joelcouldn't very well finish it there, for the dormitory got too hot forthat sort of thing; although it would have been rare good sport for allthe fellows to have seen Jenk flat, for he was always beating otherchaps--I mean little ones, not half his size. "

"Oh dear me!" breathed Polly indignantly. 

"Yes; well, Joe promised Jenk he would finish it some other time; andJenk dared him, and taunted him after the tournament. He was wild withrage because Joel won; and he lost his head, or he would have let Joealone. "

"I see, " exclaimed Grandpapa, his eyes shining. "Well, and so you sat upand watched the affair. "

"I couldn't go to bed, you know, " said Tom simply. 

"And he would have saved us, Dave and me, if that Jenk hadn't locked thedoor on us when he slipped in. "

"Cad!" exclaimed Tom, between his teeth. "He ought to have been expelledfor that. And then Joe shinned up the conductor--and you know the rest. "

Mother Fisher shivered, and leaned over involuntarily toward her boy. 

"Mamsie, " exclaimed Joel, "you don't know what Tom is to me, in thatschool. He's just royal--that's what he is!" with a resounding slap onhis back. 

"And I say so too, " declared Mother Fisher, with shining eyes. 

"_What_?" roared Tom, whirling around so suddenly that Van this time gotout of the way only by rolling entirely off from the rug. "Mrs. Fisher--you _can't_, after I've told you this, although I'm no-end sorryabout the racket. I didn't want to tell, --fought against it, but I hadto. "

"I stand by what I've said, Tom, " said Mrs. Fisher, putting out herhand, when Tom immediately laid his big brown one within it. At this, Joel howled with delight, which he was unable to express enough to meethis wishes; so he plunged off to the middle of the library floor, andturned a brace of somersaults, coming up red and shining. 

"I feel better now, " he said; "that's the way I used to do in the littlebrown house when I liked things. "

XIX THE GRAND ENTERTAINMENT

"Ought we to, Mamsie?" asked Polly. Jasper and she were in Mrs. Fisher'sroom, and they both waited for the reply anxiously. 

"Yes, Polly, I think you ought, " said Mother Fisher. 

"Oh dear me! Phronsie can't have only a little bit of it, " said Polly. 

"I know it. But think, Polly, the boys have to go back to school so soonthat even if other people didn't care if it were postponed, they wouldlose it. Besides, Tom is to be one of the chief people on the program. No, no, Polly, there are others to think of outside of ourselves. Youmust have your entertainment just as it is planned, " Mrs. Fisher broughtup very decidedly. 

"Well, " sighed Polly, "I am glad that Papa Fisher says that Phronsie canhear a little part of it, anyway. "

"Yes, " said her mother cheerfully, "and Helen Fargo is to sit next toher. Mrs. Fargo is to take her home early, as she has not been verywell. So you see, Polly, it will all turn out very good after all. "

"But I did so want Phronsie to be there through the whole, " mournedPolly. 

"So did I, " echoed Jasper. Then he caught Mother Fisher's eye. "But, Polly, the boys would lose it then, " he added quickly. 

"Oh!" cried Polly, "so they would; I keep forgetting that. Dear me! whyisn't everything just right, so that they all could hear it?" And shegave a little flounce. 

"Everything is just right, Polly, " said Mrs. Fisher gravely; "don't letme hear you complain of things that no one can help. "

"I didn't mean to complain, Mamsie, " said Polly humbly; and she crept upto her, while Jasper looked very much distressed. 

"Mother knows you didn't, " said Mrs. Fisher, putting her arm around her, "but it's a bad habit, Polly, to be impatient when things don't gorightly. Now run away, both of you, " she finished brightly, "and work upyour program, " and she set a kiss on Polly's rosy cheek. 

"Jasper, " cried Polly, with happiness once more in her heart as theyraced off, "I tell you what we can do. We must change the program, andput those things that Phronsie likes, up first. "

"That's so, " cried Jasper, well pleased. "Now, what will they be, Polly?"

"Why, Mr. Dyce's story of the dog, " said Polly, "for one thing; Phronsiethinks that's perfectly lovely, and always asks him for it when he tellsher stories. "

"All right, " said Jasper. "What next?"

"Why, Tom must sing one of his funny songs. "

"Yes, of course. That will please her ever so much, " cried Jasper. "Don't you know how she claps her hands when he's rehearsing, Polly?"

"Yes; oh, I wouldn't have her miss that for anything, Jasper, " saidPolly. 

"No, indeed, " cried Jasper heartily. "Well, Polly, then what ought tocome next? Let's come into the den and fix it up now. "

So they ran into the den; and Jasper got out the long program all readyto be pinned up beside the improvised stage, on the evening of the greatevent, and spread it on the table, Polly meanwhile clearing off thebooks. 

"Let's see. " He wrinkled up his brow, running his finger down the wholelength. "Now, when I make the new program, Mr. Dyce goes first. "

Polly stood quite still at that. "Oh, Jasper, we can't do it--no, neverin all this world. "

"Why, Polly, "--he turned suddenly--"yes, we can just as easily. See, Polly. "

"We can't spoil that lovely program that took you so long to make, foranything, " said Polly, in a decisive fashion. "Phronsie wouldn't wantit, " she added. 

"Phronsie isn't to know anything about it, " said Jasper, just asdecidedly. 

"Well, but Jasper, you can't make another; you haven't the time, " saidPolly in great distress, and wishing she hadn't said anything about thechanges. "I didn't think there would have to be a new program made. "

"Oh, Polly, I think we'd better have a new one, " said Jasper, who wasvery particular about everything. 

"I thought we were going to have changes announced from the stage, " saidPolly. "Oh, why can't we, Jasper? I'm sure they do that very often. "

"Well, that's when the changes come at the last moment, " said Jasperreluctantly. 

"Well, I'm sure this is the last moment, " said Polly. "The entertainmentis to-morrow night, and we've ever so much to do yet. _Please_, Jasper. "That "please, Jasper, " won the day. 

"All right, Polly, " he said. "Well, now let's see what ought to comeafter Tom's song. "

"Well, Phronsie is very anxious to hear Pickering's piece; I know, because I heard her tell Mamsie so. "

"Why, she has heard Pick recite that ever so many times since he learnedit for our school exhibition, " said Jasper. 

"And don't you know that's just the very reason why she wants it again?"said Polly, with a little laugh. 

"Yes, of course, " said Jasper, laughing too. "Well, she must have itthen. So down goes Pick. " He ran to the table drawer and drew out a bigsheet of paper. "First, Mr. Dyce, then Tom Beresford, then PickeringDodge, " writing fast. 

"And then, " said Polly, running up to look over his shoulder, "Phronsiewants dreadfully to hear Tom play on his banjo. "

"Oh, Polly, "--Jasper threw back his head to look at her--"I don'tbelieve there'll be time for all that; you know the music by Miss Taylorcomes first as an overture. We can't change that. "

"Why, " exclaimed Polly in dismay, "we must, Jasper, get Tom's banjo in;and there's Percy's piece. Phronsie wouldn't miss that for _anything_. "

"Why, we shall have the whole program in if we keep on, " said Jasper, looking at her in dismay. 

"Oh, Jasper, Papa Fisher says that Phronsie may stay in twenty minutes. Just think; we can do a lot in twenty minutes. "

"But somebody is bound to be late, so we can't begin on time. Nobodyever does, Polly. "

"We must, " said Polly passionately, "begin on time to-morrow night, Jasper. "

"We'll try, " said Jasper, as cheerfully as he could manage. 

"And there's your piece. Why, Jasper, Phronsie told me herself that she_must_ hear yours. "

"Well, and so she told me that she'd rather hear you play your piece, "said Jasper; "but you and I, Polly, as long as we change the program, can't come in among the first. "

"No, of course not, " said Polly. "But, oh, Jasper, " and she gave a sigh, "it's too bad that you can't recite yours, for it is most beautiful!"Polly clasped her hands and sighed again. 

"Well, that's not to be thought of, " said Jasper. "Now I tell you howwe'll fix it, Polly, " he said quickly. 

"How?" asked Polly gloomily. 

"Why, we have twenty minutes that Phronsie can stay in. Now, let's markoff all those things that she wants, except yours and mine, even if theycome beyond the time; and then we'll draw just those that will get intothe twenty minutes. "

"Oh, Jasper, what a fine idea!" exclaimed Polly, all her enthusiasmreturning. 

"Well, mark off half of 'em, and I'll write the others, " said Jasper, tearing off strips from his big sheet of paper. So Polly and he fell towork; and presently "Pick, " and "Tom" ("that's for the song, " saidPolly), and "Banjo, " and "Mr. Dyce, " and "Percy, " went down on thelittle strips. 

"Oh, and I forgot, " said Polly, raising her head from her last strip, "Phronsie wanted to hear Clare very much indeed. "

[Illustration: "OH, I DO HOPE I SHALL DRAW THE RIGHT ONE, JASPER. "]

"Well, we should have had the whole program with a vengeance, " saidJasper, bursting into a laugh. "Well, put him down, Polly. "

So "Clare" went down on another strip, and then they were all jumbled upin a little Chinese bowl on the bookcase. 

"Now, you draw first, Polly, " said Jasper. 

"Oh, no, let us choose for first draw, " said Polly; "that's the way tobe absolutely right. "

So she ran back to the table and tore off two more strips, one short andthe other long, and fixed them in between her hands. 

"You didn't see?" she asked over her shoulder. 

"Not a wink, " said Jasper, laughing. 

So Polly ran back, and Jasper drew the short one. "There; you have it, Polly!" he cried gleefully. "Oh, that's good!"

"Oh, I do hope I shall draw the right one, Jasper, " she said, standingon tiptoe, her fingers trembling over the bowl. 

"They are all of them good, " said Jasper encouragingly. So Pollysuddenly picked out one; and together they read, "Tom. "

"Fine!" they shouted. 

"Oh, isn't that perfectly splendid?" cried Polly, "because, you see, Phronsie did so very much wish to hear Tom sing, " just as if she hadn'tmentioned that fact before. "Now, Jasper. "

"I'm in much the same predicament as you were, " said Jasper, pausing, his hand over the bowl. "If I shouldn't choose the right one, Polly!"

"They are all of them good, " said Polly, laughing at his face. 

"Oh, I know, but it is a fearful responsibility, " said Jasper, wrinklinghis brows worse yet. "Well, here goes!"

He plunged his fingers in, and out they came with the strip, "Percy. "

"Now, Jasper, you couldn't possibly have chosen better, " declared Polly, hopping up and down, "for Phronsie did so want to hear Percy speak. Andit will please Percy so. Oh, I'm so glad!"

"Well, I'm thankful I haven't to draw again, " declared Jasper, "for wecan't have but three pieces beside the overture, you know. So it's yourturn now, Polly. "

"Oh dear me!" exclaimed Polly, the color dying down in her cheek, "if Ishouldn't draw the right one, Jasper King; and it's the last chance. "

She stood so long with her hand poised over the Chinese bowl, thatJasper finally laughed out. "Oh, Polly, aren't your tiptoes tired?"

"Not half so tired as I am, " said Polly grimly. "Jasper, I'm going torun across the room, and then run back and draw suddenly withoutstopping to think. "

"Do, " cried Jasper. 

So Polly ran into the further corner, and came flying up, to get on hertiptoes, thrust in her fingers, and bring out the third and last strip. 

"The deed is done!" exclaimed Jasper. "Now, Polly, let's see who it is. "

"Pick!" he shouted. 

And "Pickering!" screamed Polly. And they took hold of hands and spunround and round the den. 

"Oh, dear, we're knocking off your beautiful program, " cried Polly, pausing in dismay. 

"It hasn't hurt it any--our mad whirl hasn't, " said Jasper, picking upthe long program where it had slipped off the table to the floor. "Polly, you can't think how I wanted Pick to be chosen. It will do himso much good. "

"And only think, if I hadn't chosen him out of that bowl!" cried Polly, in dismay at the very thought. 

"Well, you did, Polly, so it's all right, " said Jasper. "Now everythingis fixed, and it's going to be the finest affair that ever was, " headded enthusiastically; "and the best of it is--I can't help it, Polly--that Mrs. Chatterton isn't to come back till next week, " hebrought up in great satisfaction. 

Mrs. Chatterton had gone to New York for some weeks, but was to returnto finish her visit at "Cousin Horatio's. "

"And I am so glad too, " confessed Polly, but feeling as if she oughtn'tto say it. "And isn't everything just beautiful, Jasper!"

"I should think it was!" cried Jasper jubilantly. "Just as perfect ascan be, Polly. "

And the next afternoon, when the last preparations for the grandentertainment were made, and everybody was rushing off to dress fordinner, a carriage drove up the winding driveway. There were big trunkson the rack, and two people inside. 

Joel, racing along the hall with Tom at his heels, took one look. "Oh, whickets!" he ejaculated, stopping short, to bring his feet down with athud. 

"What's the row?" asked Tom, plunging up to him in amazement. 

"That person. " Joel pointed a finger at the carriage. "I must tellPolly, " and off he darted. 

Tom, not feeling at all sure that he ought to wait to see "that person, "wheeled about and followed. 

"Polly, " roared Joel, long before he got to her. "She's come!"

"Has she?" Polly called back, supposing he meant Alexia. "Well, tell herto come up here, Joe, in my room. "

Joel took the stairs two at a time, Tom waiting below, and dashed intothe blue and white room without ceremony. 

"Polly, you don't understand, " he blurted out; "she's come!"

Polly had her head bent over a drawer, picking out some ribbons. At thesound of Joel's voice she drew it out and looked at him. 

"Why, how funny you look, Joe!" she said. "What is the matter?"

"I guess you'd look funny, " said Joel glumly, "if you'd seen Mrs. Chatterton. "

"_Not Mrs. Chatterton!_" exclaimed Polly aghast; and jumping up, herface very pale, and upsetting her box of ribbons, she seized Joel'sarm. 

"Tell me this very minute, Joel Pepper, " she commanded, "what do youmean?"

"Mrs. Chatterton has just come. I saw her coming up the drive. There'sJohnson now letting her in. " Joel had it all out now in a burst, readyto cry at sight of Polly's face, as the bustle in the hall below and thethin, high voice proclaimed the worst. 

"Oh, Joel, Joel!" mourned Polly, releasing his arm to wring her hands. "What _shall_ we do?"

"She's an old harpy, " declared Joel; "mean, horrid, old thing!"

"Oh, stop, Joel!" cried Polly, quite horrified. 

"Well, she is, " said Joel vindictively, "to come before we'd got back toschool. "

"Well, don't say so, " begged Polly, having hard work to keep back herown words, crowding for utterance. "Mamsie wouldn't like it, Joey. "

Joel, with this thought on his mind, only grumbled out something sofaintly that really Polly couldn't hear as she ran out into the hall. 

"Oh, Jasper!"

"Polly, did you know? What _can_ we do?" It was impossible for him toconceal his vexation. And Polly lost sight of her own discomfiture, inthe attempt to comfort him. 

"And father--it will just make him as miserable as can be, " said Jaspergloomily. "And he was so happy over the beautiful time we were going tohave this evening. " He was so vexed he could do nothing but prance upand down the hall. 

"Well, we must make him forget that she is here, " said Polly, swallowingher own distress at the change of all the conditions. 

"How can we, Polly?" Jasper stopped for a minute and stared at her. 

"I mean, " said Polly, feeling that it was a very hopeless case afterall, "that we mustn't show that we mind it, her coming back, and mustact as if we forgot it; and then that will keep him happy perhaps. "

"If you only will, Polly, " cried Jasper, seizing both of her hands, "itwill be the best piece of work you ever did. "

"Oh, I can't do it alone, " exclaimed Polly, in consternation. "Never inall this world, Jasper, unless you help too. "

"Then we'll both try our very best, " said Jasper. "I'm sure I ought to;'twould be mean enough to expect you to go at such a task alone. "

"Oh, you couldn't be mean, Jasper, " declared Polly, in horror at thevery thought. 

"Well, I should be if I left you to tackle this by yourself, " saidJasper, with a grim little laugh. "So Polly, there's my hand on it. I'llhelp you. "

And Polly ran back to pick up her ribbons and dress for dinner, feelingsomehow very happy after all, that there was something she could do fordear Grandpapa to help him bear this great calamity. 

Tom Beresford, meanwhile, withdrew from the great hall when Johnsonushered in the tall, stately woman and her French maid, and took shelterin the library. And Mrs. Whitney, coming over the stairs, saying, "Well, Cousin Eunice, did you have a pleasant journey?" in the gentle voice Tomso loved, gave him the first inkling of the relationship. But hewrinkled his brows at Joel's exclamation, and his queer way of rushingoff. 

"You know journeys always tire me, Marian. So that your question isquite useless. I will sit in the library a moment to recover myself. Hortense, go up and prepare my room, " and she sailed into the apartment, her heavy silk gown swishing close to Tom's chair. 

"Who is that boy?" she demanded sharply. Then she put up her lorgnette, and examined him closely as if of a new and probably dangerous species. 

Tom slipped off from his chair and stiffened up. 

"It's one of Joel's friends, " said Mrs. Whitney, slipping her handwithin the tall boy's arm. "The boys are at home from school for aweek. "

"Joel's friends, " repeated Mrs. Chatterton, paying scant attention tothe rest of the information. Then she gave a scornful cackle. "Haven'tyou gotten over that nonsense yet, Marian?" she asked. 

"No; and I trust I never shall, " replied Mrs. Whitney with a happysmile. "Now, Cousin Eunice, as you wish to rest, we will go, " and shedrew Tom off. 

"My boy, " she said, releasing him in the hall, to give a bright glanceup at the stormy, astonished face above her, "I know you and Joel willget dressed as rapidly as possible for dinner, for my father will notwant to be annoyed by a lack of promptness to-night. " She did not say, "because he will have annoyance enough, " but Tom guessed it all. 

"I will, Mrs. Whitney, " he promised heartily. And, thinking he would goto the ends of the earth for her, to be smiled on like that, he plungedoff over the stairs. 

"I've seen the old cat, " he cried in smothered wrath to Joel, rushinginto his room. 

Joel sat disconsolately on the edge of his bed, kicking off his heavyshoes, to replace with his evening ones. 

"Have you?" said Joel grimly. "Well, isn't she a--" then he rememberedMamsie, and snapped his lips to. 

"'A, '" exclaimed Tom, in smothered wrath, as he closed the door. "Sheisn't 'a' at all, Joe. She's 'the. '"

"Well, do be still, " cried Joel, putting on his best shoes nervously, "or you'll have me saying something. And she's visiting here; and Mamsiewouldn't like it. Don't, Tom, " he begged. 

"I won't, " said Tom, with a monstrous effort, "but--oh dear me!" Then herushed into his own room and banged about, getting his best clothes out. 

"Shut the door, " roared Joel after him, "or you'll begin to fume, and Ican't stand it, Tom; it will set me off. "

So Tom shut the door; and with all these precautions going on over thehouse, all the family in due time appeared at dinner, prepared as bestthey could be to bear the infliction of Mrs. Chatterton's return. 

And after the conclusion of the meal, why, everybody tried to forget itas much as possible, and give themselves up to the grand affair of theevening. 

And old Mr. King, who had been consumed with fear that it would have adisastrous effect on Polly and Jasper, the chief getters-up of theentertainment, came out of his fright nicely; for there they were, asbright and jolly as ever, and fully equal to any demands upon them. Sohe made up his mind that, after all, he could put up with Cousin Eunicea bit longer, and that the affair was to be an immense success and thevery finest thing possible. 

And everybody else who was present on the eventful occasion, said sotoo! And it seemed as if Mr. King's spacious drawing-room, famous forits capacity at all such times, couldn't possibly have admitted anotherperson to this entertainment for the benefit of the poor brakeman'sfamily. 

And Joel, who wasn't good at recitations, and who detested all that sortof thing, and Van, for the same reason, were both in their element asticket takers. And the little pink and yellow squares came in so thickand fast that both boys had all they could do for a while--which wassaying a good deal--to collect them. 

And everybody said that Miss Mary Taylor had never played such abeautiful overture--and she was capable of a good deal along thatline--in all her life; and Phronsie, sitting well to the front, betweenold Mr. King and Helen Fargo, forgot that she ever had a hurt arm, andthat it lay bandaged up in her lap. 

And little Dick, when he could lose sight of the fact that he wasn'tnext to Phronsie instead of Helen Fargo, snuggled up contentedly againstMother Fisher, and applauded everything straight through. 

And old Mr. King protested that he was perfectly satisfied with thewhole thing, which was saying the most that could be expressed for thequality of the entertainment; and he took particular pains to applaudTom Beresford, who looked very handsome, and acquitted himself well. 

"I must, " said Tom to himself, although quaking inwardly, "for they'veall been so good to me--and for Joel's sake!" So he sang at his verybest. And he played his banjo merrily, and he was encored and encored;and Joel was as proud as could be, which did Tom good to see. 

And Percy--well, the tears of joy came into his mother's eyes, for itwasn't easy for him to learn pieces, nor in fact to apply himself tostudy at all. But no one would have suspected it to see him now on thatstage. And Grandpapa King was so overjoyed that he called"Bravo--bravo!" ever so many times, which carried Percy on triumphantlyover the difficult spots where he had been afraid he should slip. 

"If only his father could hear him!" sighed Mrs. Whitney in the midst ofher joy, longing as she always did for the time when the father couldfinish those trips over the sea, for his business house. 

Polly had made Jasper consent, which he did reluctantly, to give hisrecitation before she played; insisting that music was really better fora finale. And she listened with such delight to the applause that hereceived--for ever so many of the audience said it was the gem of thewhole--that she quite forgot to be nervous about her own performance;and she played her nocturne with such a happy heart, thinking over thelovely evening, and how the money would be, oh, such a heap to take downon the morrow to the poor brakeman's home, that Jasper was turning thelast page of her music--and the entertainment was at an end!

Polly hopped off from the music stool. There was a great clapping allover the room, and Grandpapa called out, "Yes, child, play again, " sothere was nothing for Polly to do but to hop back again and give themanother selection. And then they clapped harder yet; but Polly shook herbrown head, and rushed off the stage. 

And then, of course, Grandpapa gave them, as he always did, a fine partyto wind up the evening with. And the camp chairs were folded up andcarried off, and a company of musicians came into the alcove in thespacious hall, and all through the beautiful, large apartments festivityreigned!

"Look at the old cat, " said Tom in a smothered aside to Joel, his nextneighbor in the "Sir Roger de Coverley. " "Isn't she a sight!"

"I don't want to, " said Joel, with a grimace, "and it's awfully mean inyou, Tom, to ask me. "

"I know it, " said Tom penitently, "but I can't keep my eyes off fromher. How your grandfather can stand it, Pepper, I don't see. "

And a good many other people were asking themselves the same question, Madam Dyce among the number, to whom Mrs. Chatterton was just remarking, "Cousin Horatio is certainly not the same man. "

"No, " replied Madam Dyce distinctly, "he is infinitely improved; soapproachable now. "

"You mistake me, " Mrs. Chatterton said angrily, "I mean there is thegreatest change come over him; it's lamentable, and all brought about byhis inexplicable infatuation over those low-born Pepper children andtheir designing mother. "

"Mrs. Chatterton, " said Madam Dyce--she could be quite as stately as Mr. King's cousin, and as she felt in secure possession of the right in thecase, she was vastly more impressive--"I am not here to go over thisquestion, nor shall I discuss it anywhere with you. You know my mindabout it. I only wish I had the Peppers--yes, every single one of them, "warmed up the old lady, --"in my house, and that fine woman, theirmother, along with them. "

XX THE CORCORAN FAMILY

And on the morrow--oh, what a heap of money there was for the poorbrakeman's family!--four hundred and twelve dollars. For a good manypeople had fairly insisted on paying twice the amount for their tickets;and a good many more had paid when they couldn't take tickets at all, going out of town, or for some other good reason. 

And one old lady, a great friend of the family, sent for Polly Pepperthe week before. And when Polly appeared before the big lounge, --forMrs. Sterling was lifted from her bed to lie under the sofa-blankets allday, --she said, "Now, my dear, I want to take some tickets for thataffair of yours. Gibbons, get my check-book. "

So Gibbons, the maid, brought the check-book, and drew up the littlestand with the writing-case upon it close to the lounge, and Mrs. Sterling did a bit of writing; and presently she held out a long greenslip of paper. 

"Oh!" cried Polly, in huge delight, "I've never had one for my very ownself before. " There it was, "Polly Pepper, " running clear across itsface. And "Oh!" with wide eyes, when she saw the amount, "twenty-fivedollars!"

"Haven't you so?" said Mrs. Sterling, greatly pleased to be the first inone of Polly's pleasures. 

"Oh!" cried Polly again, "twenty-five dollars!" And she threw herselfdown before the lounge, and dropped a kiss upon the hand that had madeall this happiness for the brakeman's poor children. 

"Well now, Polly, tell me all about it, " said Mrs. Sterling, with a glowat her heart warm enough to brighten many a long invalid day. "Gibbons, get a cricket for Miss Mary. "

"Oh, may I sit here?" begged Polly eagerly, as Gibbons, placing thelittle writing-case back into position, now approached with the cricket;"it's so cosey on the floor. "

"Why, yes, if you don't wish the cricket, " said Mrs. Sterling with alittle laugh, "and I remember when I was your age it was my greatestdelight to sit on the floor. "

"It is mine, " said Polly, snuggling up to the sofa-blankets. 

Mrs. Sterling put out her thin hand, and took Polly's rosy palm. "Nowbegin, dear, " she said, with an air of content, and looking down intothe bright face. 

So Polly, realizing that here perhaps was need for help, quite as muchas in the poor brakeman's home, though in a different way, told thewhole story, how the two clubs, the Salisbury School Club and the boys'club, had joined together to help Jim Corcoran's children; how they hadhad a big meeting at Jasper's house, and promised each other to takehold faithfully and work for that object. 

"We were going to have a little play, " observed Polly, a bitsorrowfully, "but it was thought best not, so it will be recitations andmusic. "

"Those will be very nice, I am quite sure, Polly, " said Mrs. Sterling;"how I should love to hear some of them!" It was her turn to look sadnow. 

"Why--" Polly sat up quite straight now, and her cheeks turned rosy. 

"What is it, my child?" asked Mrs. Sterling. 

"Would you--I mean, do you want--oh, Mrs. Sterling, would you like us tocome here some time to recite something to you?"

Mrs. Sterling turned an eager face on her pillow. 

"Are you sure, Polly, " a light coming into her tired eyes, "that youyoung people would be willing to come to entertain a dull, sick, oldwoman?"

"Oh, I am sure they would, " cried Polly, "if you would like it, dearMrs. Sterling. "

"_Like it!_" Mrs. Sterling turned her thin face to the wall for amoment. When she looked again at Polly, there were tears trickling downthe wasted cheeks. "Polly, you don't know, " she said brokenly, "how Ijust long to hear young voices here in this dreary old house. To liehere day after day, child--"

"Oh!" cried Polly suddenly, "it must be so very dreadful, Mrs. Sterling. "

"Well, don't let us speak of that, " said Mrs. Sterling, breaking offquickly her train of thought, "for the worst isn't the pain and theweakness, Polly. It's the loneliness, child. "

"Oh!" said Polly. Then it all rushed over her how she might have run inbefore, and taken the other girls if she had only known. "But we willcome now, dear Mrs. Sterling, " she said aloud. 

"Do, " cried Mrs. Sterling, and a faint color began to show itself on herthin face, "but not unless you are quite sure that the young people willlike it, Polly. "

"Yes, I am sure, " said Polly, with a decided nod of her brown head. 

"Then why couldn't you hold some of your rehearsals here?" proposed Mrs. Sterling. 

"Shouldn't we tire you?" asked Polly. 

"No, indeed!" declared Mrs. Sterling, with sudden energy, "I could beara menagerie up here, Polly, " and she laughed outright. 

Gibbons, at this unwonted sound, popped her head in from the adjoiningroom where she was busy with her sewing, to gaze in astonishment at hermistress. 

"I am not surprised at your face, Gibbons, " said Mrs. Sterling cheerily, "for you have not heard me laugh for many a day. "

"No, madam, I haven't, " said Gibbons, "but I can't help saying I'mrejoiced to hear it now, " with a glance of approval on Polly Pepper. 

"So, Polly, you see there is no danger of your bringing me any fatigue, and I should be only too happy to see you at your next rehearsal. "

"We can come, I am almost sure, " said Polly, "those of us who want torehearse at all. Some of us, you see, are quite sure of our pieces:Pickering Dodge is, for one; he spoke at his last school exhibition. ButI'll tell the others. Oh, thank you for asking us, Mrs. Sterling. "

"Thank you for giving your time, dear, to a dull old woman, " said Mrs. Sterling. "Oh, must you go?" She clung to her hand. "I suppose youought, child. "

"Yes, " said Polly, "I really ought to go, Mrs. Sterling. And you are notdull, one single bit, and I like you very much, " she added as simply asPhronsie would have said it. 

"Kiss me good-bye, Polly, " said Mrs. Sterling. So Polly laid her freshyoung cheek against the poor, tired, wasted one; hopped into her jacket, and was off on happy feet. 

And the others said "Yes, " when they saw Polly's enthusiasm over theplan of holding a rehearsal at Mrs. Sterling's; and Jasper proposed, "Why couldn't we repeat the whole thing after our grand performance, forher sometime?" and, before any one could quite tell how, a warm sympathyhad been set in motion for the rich, lonely old lady in the big, gloomystone mansion most of them passed daily on their way to school. 

Well, the grand affair was over now, and a greater success than was everhoped for. Now came the enjoyment of presenting the money!

"Grandpapa, " said Polly, "we are all here. "

"So I perceive, " looking out on the delegation in the hall. For ofcourse all the two clubs couldn't go to the presentation, so committeeswere chosen to represent them--Polly, Clem, Alexia, and Silvia, for theSalisbury Club, and Jasper, Clare, Pickering, and Richard Burnett forthe boys' club; while old Mr. King on his own account had invited Joel, Percy and Van, and, of course, Tom Beresford. 

"My! What shall we do with such a lot of boys?" exclaimed Alexia, asthey all met in the hall. 

"You don't have to do anything at all with us, Alexia, " retorted Joel, who liked her the best of any of Polly's friends, and always showed itby sparring with her on every occasion, "only let us alone. "

"Which I shall proceed to do with the greatest pleasure, " said Alexia. "Goodness me! Joe, as if I'd be bothered with you tagging on. You'remuch worse than before you went away to school. "

"Come, you two, stop your quarrelling, " said Jasper, laughing. "A prettyexample you'd make to those poor Corcoran children. "

"Oh, we sha'n't fight there, " said Alexia sweetly; "we'll have quiteenough to do to see all that is going on. Oh, Polly, when do you supposewe can ever start?"

"Father has the bank-book, " announced Jasper; "I saw him put it in hispocket, Polly. "

Polly gave a little wriggle under her coat. "Oh, Jasper, isn't it justtoo splendid for anything!" she cried. 

"I'm going to walk with Polly, " announced Clem, seizing Polly's arm, "so, Alexia Rhys, I give you fair warning this time. "

"Indeed, you're not, " declared Alexia stoutly. "Why, I always walk withPolly Pepper. "

"And that's just the reason why I'm going to to-day, " said Clem, hangingto Polly's arm for dear life. 

"Well, I'm her dearest friend, " added Alexia, taking refuge in thatwell-worn statement, "so there now, Clem Forsythe. "

"No, you're not, " said Clem obstinately; "we're all her dearest friends, aren't we, Polly? Say, Polly, aren't we?"

"Hush!" said Jasper. "Father's coming. "

"Well, I can't help it. I'm tired of hearing Alexia Rhys everlastinglysaying that, and pushing us all away from Polly. "

"Do hear them go on!" exclaimed Tom Beresford, off on the edge of thegroup. "Does she always have them carrying around like that?"

"Yes, " said Joel, "a great deal worse. Oh, they're a lot of gigglinggirls; I hate girls!" he exploded. 

"So do I, " nodded Tom. "Let's keep clear of the whole lot, and walk byourselves. "

"Indeed, we will, " declared Joel. "You won't catch me walking with girlswhen I can help it. "

"Well, I wonder which of those two will get your sister, Polly, thistime, " said Tom, craning his long neck to see the contest. 

"Oh, Alexia, of course, " said Joel carelessly; "she always gets her inthe end. "

But Joel was wrong. Neither of the girls carried off Polly. Old Mr. Kingmarched out of his reading-room. "Come, Polly, my child, you and I willwalk together, " and he waited on her handsomely out, and down the walkto the car. 

Tom and Joel burst into a loud laugh, in which the others joined, at thecrestfallen faces. 

"Well, at least you didn't get her, Clem, " said Alexia airily, comingout of her discomfiture. 

"Neither did you, " said Clem happily. 

"And you are horrid boys to laugh, " said Alexia, looking over at thetwo. "But then, all boys are horrid. "

"Thank you, " said Tom, with his best bow. 

"Alexia Rhys, aren't you perfectly ashamed to be fighting with that newboy?" cried Clem. 

"Come on, Alexia, " said Jasper. "I shall have to walk with you to keepyou in order, " and the gay procession hurrying after old Mr. King andPolly, caught up with them turning out of the big stone gateway. 

And then, what a merry walk they had to the car! and that being nearlyfull, they had to wait for the next one, which luckily had only threepassengers; and Mr. King and his party clambered on, to ride downthrough the poor quarters of the town, to the Corcoran house. 

"Oh, misery me!" exclaimed Alexia, looking out at the tumble-downtenements, and garbage heaps up to the very doors. "Where _are_ wegoing?"

"Did you suppose Jim Corcoran lived in a palace?" asked Pickeringlazily. 

"Well, I didn't suppose anybody lived like that, " said Alexia, wrinklingup her nose in scorn. "Dear me, look at all those children!"

"Interesting, aren't they?" said Pickering, with a pang for the swarm ofragged, dirty little creatures, but not showing it in the least on hisimpassive face. 

"Oh, I don't want to see it, " exclaimed Alexia, "and I'm not going toeither, " turning her back on it all. 

"It goes on just the same, " said Pickering. 

"Then I am going to look. " Alexia whirled around again, and gazed up anddown the ugly thoroughfare, taking it all in. 

"Ugh, how can you!" exclaimed Silvia Horne, in disgust. "I think it'svery disagreeable to even know that such people live. "

"Perhaps 'twould be better to kill 'em off, " said Tom Beresford bluntly. 

"Ugh, you dreadful boy!" cried Clem Forsythe. 

"Who's fighting now with the new boy?" asked Alexia sweetly, tearing offher gaze from the street. 

"Well, who wouldn't?" retorted Clem, "he's saying such perfectlyterrible things. "

Pickering Dodge gave a short laugh. "Beresford, you're in for it now, "he said. 

Tom shrugged his shoulders, and turned his back on them. 

"What did you bring him home for, Joe?" asked Alexia, leaning over totwitch Joel's arm. 

"To plague you, Alexia, " said Joel, with a twinkle in his black eyes. 

"Oh, he doesn't bother me, " said Alexia serenely. "Clem is having allthe trouble now. Well, we must put up with him, I suppose, " she saidwith resignation. 

"You don't need to, " said Joel coolly, "you can let us alone, Alexia. "

"But I don't want to let you alone, " said Alexia; "that's all boys aregood for, if they're in a party, to keep 'em stirred up. Goodness me, Mr. King and Polly are getting out!" as the car stopped, and Grandpapaled the way down the aisle. 

When they arrived at the Corcoran house, which was achieved by dodgingaround groups of untidy women gossiping with their neighbors, andchildren playing on the dirty pavements, with the occasional detourcaused by a heap of old tin cans, and other débris, Mr. King drew along breath. "I don't know that I ought to have brought you young peopledown here. It didn't strike me so badly before. "

"But it's no worse for us to see it than for the people to live here, father, " said Jasper quickly. 

"That's very true--but faugh!" and the old gentleman had greatdifficulty to contain himself. "Well, thank fortune, the Corcoran familyare to move this week. "

"Oh, Grandpapa, " cried Polly, hopping up and down on the brokenpavement, and "Oh, father!" from Jasper. 

"Polly Pepper, " exclaimed Alexia, twitching her away, "you came nearstepping into that old mess of bones and things. "

Polly didn't even glance at the garbage heap by the edge of thesidewalk, nor give it a thought. "Oh, how lovely, Alexia, " she cried, "that they won't have but a day or two more here!"

"Well, we are going in, " said Alexia, holding her tightly, "and I'm gladof it, Polly. Oh, misery me!" as they followed Mr. King into the poorlittle house that Jim the brakeman had called home. 

The little widow, thanks to Mr. King and several others interested inthe welfare of the brakeman's family, had smartened up considerably, sothat neither she nor her dwelling presented such a dingy, woe-begoneaspect as on the previous visit. And old Mr. King, being very glad tosee this, still further heartened her up by exclaiming, "Well, Mrs. Corcoran, you've accomplished wonders. "

"I've tried to, " cried the poor woman, "and I'm sure 'twas no more thanI ought to do, and you being so kind to me and mine, sir. "

"Well, I've brought some young people to see you, " said the oldgentleman abruptly, who never could bear to be thanked, and now feltmuch worse, as there were several spectators of his bounty; and he wavedhis hand toward the representatives of the two clubs. 

They all huddled back, but he made them come forward. "No, it's youraffair to-day; I only piloted you down here, " laughing at theirdiscomfiture. 

Meanwhile the whole Corcoran brood had all gathered about the visitors, to rivet their gaze upon them, and wait patiently for furtherdevelopments. 

"Polly, you tell her, " cried Alexia. 

"Yes, Polly, do, " cried the other girls. 

"Yes, Polly, " said Pickering, "you can tell it the best. "

"Oh, I never could, " said Polly in dismay. "Jasper, you, please. "

"No, no, Polly, " said Van; "she's the best. "

"But Polly doesn't wish to, " said Jasper in a low voice. 

"All right, then, Jappy, go ahead, " said Percy. 

There was a little pause, Mrs. Corcoran filling it up by saying, "Ican't ask you to sit down, for there ain't chairs enough, " beginning towipe off one with her apron. "Here, sir, if you'd please to sit, " takingit over to Mr. King. 

"Thank you, " said the old gentleman, accepting it with his best air. "Now then, Jasper"--he had handed a small parcel to him under cover ofthe chair-wiping--"go ahead, my boy. "

So Jasper, seeing that there was no help for it, but that he was reallyto be the spokesman, plunged in quite bravely. 

"Mrs. Corcoran, some of us girls and boys--we belong to two clubs, youknow, "--waving his hand over to the representatives--"wanted to showyour boys and girls, that we were grateful to their father for being sogood and kind to the passengers that night of the accident. "

Here the little widow put the corner of her apron up to her eye, soJasper hurried on: "And we wanted to help them to get an education. Andso we had a little entertainment, and sold the tickets and here is ourgift!" Jasper ended desperately, thrusting the package out. 

"Take it, Arethusa, " was all Mrs. Corcoran could say; "and may the Lordbless you all!" Then she put the apron over her head and sobbed aloud. 

"Bless me!" exclaimed old Mr. King, fumbling for his handkerchief, "don't, my good woman, I beg of you. "

"And, oh, I do hope you'll learn to play on the piano, " breathed Polly, as Arethusa took the package from Jasper, and slid back to lay it in hermother's hand. 

"Oh me! I'm going to cry, " exclaimed Alexia, backing off toward thedoor. 

"If you do, I'll throw you out, " said Joel savagely. 

"Well, I shall; I feel so sniffly and queer. Oh, Joel, what shall I do?I shall be disgraced for life if I cry here. "

"Hang on to me, " said Joel stoutly, thrusting out his sturdy arm. 

So Alexia hung on to it, and managed to get along very well. And one ofthe children, the littlest one next to the baby, created a diversion bybringing up a mangy cat, and laying it on Mr. King's knees. This savedthe situation as far as crying went, and brought safely away those whowere perilously near the brink of tears. 

"Oh dear me!" exclaimed Polly, starting forward, knowing how Grandpapadetested cats. But Jasper was before her. 

"Let me take it, father, " and he dexterously brought it off. 

"Give it to me, " said Polly. "Oh, what is its name?"

The little thing who seemed to own the cat toddled over, well pleased, and stuck his finger in his mouth, which was the extent to which hecould go in conversation. But the other children, finding the ice nowbroken, all came up at this point, to gather around Polly and the cat. 

"It's lucky enough that Phronsie isn't here, " said Jasper in a lowvoice, "for she would never want to leave that cat. "

[Illustration: "AND SO WE HAD A LITTLE ENTERTAINMENT, AND SOLD THETICKETS, AND HERE IS OUR GIFT!"]

"Just see Polly Pepper!" exclaimed Alexia, with a grimace. "Why doesn'tshe drop that dirty old cat?"

"Because she ought not to, " howled Joel sturdily. Then he rushed over toPolly; and although he had small love for cats in general, thisparticular one, being extremely ill-favored and lean, met with hisfavor. He stroked her poor back. 

Arethusa drew near and gazed into Polly's face; seeing which, the catwas safely transferred to Joel, and Polly turned around to the girl. 

"Oh, do you want to learn to play on the piano?" asked Pollybreathlessly, under cover of the noise going on, for all the othermembers of the two clubs now took a hand in it. Even Percy unbent enoughto interview one of the Corcoran boys. 

"Yes, I do, " said Arethusa, clasping her small red hands tightly. 

Her eyes widened, and her little thin face, which wasn't a bit pretty, lightened up now in a way that Polly thought was perfectly beautiful. 

"Well, I did, when I was a little girl like you"--Polly bent her rosyface very close to Arethusa's--"oh, _dreadfully_; and I used to drum onthe table to make believe I could play. "

"So do I, " cried Arethusa, creeping up close to Polly's neck, "an' th'boys laugh at me. But I keep doin' it. "

"And now, Arethusa, you are really going to learn to play on the piano. "Polly thrilled all over at the announcement, just as she had done whentold that she was to take music lessons. 

"Not a really and truly piano?" exclaimed Arethusa, lost in amazement. 

"Yes, a really and truly piano, " declared Polly positively. "Just think, Arethusa, you can give music lessons and help to take care of yourmother. "

And just then Grandpapa, who had been talking to Mrs. Corcoran, wassaying, "Well, well, it's time to be going, young people. " And Joel putthe cat down, that immediately ran between his legs, tripping him up ashe turned, thereby making everybody laugh; and so the exit was mademerrily. 

"Wasn't that fun!" cried Alexia, dancing off down the broken pavement. "Oh, I forgot, I'm going to walk home with Polly, " and she flew back. 

"You take yourself away, " cried old Mr. King, with a laugh. "I'm to havePolly to myself on this expedition. "

"Well, at any rate, Clem, you haven't Polly, " announced Alexia asbefore, running up to her. 

"Neither have you, " retorted Clem, in the same way. 

"So we will walk together, " said Alexia, coolly possessing herself ofClem's arm. "Those two boys can walk with each other; they're just dyingto. "

"How do you know I want to walk with you?" asked Clem abruptly. 

"Oh, but do, you sweet thing you! Come on!" and Alexia dragged her offat a smart pace. 

"Grandpapa, " cried Polly, hopping up and down by his side, too happy tokeep still, while she clung to his hand just as Phronsie would havedone, "you are going to have the piano put into the house the very firstthing after it is cleaned and ready--the _very_ first thing?" She peeredaround into his face anxiously. 

"The _very_ first thing, " declared the old gentleman. "Take my word forit, Polly Pepper, there sha'n't another article get in before it. "

"Oh, Grandpapa!" Polly wished she could go dancing off into the middleof the thoroughfare for a regular spin. 

"Take care, Polly, " laughed old Mr. King, successfully steering herclear of an ash barrel, "this isn't the best dancing place imaginable. "

"Oh, I beg your pardon, Grandpapa, " said Polly, trying to sober down, "Ididn't mean to; but oh, isn't it perfectly beautiful that Arethusa isgoing to take music lessons!"

"It is, indeed, " said Grandpapa, with a keen glance down at her flushedface. "And it really does seem to be an assured fact, for Miss Brown isengaged to begin as soon as the family move into their new home. "

"Oh--oh!" Polly could get no further. 

Jasper, ahead with Pickering Dodge, looked back longingly. 

"Oh, I do wish, Grandpapa, " said Polly, "that Jasper could walk homewith us. "

"So do I, Polly, " said the old gentleman; "but you see he can't, forthen I should have the whole bunch of those chattering creatures aroundme, " and he laughed grimly. "You must tell him all about what we aretalking of, as soon as you get home. "

"Yes, I will, " declared Polly, "the very first thing. Now, Grandpapa, please go on. "

"Well, I had told Mrs. Corcoran all about the new house, you know, Polly, before. "

"Yes, I know, Grandpapa, " said Polly, with a happy little wriggle. 

"And so to-day I explained about the bank-book; told her where the moneywas deposited, and showed her how to use it. By the way, Polly, Jaspermade a good speech now, didn't he?" The old gentleman broke off, andfairly glowed with pride. 

"Oh, didn't he!" cried Polly, in a burst. "I thought it was too splendidfor anything! And he didn't know in the least that he had to do it. Hethought you were going to give the bank-book, Grandpapa. "

"I know it, " chuckled Mr. King. "Well now, Polly, I thought I'd try myboy without warning. Because, you see, that shows what stuff a person ismade of to respond at such a time, and he's all right, Jasper is; hecame up to the demand nicely. "

"It was perfectly elegant!" cried Polly, with glowing cheeks. 

"And those two boys--the largest ones--are to begin in the other publicschool next week, " continued the old gentleman. 

"Everything begins next week, doesn't it, Grandpapa?" cried Polly. 

"It seems so, " said Mr. King, with a laugh. "Well, Polly, here we are atour car. "

And having the good luck to find it nearly empty, the whole party hoppedon, and began the ride back again. 

"Now, " said Jasper, when they had reached home, "for some comfort, " andhe drew Polly off into a quiet corner in the library. "Let's have thewhole, Polly. You said you'd tell me what you and father were talking ofall the way home. "

"And so I will, " cried Polly, too elated to begin at the right end. "Well, Jasper, you must know that Arethusa's piano is actually engaged. "

"It is!" exclaimed Jasper. "Hurrah!"

"Yes, " said Polly, with shining eyes, "and it's going into the new homethe _very_ first thing. Grandpapa promised me that. "

"Isn't father good!" cried Jasper, a whole world of affection in hisdark eyes. 

"Good?" repeated Polly, "he's as good as good can be, Jasper King!"

"Well, what else?" cried Jasper. 

"And the boys--the two biggest ones--are going into the other publicschool, the one nearest their new home, you know. "

"Yes, I see, " said Jasper, "that's fine. That will bring them in withbetter boys. "

"Yes, and Grandpapa told Mrs. Corcoran all about the money we made atthe entertainment, and that he put it in the bank for her this morning. And he showed her how to use the check-book. "

"Polly, " said Jasper, very much excited, "what if we girls and boyshadn't done this for those children! Just think, Polly, only supposeit!"

"I know it, " cried Polly. "Oh, Jasper!" drawing a long breath. "Butthen, you see, we did do it. "

"Yes, " said Jasper, bursting into a laugh, "we surely did, Polly. "

XXI AT THE PLAY

"Oh, Cathie!" Polly rushed out to meet the girl that Johnson was justushering in. "I _am_ so glad you've come!"

A pleased look swept over the girl's face, but she didn't say anything. 

"Now come right upstairs; never mind the bag, Johnson will bring thatfor you. "

"I will take it up, Miss, " said Johnson, securing it. 

"Mamsie is waiting to see you, " cried Polly, as they ran over thestairs, Cathie trying to still the excited beating of her heart at thethought that she was really to visit Polly Pepper for three whole days!"Oh, Mamsie, here she is!"

"I am glad to see you, Cathie, " said Mrs. Fisher heartily, taking hercold hand. "Now, you are to have the room right next to Polly's. "

"Yes, the same one that Alexia always has when she stays here, " saidPolly. "See, Cathie, " bearing her off down the hall. "Oh, it is so goodto get you here, " she cried happily. "Well, here we are!"

"You can't think, " began Cathie brokenly; then she turned away to thewindow--"it's so good of you to ask me, Polly Pepper!"

"It's so good of you to come, " said Polly merrily, and running over toher. "There, Johnson has brought your bag. Aren't you going to unpackit, Cathie?--that is, I mean"--with a little laugh--"after you've gotyour hat and jacket off. And then, when your things are all settled, wecan go downstairs, and do whatever you like. Perhaps we'll go in thegreenhouse. "

"Oh, Polly!" exclaimed Cathie, quite forgetting herself, and turningaround. 

"And can't I help you unpack?" asked Polly, longing to do something. 

"No, " said Cathie, remembering her plain clothes and lack of the prettytrifles that girls delight in; then seeing Polly's face, she thoughtbetter of it. "Yes, you may, " she said suddenly. 

So Polly unstrapped the bag, and drew out the clothes, all packed veryneatly. "Why, Cathie Harrison!" she exclaimed suddenly. 

"What?" asked Cathie, hanging up her jacket in the closet, and puttingher head around the door. 

"Oh, what a lovely thing!" Polly held up a little carved box of Chineseworkmanship. 

"Isn't it?" cried Cathie, well pleased that she had anything worthy ofnotice. "My uncle brought that from China to my mother when she was alittle girl, and she gave it to me. "

"Well, it's too lovely for anything, " declared Polly, running to put iton the toilet table. "I do think Chinese carvings are so pretty!"

"Do you?" cried Cathie, well pleased. "My mother has some really fineones, I'll show you sometime, if you'd like to see them, Polly. "

"Indeed, I should, " said Polly warmly. So Cathie, delighted that shereally had something that could interest Polly Pepper, hurried throughher preparations; and then the two went downstairs arm in arm, and outto the greenhouse. 

"Polly Pepper!" exclaimed Cathie on the threshold, "I don't think Ishould ever envy you living in that perfectly beautiful house, becauseit just scares me to set foot in it. "

"Well, it needn't, " said Polly, with a little laugh. "You must justforget all about its being big and splendid. "

"But I can't, " said Cathie, surprised at herself for being socommunicative, "because, you see, I live in such a little, tucked-upplace. "

"Well, so did I, " said Polly, with a bob of her brown head, "before wecame here to Grandpapa's; but oh, you can't think how beautiful it wasin the little brown house--you can't begin to think, Cathie Harrison!"

"I know, " said Cathie, who had heard the story before. "I wish you'dtell it all to me now, Polly. "

"I couldn't tell it all, if I talked a year, I guess, " said Pollymerrily, "and there is Turner waiting to speak to me. Come on, Cathie. "And she ran down the long aisle between the fragrant blossoms. 

But Cathie stopped to look and exclaim so often to herself that she madeslow progress. 

"Shall I make her up a bunch, Miss Mary?" asked old Turner, touching hiscap respectfully, and looking at the visitor. 

"Oh, if you please, " cried Polly radiantly; "and do put some heliotropein, for Cathie is so fond of that. And please let her have a bunch everymorning when I have mine, Turner, for she is to stay three days. "

"It shall be as you wish, Miss Mary, " said Turner, quite delighted atthe order. 

"And please let it be very nice, Turner, " said Polly hastily. 

"I will, Miss; don't fear, Miss Mary, I'll have it as nice as possible, "as Polly ran off to meet Cathie. 

"I should stay here every single minute I was at home if I lived here, Polly Pepper, " declared Cathie. "Oh, oh!" sniffing at each discovery ofa new blossom. 

"Oh, no, you wouldn't, Cathie, " contradicted Polly, with a laugh; "notif you had to get your lessons, and practise on the piano, and go outriding and driving, and play with the boys. "

"Oh dear me!" cried Cathie, "I don't care very much for boys, because, you see, Polly, I never know what in this world to say to them. "

"That's because you never had any brothers, " said Polly, feeling howvery dreadful such a state must be. "I can't imagine anything withoutBen and Joel and Davie. "

"And now you've such a lot of brothers, with Jasper and all thoseWhitney boys; oh, Polly, don't they scare you to death sometimes?"

Polly burst into such a merry peal of laughter, that they neither ofthem heard the rushing feet, until Cathie glanced up. "Oh dear me! therethey are now!"

"Well, to be sure; we might have known you were here, Polly, " criedJasper, dashing up with Clare. "How do you do, Cathie?" putting out hishand cordially. 

Clare gave her a careless nod, then turned to Polly. "It's to be fine, "he said. 

"What?" asked Polly wonderingly. 

"Hold on, old chap. " Jasper gave him a clap on the back. "Father isgoing to tell her himself. Come on, Polly and Cathie, to his room. "

"Come, Cathie, " cried Polly. "Let's beat those boys, " she said, whenonce out of the greenhouse. "We're going to race, " she cried over hershoulder. 

"Is that so?" said Jasper. "Clare, we must beat them, " and they dashedin pursuit. 

But they couldn't; the two girls flew over the lawn, and reached thestone steps just a breathing space before Jasper and Clare plunged up. 

"Well done, " cried Jasper, tossing back the hair from his forehead. 

"I didn't know you could run so well, " observed Clare, with some showof interest in Cathie. 

"Oh, she runs splendidly, " said Polly, with sparkling eyes. "Let's try arace sometime, Jasper; we four, down the Long Path, while Cathie'shere. "

"Capital! We will, " assented Jasper, "but now for father's room. "

There sat old Mr. King by his writing table. "Well, Polly--how do youdo, Cathie? I am glad to see you, " he said, putting out his hand kindly. 

As well as she could for her terror at being actually in that statelyMr. King's presence, Cathie stumbled forward and laid her hand in his. 

"Now, Polly, " said the old gentleman, turning off to pick up a littleenvelope lying on the table, "I thought perhaps you would like to takeyour young friend to the play to-night, so I have the tickets for usfive, " with a sweep of his hand over to the two boys. 

"Grandpapa!" cried Polly, precipitating herself into his arms, "oh, howgood you are!" which pleased the old gentleman immensely. 

"Isn't that no-end fine!" cried Jasper in delight. "Father, we can'tthank you!"

"Say no more, my boy, " cried the old gentleman. "I'm thanked enough. Andso, Polly, my girl, you like it, " patting her brown hair. 

"Like it!" cried Polly, lifting her glowing cheeks, --"oh, Grandpapa!"

"Run along with you then, all of you. Clare, be over in time. "

"Yes, sir, " cried Clare. "Oh, thank you, Mr. King, ever so much!" asthey all scampered off to get their lessons for the next day; for goingto a play was always a special treat, on condition that no studies wereneglected. 

"Oh, Cathie, " cried Polly, before she flew into the window-seat to curlup with her books, her favorite place for studying her lessons, "Grandpapa is taking us to the play because you are here. "

"And I've never been to a play, Polly, " said Cathie, perfectlyoverwhelmed with it all. 

"Haven't you? Oh, I'm so glad--I mean, I'm glad you're going with us, and that Grandpapa is to take you to the first one. But, oh me!" andPolly rushed off to attack her books. "Now, don't let us speak a singleword, Cathie Harrison, " as Cathie picked out a low rocker for her choiceof a seat; and pretty soon, if Miss Salisbury herself had come into theroom, she would have been perfectly satisfied with the diligentattention the books were receiving. 

But Miss Salisbury was not thinking of her pupils this afternoon. Shewas at this moment closeted with Miss Anstice, and going over aconversation that they frequently held, these past days, without muchvariation in the subject or treatment. 

"If there were anything we could do to repay him, sister, " said MissAnstice mournfully, "I'd do it, and spend my last cent. But what isthere?" Then she paced the floor with her mincing little steps, nowquite nervous and flurried. 

"Sister, " said Miss Salisbury, doing her best to be quite calm, "itisn't a matter of payment; for whatever we did, we never could hope toreplace that exquisite little vase. Miss Clemcy had pointed out to methe fact that it was quite the gem in his collection. "

"I know; I thought my heart would stop when I heard the crash. " MissAnstice wrung her little hands together at the memory. "Oh, thatcareless Lily!"

"Sister, pray let us look at this matter--"

"I am looking at it. I see nothing but that vase, smashed to pieces; andI cannot sleep at night for fear I'll dream how it looked in those verylittle bits. "

"Sister--pray--pray--"

"And if you want me to tell you what I think should be done, I'm sure Ican't say, " added Miss Anstice helplessly. 

"Well, then, I must think, " declared Miss Salisbury, with sudden energy, "for some repayment must surely be made to him, although they utterlyrefused it when you and I called and broached the subject to them. "

"It was certainly a most unfortunate day from beginning to end, " saidMiss Anstice, with a suggestion of tears in her voice, and a shiver atthe remembrance of the front breadth of her gown. "Sister, I hope andpray that you will never have another picnic for the school. "

"I cannot abolish that annual custom, Anstice, " said Miss Salisburyfirmly, "for the girls get so much enjoyment out of it. They are alreadytalking about the one to come next year. "

"Ugh!" shuddered Miss Anstice. 

"And anything that holds an influence over them, I must sustain. Youknow that yourself, sister. And it is most important to give them somerecreations. "

"But _picnics!_" Miss Anstice held up her little hands, as if quiteunequal to any words. 

"And I am very sorry that we were out when Mr. Clemcy and his sistercalled yesterday afternoon, for I am quite sure I could have arrangedmatters so that we need not feel under obligations to them. "

Miss Anstice, having nothing to say, kept her private reflectionsmournfully to herself; and it being the hour for the boarding pupils togo out to walk, and her duty to accompany them, the conference broke up. 

"Polly, " called Mrs. Chatterton, as Polly ran past her door, her operaglasses Grandpapa had given her last Christmas in the little plush bagdangling from her arm, and a happy light in her eyes. Cathie had gonedownstairs, and it was getting nearly time to set forth for thatenchanted land--the playhouse!

Polly ran on, scarcely conscious that she was called. "Did you not hearme?" asked Mrs. Chatterton angrily, coming to her door. 

"Oh, I beg pardon, " said Polly, really glad ever since that dreadfultime when Mrs. Chatterton was ill, to do anything for her. "For I nevershall forget how naughty I was to her, " Polly said over to herself nowas she turned back. 

"You may well beg my pardon, " said Mrs. Chatterton, "for of all ill-bredgirls, you are certainly the worst. I want you. " Then she disappearedwithin her room. 

"What is it?" asked Polly, coming in. "I shall be so glad to help. "

"Help!" repeated Mrs. Chatterton in scorn. She was standing over by hertoilet table. "You can serve me; come here. "

The hot blood mounted to Polly's brow. Then she thought, "Oh, what did Isay? That I would do anything for Mrs. Chatterton if she would onlyforgive me for those dreadful words I said to her. " And she went overand stood by the toilet table. 

"Oh, you have concluded to come?" observed Mrs. Chatterton scornfully. "So much the better it would be if you could always learn what yourplace is in this house. There, you see this lace?" She shook out herflowing sleeve, glad to display her still finely moulded arm, that hadbeen one of her chief claims to distinction, even if nobody but thislittle country-bred girl saw it. 

Polly looked at the dangling lace, evidently just torn, with dismay;seeing which, Mrs. Chatterton broke out sharply, "Get the basket, girl, over there on the table, and sew it as well as you can. "

"Polly!" called Jasper over the stairs, "where are you?"

Polly trembled all over as she hurried across the room to get the sewingbasket. Grandpapa was not ready, she knew; but she always ran down alittle ahead for the fun of the last moments waiting with Jasper, whenold Mr. King was going to take them out of an evening. And in theturmoil in her mind, she didn't observe that Hortense had misplaced thebasket, putting it on the low bookcase, and was still searching all overthe table as directed, when Mrs. Chatterton's sharp voice filled herwith greater dismay. 

"_Stupid!_ if you would put heart into your search, it would be easyenough to find it. "

"_Polly_, where _are_ you!" Polly, in her haste not to displease Mrs. Chatterton by replying to Jasper before finding the basket, knocked overone of the small silver-topped bottles with which the dressing tableseemed to be full, and before she could rescue it, it fell to thefloor. 

"Go out of this room, " commanded Mrs. Chatterton, with blazing eyes. "Iought to have known better than to call upon a heavy-handed, low-borncountry girl, to do a delicate service. "

"I didn't mean--" began poor Polly. 

"Go out of this room!" Mrs. Chatterton, now thoroughly out of temper, sofar forgot herself as to stamp her foot; and Polly, feeling as if shehad lost all chance in her future encounters with Mrs. Chatterton, ofatoning for past short-comings, went sadly out, to meet, just beside thedoor, Jasper, with amazement on his face. 

"Oh, Polly, I thought you were never coming. " Then he saw her face. 

"That old--" he said under his breath. "Polly, don't ever go into herroom again. I wouldn't, " as they hurried off downstairs. 

"She won't let me, " said Polly, her head drooping, and the brightnessall gone from her face. "She won't ever let me go again, I know. "

"Won't let you? Well, I guess you'll not give her a chance, " criedJasper hotly. "Polly, I do really wish that father would tell her to goaway. "

"Oh, Jasper, " cried Polly, in alarm, "don't say one word to Grandpapa. Promise me you won't, Jasper. "

"Well, father is tired of her. She wears on him terribly, Polly, " saidJasper gloomily. 

"I know, " said Polly sadly. "And oh, Jasper, if you say one word, hewill really have her go. And I was so bad to her, you know, " and thetears came into Polly's brown eyes. 

"Well, she must have been perfectly terrible to you, " said Jasper. 

"Polly--Jasper--where are you?" came in old Mr. King's voice. 

"Here, father, " and "Here, Grandpapa, " and Clare running up the steps, the little party was soon in the carriage. 

"Promise me, Jasper, do, " implored Polly, when Grandpapa was explainingto Cathie about the great actor they were to see, and Clare waslistening to hear all about it, too. 

"Oh, I won't, " promised Jasper, "if you don't wish me to. "

"I really wouldn't have you for all the world, " declared Polly; and nowthat this fear was off from her mind, she began to pick up her old, bright spirits, so that by the time the carriage stopped at the theatre, Polly was herself again. 

Jasper watched her keenly, and drew a long breath when he saw hertalking and laughing with Grandpapa. 

"You are going to sit next to me, Polly, " said the old gentleman, marshalling his forces when well within. "And Jasper next. Then, Cathie, you will have a knight on either side. "

"Oh, I can't sit between two boys, " cried Cathie, forgetting herself inher terror. 

"I won't bite you, " cried Clare saucily. 

"I will see that Clare behaves himself, " said Jasper. 

"You'll do nicely, my dear, " said Mr. King encouragingly to her; thenproceeded down the aisle after the usher. So there was nothing to do butto obey. And Cathie, who would have found it a formidable thing to bestranded on the companionship of one boy, found herself between two, andPolly Pepper far off, and not the least able to help. 

"Now, then, " said Jasper, taking up the program, "I suppose father toldyou pretty much all that was necessary to know about Irving. Well--" Andthen, without waiting for a reply, Jasper dashed on about the splendidplays in which he had seen this wonderful actor, and the particular onethey were to enjoy to-night; and from that he drifted off to the finepoints to be admired in the big playhouse, with its strikingdecorations, making Cathie raise her eyes to take it all in, until Clareleaned over to say:

"I should think you might give Cathie and me a chance to talk a little, Jasper. "

"Oh, I don't want to talk, " cried Cathie in terror. "I don't knowanything to say. "

"Well, I do, " said Clare, in a dudgeon, "only Jasper goes on in such astreak to-night. "

"I believe I have been talking you both blue, " said Jasper, with alaugh. 

"You certainly have, " said Clare, laughing too. 

And then Cathie laughed, and Polly Pepper, looking over, beamed at her, for she had begun to be worried. 

"The best thing in the world, " said old Mr. King, "was to turn her overto those two boys. Now, don't give her another thought, Polly; she'llget on. "

And she did; so well, that before long, she and Clare were chatting awaymerrily; and Cathie felt it was by no means such a very terribleexperience to be sitting between two boys at a play; and by the timethe evening was half over, she was sure that she liked it very much. 

And Polly beamed at her more than ever, and Jasper felt quite sure thathe had never enjoyed an evening more than the one at present flying byso fast. And old Mr. King, so handsome and stately, showed such evidentpride in his young charges, as he smiled and chatted, that more than oneold friend in the audience commented on it. 

"Did you ever see such a change in any one?" asked a dowager, levellingher keen glances from her box down upon the merry party. 

"Never; it was the one thing needed to make him quite perfect, " saidanother one of that set. "He is approachable now--absolutelyfascinating, so genial and courteous. "

"His manners were perfect before, " said a third member of the box party, "except they needed thawing out--a bit too icy. "

"You are too mild. I should say they were quite frozen. He never seemedto me to have any heart. "

"Well, it's proved he has, " observed her husband. "I tell you thatlittle Pepper girl is going to make a sensation when she comes out, "leaning over for a better view of the King party, "and the best of itis that she doesn't know it herself. "

And Clare made up his mind that Cathie Harrison was an awfully nicegirl; and he was real glad she had moved to town and joined theSalisbury School. And as he had two cousins there, they soon waked up aconversation over them. 

"Only I don't know them much, " said Cathie. "You see I haven't been atthe school long, and besides, the girls didn't have much to say to metill Polly Pepper said nice things to me, and then she asked me to go tothe bee. "

"That old sewing thing where they make clothes for the poor littledarkeys down South?" asked Clare. 

"Yes; and it's just lovely, " said Cathie, "and I never supposed I'd beasked. And Polly Pepper came down to my desk one day, and invited me tocome to the next meeting, and I was so scared, I couldn't say anythingat first; and then Polly got me into the Salisbury Club. "

"Oh, yes, I know. " Clare nodded, and wished he could forget how he hadasked one of the other boys on that evening when the two clubs united, why in the world the Salisbury Club elected Cathie Harrison into itsmembership. 

"And then Polly Pepper's mother invited me to visit her--Polly, Imean--and so here I am"--she forgot she was talking to a dreaded boy, and turned her happy face toward him--"and it's just lovely. I nevervisited a girl before. "

"Never visited a girl before!" repeated Clare, in astonishment. 

"No, " said Cathie. "You see, my father was a minister, and we lived inthe country, and when I visited anybody, which was only two or threetimes in my life, it was to papa's old aunts. "

"Oh dear me!" exclaimed Clare faintly, quite gone in pity. 

"And so your father moved to town, " he said; and then he knew that hehad made a terrible mistake. 

"Now she won't speak a word--perhaps burst out crying, " he groanedwithin himself, as he saw her face. But Cathie sat quite still. 

"My papa died, " she said softly, "and he told mamma before he went, totake me to town and have me educated. And one of those old aunts gavethe money. And if it hadn't been for him, I'd have run home from theSalisbury School that first week, it was so perfectly awful. "

Clare sat quite still. Then he burst out, "Well, now, Cathie, I think itwas just splendid in you to stick on. "

"Do you?" she cried, quite astonished to think any one would think shewas "just splendid" in anything. "Why, the girls call me a goose overand over. And sometimes I lose my temper, because they don't say it infun, but they really mean it. "

"Well, they needn't, " said Clare indignantly, "because I don't think youare a goose at all. "

"Those two are getting on quite well, " said Jasper to Polly. "I don'tthink we need to worry about Cathie any more. "

"And isn't she nice?" asked Polly, in great delight. 

"Yes, I think she is, Polly, " said Jasper, in a way that gave Pollygreat satisfaction. 

But when this delightful evening was all over, and the good nights hadbeen said, and Mother Fisher, as was her wont, had come into Polly'sroom to help her take off her things, and to say a few words to Cathietoo, Polly began to remember the scene in Mrs. Chatterton's room; and asorry little feeling crept into her heart. 

And when Mamsie had gone out and everything was quiet, Polly buried herface in her pillow, and tried not to cry. "I don't believe she will everforgive me, or let me help her again. "

"Polly, " called Cathie softly from the next room, "I did have the mostbeautiful time!"

"Did you?" cried Polly, choking back her sobs. "Oh, I am so glad, Cathie!"

"Yes, " said Cathie, "I did, Polly, and I'm not afraid of boys now; Ithink they are real nice. "

"Aren't they!" cried Polly, "and weren't our seats fine! Grandpapadidn't want a box to-night, because we could see the play so much betterfrom the floor. But we ought to go to sleep, Cathie, for Mamsie wouldn'tlike us to talk. Good night. "

"Good night, " said Cathie. "A box!" she said to herself, as she turnedon her pillow, "oh, I should have died to have sat up in one of those. It was quite magnificent enough where I was. "

XXII PICKERING DODGE

"Jasper!"

Jasper, rushing down the long hall of the Pemberton School, books inhand, turned to see Mr. Faber standing in the doorway of his privateroom. 

"I want to see you, Jasper. "

Jasper, with an awful feeling at his heart, obeyed and went in. "It'sall up with Pick, " he groaned, and sat down in the place indicated onthe other side of the big round table, Mr. Faber in his accustomed seat, the big leather chair. 

"You remember the conversation I had with you, Jasper, " he said slowly;and picking up a paper knife he began playing with it, occasionallyglancing up over his glasses at the boy. 

Jasper nodded, unable to find any voice. Then he managed to say, "Yes, sir. "

"Well, now, Jasper, it was rather an unusual thing to do, to set onelad, as it were, to work upon another in just that way. For I am sure Ihaven't forgotten my boyhood, long past as it is, and I realize that theresponsibilities of school life are heavy enough, without adding to theburden. "

Mr. Faber, well pleased with this sentiment, waited to clear his throat. Jasper, in an agony, as he saw Pickering Dodge expelled, and all thedreadful consequences, sat quite still. 

"At the same time, although I disliked to take you into confidence, making you an assistant in the work of reclaiming Pickering Dodge fromhis idle, aimless state, in which he exhibited such a total disregardfor his lessons, it appeared after due consideration to be the onlything left to be done. You understand this, I trust, Jasper. "

Jasper's reply this time was so low as to be scarcely audible. But Mr. Faber, taking it for granted, manipulated the paper knife a few times, and went on impressively. 

"I am very glad you do, Jasper. I felt sure, knowing you so well, thatmy reasons would appeal to you in the right way. You are Pickering'sbest friend among my scholars. "

"And he is mine, " exploded Jasper, thinking wildly that it was perhapsnot quite too late to save Pickering. "I've known him always, sir. " Hewas quite to the edge of his chair now, his dark eyes shining, and hishair tossed back. "Beg pardon, Mr. Faber, but I can't help it. Pickeringis so fine; he's not like other boys. "

"No, I believe you. " Mr. Faber smiled grimly and gave the paper knifeanother whirl. And much as Jasper liked him, that smile seemed whollyunnecessary, and to deal death to his hopes. 

"He certainly is unlike any other boy in my school in regard to hisstudying, " he said. "His capacity is not wanting, to be sure; there wasnever any lack of that. For that reason I was always hoping to arousehis ambition. "

"And you can--oh, you can, sir!" cried Jasper eagerly, although he feltevery word he said to be unwelcome, "if you will only try him a bitlonger. Don't send him off yet, Mr. Faber. "

He got off from his chair, and leaned on the table heavily. 

"Don't send him off?" repeated Mr. Faber, dropping the paper knife, "what is the boy talking of! Why, Jasper--I've called you in here totell you how much Pickering has improved and--"

Jasper collapsed on his chair. "And is it possible that you haven'tseen it for yourself, Jasper?" exclaimed Mr. Faber. "Why, every teacheris quite delighted. Even Mr. Dinsmore--and he was in favor of at leastsuspending Pickering last half--has expressed his opinion that I didwell to give the boy another trial. "

"I thought--" mumbled Jasper, "I was afraid. " Then he pulled himselftogether, and somehow found himself standing over by Mr. Faber's chair, unbosoming himself of his fright and corresponding joy. 

"Pull your chair up nearer, Jasper, " said Mr. Faber, when, the firsttransport having worked off, Jasper seemed better fitted forconversation, "and we will go over this in a more intelligent fashion. Iam really more pleased than I can express at the improvement in thatboy. As I said before"--Mr. Faber had long ago thrown aside the paperknife, and now turned toward Jasper, his whole attention on the matterin hand--"Pickering has a fine capacity; take it all in all, perhapsthere is none better in the whole school. It shows to great advantagenow, because he has regained his place so rapidly in his classes. It isquite astonishing, Jasper. " And he took off his glasses and polishedthem up carefully, repeating several times during the process, "Yes, very surprising indeed!"

"And he seems to like to study now, " said Jasper, ready to bring forwardall the nice things that warranted encouragement. 

"Does he so?" Mr. Faber set his glasses on his nose, and beamed at himover them. The boys at the Pemberton School always protested that thiswas the only use they could be put to on the master's countenance. "Well, now, Jasper, I really believe I am justified in entertaining avery strong hope of Pickering's future career. And I see no reason whyhe should not be ready for college with you, and without conditions, ifhe will only keep his ambition alive and active, now it is aroused. "

"May I tell him so?" cried Jasper, almost beside himself with joy. "Oh, may I, Mr. Faber?"

"Why, that is what I called you in here for, Jasper, " said the master. "It seemed so very much better for him to hear it from a boy, for Iremember my own boyhood, though so very long since; and the effect will, I feel sure, be much deeper than if Pickering hears it from me. He isvery tired of this study, Jasper, " and Mr. Faber glanced around at thefour walls, and again came that grim smile. "And even to hear a word ofcommendation, it might not be so pleasing to be called in. So away withyou. At the proper time, I shall speak to him myself. "

Jasper, needing no second bidding, fled precipitately--dashed in again. "Beg pardon, I'd forgotten my books. " He seized them from the table, andmade quick time tracking Pickering. 

"Where is Pick?" rushing up to a knot of boys on a corner of theplayground, just separating to go home. 

"Don't know; what's up, King?"

"Can't stop, " said Jasper, flying back to the schoolroom. "I must getPick. "

"Dodge has gone, " shouted a boy clearing the steps, who had heard thelast words. So Jasper, turning again, left school and playground farbehind, to run up the steps of the Cabot mansion. 

"Pickering here?"

"Yes. " The butler had seen him hurrying over the stairs to his own roomjust five minutes ago. And in less than a minute Jasper was up in thatsame place. 

There sat Pickering by his table, his long legs upon its surface, andhis hands thrust into his pockets. His books sprawled just where he hadthrown them, at different angles along the floor. 

"Hullo!" cried Jasper, flying in, to stop aghast at this. 

"Yes, you see, Jasper, I'm played out, " said Pickering. "It isn't anyuse for me to study, and there are the plaguey things, " pulling out oneset of fingers to point to the sprawling books. "I can't catch up. Everyteacher looks at me squint-eyed as if I were a hopeless case, which Iam!"

"Oh, you big dunce!" Jasper clapped his books on the table with a bang, making Pickering draw down his long legs, rushed around to precipitatehimself on the rest of the figure in the chair, when he pommelled him tohis heart's content. 

"If you expect to beat any hope into me, old boy, " cried Pickering, notcaring in the least for the onslaught, "you'll miss your guess. "

"I'm hoping to beat sense into you, " cried Jasper, pounding away, "though it looks almost impossible now, " he declared, laughing. "Pick, you've won! Mr. Faber says you've come up in classes splendidly, and--"

Pickering sprang to his feet. "What do you mean, Jasper?" he criedhoarsely, his face white as a sheet. 

"Just what I say. "

"Say it again. "

So Jasper went all over it once more, adding the other things aboutgetting into college and all that, as much as Pickering would hear. 

"Honest?" he broke in, his pale face getting a dull red, and seizingJasper by the shoulders. 

"Did I ever tell you anything that wasn't so, Pick?"

"No; but I can't believe it, Jap. It's the first time in my lifeI've--I've--" And what incessant blame could not do, praise achieved. Pickering rushed to the bed, flung himself face down upon it, and brokeinto a torrent of sobs. 

Jasper, who had never seen Pickering cry, had wild thoughts of rushingfor Mrs. Cabot; the uncle was not at home. But remembering how littlegood this could possibly do, he bent all his energies to stop thisunlooked-for flood. 

But he was helpless. Having never given way in this manner before, Pickering seemed determined to make a thorough job of it. And it was nottill he was quite exhausted that he rolled over, wiped his eyes, andlooked at Jasper. 

"I'm through, " he announced. 

"I should think you might well be, " retorted Jasper; "what with scaringme almost to death, you've made yourself a fright, Pick, and you've justupset all your chances to study to-day. "

Pickering flung himself off the bed as summarily as he had gone on. 

"That's likely, isn't it?" he cried mockingly, and shamefacedlyscrabbling up the books from the floor. "Now, then, " and he was acrossthe room, pouring out a basinful of water, to thrust his swollen facewithin it. 

"Whew! I never knew it used a chap up so to cry, " he spluttered. "Goodness me!" He withdrew his countenance from the towel to regardJasper. 

"How you look!" cried Jasper, considering it better to rail at him. 

Whereupon Pickering found his way to the long mirror. "I never was abeauty, " he said. 

"And now you are less, " laughed Jasper. 

"But I'm good, " said Pickering solemnly, and flinging himself down tohis books. 

"You can't study with such eyes, " cried Jasper, tugging at the book. 

"Clear out!"

"I'm not going. Pick, your eyes aren't much bigger than pins. "

"But they're sharp--just as pins are. Leave me alone. " Pickeringsquirmed all over his chair, but Jasper had the book. 

"Never mind, I'll fly at my history, then, " said Pickering, possessinghimself of another book; "that's the beauty of it. I'm as backward inall of my lessons as I am in one. I can strike in anywhere. "

"You are not backward in any now, " cried Jasper in glee, and performingan Indian war dance around the table. "Forward is the word henceforth, "he brought up dramatically with another lunge at Pickering. 

"Get out. You better go home. "

"I haven't the smallest intention of going, " replied Jasper, andsuccessfully coming off with a second book. 

"Here's for book number three, " declared Pickering--but too late. Jasperseized the remaining two, tossed them back of him, then squared off. 

"Come on for a tussle, old fellow. You're not fit to study--ruin youreyes. Come on!" his whole face sparkling. 

It was too much. The table was pushed one side; books and lessons, Mr. Faber and college, were as things never heard of. And for a good quarterof an hour, Pickering, whose hours of exercise had been much scantier oflate, was hard pushed to parry all Jasper's attacks. At the last, whenthe little clock on the mantel struck four, he came out ahead. 

"I declare, that was a good one, " he exclaimed in a glow. 

"Particularly so to you, " said Jasper ruefully. "You gave me a regularbear-hug, you scamp. "

"Had to, to pay you up. "

"And now you may study, " cried Jasper gaily; and snatching his books, heran off. 

"Oh, Pick, " putting his head in at the door. 

"Yes?"

"If the lessons are done, come over this evening, will you?"

"All right. " The last sound of Jasper's feet on the stairs reachedPickering, when he suddenly left his chair and flew into the hall. 

"Jap--oh, I say, Jap!" Then he plunged back into his room to thrust hishead out of the window. "Jap!" he howled, to the consternation of a fatold gentleman passing beneath, who on account of his size, finding itsomewhat inconvenient to look up, therefore waddled into the street, andsurveyed the house gravely. 

Pickering slammed down the window, leaving the old gentleman to stare aslong as he saw fit. 

"I can't go over there to-night, looking like this. " He pranced up tothe mirror again, fuming every step of the way, and surveyed himself indismay. There was some improvement in the appearance of his countenance, to be sure, but not by any means enough to please him. His pale blueeyes were so small, and their surroundings so swollen, that theyreminded him of nothing so much as those of a small pig he had madeacquaintance with in a visit up in the country. While his nose, long andusually quite aristocratic-looking, had resigned all claims todistinction, and was hopelessly pudgy. 

"Jasper knows I can't go in this shape, " he cried in a fury. "GreatCæsar's ghost! I never supposed it banged a fellow up so, to cry justonce!" And the next moments were spent in sopping his face violentlywith the wet towel, which did no good, as it had been plentifullysupplied with that treatment before. 

At last he flung himself into his chair. "If I don't go over, Jap willthink I haven't my lessons, so that's all right. And I won't have themanyway if I don't tackle them pretty quick. So here goes!" And presentlythe only sound to be heard was the ticking of the little clock, variedby the turning of his pages, or the rattling of the paper on which hewas working out the problems for to-morrow. 

"Oh dear me! Jasper, " Polly exclaimed about half-past seven, "I don'tbelieve Pickering is coming. "

"He hasn't his lessons, I suppose, " said Jasper. "You know I told him tocome over as soon as they were done. Well, Polly, we agreed, you know, to let him alone as to invitations until the lessons were out of theway, so I won't go over after him. "

"I know, " said Polly, "but oh, Jasper, isn't it just too elegant foranything, to think that Mr. Faber says it's all right with him?"

"I should think it was, " cried Jasper. "Now if he only keeps on, Polly. "

"Oh, he must; he will, " declared Polly confidently. "Well, we can putoff toasting marshmallows until to-morrow night. "

About this time, Pickering, whose lessons were all done, for he had, asMr. Faber had said, "a fine capacity" to learn, was receiving companyjust when he thought he was safe from showing his face. 

"Let's stop for Pickering Dodge, " proposed Alexia, Clare having run infor her to go over to Polly Pepper's, "to toast marshmallows and havefun generally. "

"All right; so we can, " cried Clare. So they turned the corner and wentdown to the Cabot mansion, and were let in before the old butler couldbe stopped. 

Pickering, whose uncle and aunt were out for the evening, had felt itsafe to throw himself down on the library sofa. When he saw that Johnhad forgotten what he told him, not to let anybody in, he sprang up; butnot before Alexia, rushing in, had cried, "Oh, here you are! Come onwith us to Polly Pepper's!" Clare dashed in after her. 

"Ow!" exclaimed Pickering, seizing a sofa pillow, to jam it against hisface. 

"What _is_ the matter?" cried Alexia. "Oh, have you a toothache?"

"Worse than that, " groaned Pickering behind his pillow. 

"Oh, my goodness me!" exclaimed Alexia, tumbling back. "What can it be?"

"You haven't broken your jaw, Pick?" observed Clare. "I can't imaginethat. "

"I'll break yours if you don't go, " said Pickering savagely, and halfsmothered, as he tried to keep the pillow well before the two pairs ofeyes. 

This was a little difficult, as Clare, seeing hopes of running aroundthe pillow, set himself in motion to that end. But as Pickering whirledas fast as he did, there was no great gain. 

"Well, if I ever did!" exclaimed Alexia, quite aghast. 

And the next moment Pickering, keeping a little opening at one end ofthe pillow, saw his chance; darted out of the door, and flinging thepillow the length of the hall, raced into his own room and slammed thedoor, and they could hear him lock it. 

"Well, if I ever did!" exclaimed Alexia again, and sinking into thefirst chair, she raised both hands. 

"What's got into the beggar?" cried Clare in perplexity, and looking outinto the hall, as if some help to the puzzle might be found there. 

"Well, I guess you and I, Alexia, might as well go to Polly Pepper's, "he said finally. 

"And if I ever come after that boy again to tell him of anything nicethat's going to happen, I miss my guess, " declared Alexia, gettingherself out of her chair, in high dudgeon. "Let's send Jasper after him;he's the only one who can manage him, " she cried, as they set forth. 

"Good idea, " said Clare. 

But when Alexia told of their funny reception, Jasper first stared, thenburst out laughing. And although Alexia teased and teased, she got nosatisfaction. 

"It's no use, Alexia, " Jasper said, wiping his eyes, "you won't get meto tell. So let's set about having some fun. What shall we do?"

"I don't want to do anything, " pouted Alexia, "only to know what madePickering Dodge act in that funny way. "

"And that's just what you won't know, Alexia, " replied Jaspercomposedly. "Well, Polly, you are going to put off toasting themarshmallows, aren't you, till to-morrow night, when Pick can probablycome?"

"Oh, I wouldn't wait for him, " Alexia burst out, quite exasperated, "when he's acted so. And perhaps he'd come with an old sofa pillowbefore his face, if you did. "

"Oh, no, he won't, Alexia, " said Jasper, going off into another laugh. But although she teased again, she got no nearer to the facts. And Pollyproposing that they make candy, the chafing dish was gotten out; andAlexia, who was quite an adept in the art, went to work, Jasper crackingthe nuts, and Polly and Clare picking out the meats. 

And then all the story of Pickering's splendid advance in the tough workof making up his lessons came out, Jasper pausing so long to dilate withkindling eyes upon it, that very few nuts fell into the dish. So Polly'sfingers were the only ones to achieve much, as Clare gave so closeattention to the story that he was a very poor helper. 

In the midst of it, Alexia threw down the chafing-dish spoon, andclapped her hands. "Oh, I know!" she exclaimed. 

"Oh, " cried Polly, looking up from the little pile of nut-meats, "howyou scared me, Alexia!"

"I know--I know!" exclaimed Alexia again, and nodding to herself wisely. 

Jasper threw her a quick glance. It said, "If you know, don't tell, Alexia. " And she flashed back, "Did you suppose I would?"

"What do you know?" demanded Clare, transferring his attention fromJasper to her. "Tell on, Alexia; what do you know?"

"Oh, my goodness me! this candy never will be done in time for thosemeats, " cried Alexia, picking up the spoon to stir away for dear life. And Jasper dashed in on what Mr. Faber said about Pickering's chancesfor college; a statement that completely carried Clare off his feet, soto speak. 

"You don't mean that he thinks Pick will get in without conditions?"gasped Clare, dumfounded. 

"Yes, I do. " Jasper nodded brightly. "If Pick will only study; keep itup, you know, I mean to the end. He surely said it, Clare. "

It was so much for Clare to think of, that he didn't have any words athis command. 

"Now isn't that perfectly splendid in Pickering!" cried Alexia, makingthe spoon fly merrily. "Oh dear me! I forgot to put in the butter. Where--oh, here it is, " and she tossed in a big piece. "To thinkthat--oh dear me, I forgot! I _did_ put the butter in before. Now I'vespoilt it, " and she threw down the spoon in despair. 

"Fish it out, " cried Polly, hopping up and seizing the spoon to makelittle dabs at the ball of butter now rapidly lessening. 

"But it's melted--that is, almost--oh dear me!" cried Alexia. 

"No, it isn't; there, see how big it is. " Polly landed it deftly on theplate and hopped back to her nut-meats again. 

"And I should think you'd better shake yourself, Clare, " said Jasper, over at him. "We shouldn't have any nuts in this candy if it depended onyou. "

"You do tell such astounding stories, " cried Clare, setting to work atonce. And Jasper making as much noise as he could while cracking hisnuts, Alexia's secret was safe. 

But when the candy was set out to cool, and there was a pause in whichthe two boys were occupied by themselves, Alexia pulled Polly off to acorner. 

"Where are they going?" asked Clare, with one eye after them. 

"Oh, they have something to talk over, I presume, " said Jaspercarelessly. 

"Nonsense! they've all the time every day. Let's go over and see. "

"Oh, no, " said Jasper. "Come on, Clare, and let's see if the candy iscool. " But Clare didn't want to see if the candy was cool, nor anythingelse but to have his own way. So he proceeded over to the corner byhimself. 

"Oho! You go right away!" cried Alexia, poking up her head over Polly'sshoulder. "You dreadful boy! Now, Polly, come. " And she pulled her offinto the library. 

"You see you didn't get anything for your pains, " said Jasper, burstinginto a laugh. "You'd much better have staid here. "

"Well, I don't want to know, anyway, " said Clare, taking a suddeninterest in the candy. "I believe it is cold, Jasper; let's look. "

"Polly, " Alexia was saying in the library behind the portières, "I knownow; because I did it once myself: it was when you first promised you'dbe a friend to me, and I went home, and cried for very joy. And I didn'twant to see anybody that night. "

"Oh, Alexia!" exclaimed Polly, giving her a hug that satisfied evenAlexia. 

"No, I didn't; and I remember how I wanted to hold something up to myface. I never thought of a sofa pillow, and I couldn't have gotten it ifI had thought, 'cause aunt had it crammed against her back. Oh, my eyeswere a sight, Polly, and my nose was all over my face. "

XXIII THE CLEMCY GARDEN PARTY

"You may go on those errands, Hortense, but first send Polly Pepper tome, " commanded Mrs. Chatterton sharply. 

The French maid paused in the act of hanging up a gown. "I will_re_-quest her, Madame. I should not like to send Mees Polly Peppaire. "

"_Miss_ Polly Pepper!" Mrs. Chatterton was guilty of stamping her foot. "Are you mad? I am speaking of Polly Pepper, this country girl, who isas poor and low-born here in this house, as if in her little brownhouse, wherever that may be. "

Hortense shrugged her shoulders, and hung up the gown. 

"Has Madame any further commands for me?" she asked, coming up to hermistress. 

"Yes; be sure to get the velvet at Lemaire's, and take back the silkkimono. I will send to New York for one. "

"Yes, Madame. "

"That is all--besides the other errands. Now go. " She dismissed her witha wave of her shapely hand. "But first, as I bade you, _send_ PollyPepper to me. "

Hortense, with another elevation of her shoulders, said nothing, tillshe found herself the other side of the door. Then she shook her fist atit. 

"It ees not Miss Polly who will be sent for; it ees Madame who will besent out of dees house, _j'ai peur_--ha, ha, ha!"

She laughed softly to herself all the way downstairs, with an insolentlittle fling to her head, that boded ill for her mistress's interests. 

Meanwhile, Mrs. Chatterton was angrily pacing up and down the room. "What arrant nonsense a man can be capable of when he is headstrong tobegin with! To think of the elegant Horatio King, a model for all men, surrounding himself with this commonplace family. Faugh! It is easyenough to see what they are all after. But I shall prevent it. Meanwhile, the only way to do it is to break the spirit of this PollyPepper. Once do that, and I have the task easy to my hand. "

She listened intently. "It can't be possible she would refuse to come. Ha! I thought so. "

Polly came quietly in. No one to see her face would have supposed thatshe had thrown aside the book she had been waiting weeks to read, sothat lessons and music need not suffer. For she was really glad whenMrs. Chatterton's French maid asked her respectfully if she would pleasebe so good as to step up to her mistress's apartments, "_s'il vousplait_, Mees Polly. "

"Yes, indeed, " cried Polly, springing off from the window-seat, andforgetting the enchanted story-land immediately in the rush of delight. "Oh, I have another chance to try to please her, " she thought, skimmingover the stairs. But she was careful to restrain her steps on reachingthe room. 

"You may take that paper, " said Mrs. Chatterton, seating herself in herfavorite chair, "and read to me. You know the things I desire to hear, or ought to. " She pointed to the society news, _Town Talk_, lying on thetable. 

Polly took it up, glad to be of the least service, and whirled it overto get the fashion items, feeling sure that now she was on the rightroad to favor. 

"Don't rattle it, " cried Mrs. Chatterton, in a thin, high voice. 

"I'll try not to, " said Polly, wishing she could be deft-handed likeMamsie, and doing her best to get to the inner page quietly. 

"And why don't you read where you are?" cried Mrs. Chatterton. "Begin onthe first page. I wish to hear that first. "

Polly turned the sheet back again, and obeyed. But she hadn't read morethan a paragraph when she came to a dead stop. 

"Go on, " commanded Mrs. Chatterton, her eyes sparkling. She hadforgotten to play with her rings, being perfectly absorbed in thedelicious morsels of exceedingly unsavory gossip she was hearing. 

Polly laid the paper in her lap, and her two hands fell upon it. "Oh, Mrs. Chatterton, " she cried, the color flying from her cheek, "pleaselet me read something else to you. Mamsie wouldn't like me to readthis. " The brown eyes filled with tears, and she leaned forwardimploringly. 

"Stuff and nonsense!" exclaimed Mrs. Chatterton passionately. "I commandyou to read that, girl. Do you hear me?"

"I cannot, " said Polly, in a low voice. "Mamsie wouldn't like it. " Butit was perfectly distinct, and fell upon the angry ears clearly; andstorm as she might, Mrs. Chatterton knew that the little country maidenwould never bend to her will in this case. 

"I would have you to know that I understand much better than your motherpossibly can, what is for your good to read. Besides, she will neverknow. "

"Mamsie knows every single thing that we children do, " cried Pollydecidedly, and lifting her pale face; "and she understands better thanany one else about what we ought to do, for she is our mother. "

"What arrant nonsense!" exclaimed Mrs. Chatterton passionately, andunable to control herself at the prospect of losing Polly for a reader, which she couldn't endure, as she thoroughly enjoyed her services inthat line. She got out of her chair, and paced up and down the longapartment angrily, saying all sorts of most disagreeable things, thatPolly only half heard, so busy was she debating in her own mind what sheought to do. Should she run out of the room, and leave this dreadful oldwoman that every one in the house was tired of? Surely she had triedenough to please her, but she could not do what Mamsie would neverapprove of. And just as Polly had about decided to slip out, she lookedup. 

Mrs. Chatterton, having exhausted her passion, as it seemed to do nogood, was returning to her seat, with such a dreary step and forlornexpression that she seemed ten years older. She really looked veryfeeble, and Polly broke out impulsively, "Oh, let me read the other partof the paper, dear Mrs. Chatterton. May I?"

"Read it, " said Mrs. Chatterton ungraciously, and sat down in herfavorite chair. 

Polly, scarcely believing her ears, whirled over the sheet, anddetermined to read as well as she possibly could, managed to throw somuch enthusiasm into the fashion hints and social items, that presentlyMrs. Chatterton's eyes were sparkling again, although she was deprivedof her unsavory morsels. 

And before long she was eagerly telling Polly to read over certaindictates of the Paris correspondent, who was laying down the law forfeminine dress, and calling again for the last information of themovements of members of her social set, till there could be no questionof her enjoyment. 

Polly, not knowing or caring how long she had been thus occupied, solong as Mrs. Chatterton was happy, was only conscious that Hortense cameback from the errands, which occasioned only a brief pause. 

"Put the parcels down, " said Mrs. Chatterton, scarcely glancing at her, "I cannot attend to you now. Go on, Polly. "

So Polly went on, until the fashionable and social world had been sothoroughly canvassed that even Mrs. Chatterton was quite convinced thatshe could get no more from the paper. 

"You may go now, " she said, but with a hungry glance for the first page. Then she tore her gaze away, and repeated more coldly than ever, "Youmay go. "

Polly ran off, dismayed to find how happy she was at the release. Herfeet, unaccustomed to sitting still so long, were numb, and littleprickles were running up and down her legs. She hurried as fast as shecould into Mamsie's room, feeling in need of all the good cheer shecould find. 

"Mrs. Fisher has gone out, " said Jane, going along the hall. 

"Gone out!" repeated Polly, "Oh, where? Do you know, Jane?"

"I don't exactly know, " said Jane, "but she took Miss Phronsie; and Ithink it's shopping they went for. Mr. King has taken them in thecarriage. "

"Oh, I know it is, " cried Polly, and a dreadful feeling surged throughher. Why had she spent all this time with that horrible old woman, andlost this precious treat!

"They thought you had gone to the Salisbury School, " said Jane, wishingshe could give some comfort, "for they wanted you awfully to go. "

"And now I've lost it all, " cried Polly at a white heat--"all thisperfectly splendid time with Grandpapa and Mamsie and Phronsie just forthe sake of a horrible--"

Then she broke short off, and ran back into Mamsie's room, and flungherself down by the bed, just as she used to do by the four-poster inthe bedroom of the little brown house. 

"Why, Polly, child!" Mother Fisher's voice was very cheery as she camein, Phronsie hurrying after. 

"I don't see her, " began Phronsie in a puzzled way, and peering on allsides. "Where is she, Mamsie?"

Mrs. Fisher went over and laid her hand on Polly's brown head. "Now, Phronsie, you may run out, that is a good girl. " She leaned over, andset a kiss on Phronsie's red lips. 

"Is Polly sick?" asked Phronsie, going off to the door obediently, butlooking back with wondering eyes. 

"No, dear, I think not, " said Mrs. Fisher. "Run along, dear. "

"I am so glad she isn't sick, " said Phronsie, as she went slowly off. Yet she carried a troubled face. 

"I ought to go and see how Sinbad is, " she decided, as she wentdownstairs. This visit was an everyday performance, to be carefully gonethrough with. So she passed out of the big side doorway, to the veranda. 

"There is Michael now, " she cried joyfully, espying that individualraking up the west lawn. So skipping off, she flew over to him. Thiscaught the attention of little Dick from the nursery window. 

"Hurry up there!" he cried crossly to Battles, who was having a hardtime anyway getting him into a fresh sailor suit. 

"Oh, Dicky--Dicky!" called mamma softly from her room. 

"I can't help it, mamma; Battles is slow and poky, " he fumed. 

"Oh, no, dear, " said his mother; "Battles always gets you ready veryswiftly, as well as nicely. "

Battles, a comfortable person, turned her round face with a smile towardthe door. "And if you was more like your mamma, Master Dick, you'd bethrough with dressing, and make everything more pleasant to yourself andto every one else. "

"Well, I'm not in the least like mamma, Battles; I can't be. "

"No, indeed, you ain't. But you can try, " said Battles encouragingly. 

"Why, Battles Whitney!" exclaimed Dick, whirling around on her. Inastonishment, or any excitement, Dicky invariably gave her the wholename that he felt she ought to possess; "Mrs. Mara Battles" not being atall within his comprehension. "What an _awful_ story!"

"Dicky--Dicky!" reproved Mrs. Whitney. 

"Well, I can't help it, mamma. " Dick now escaped from Battles' handsaltogether, and fled into the other room, the comfortable personfollowing. "She said"--plunging up to her chair in greatexcitement--"that I could be like you. "

"I said you could try to be, " corrected Battles, smoothing down herapron. 

"And she knows I can't ever be, in all this world, " declared Dick, shaking his short curls in decision, and glancing back to see theeffect, "for you're a woman, and I'm always going to be a man. Why, seehow big I am now!" He squared off, and strutted up and down the littleboudoir. 

"And you'd be bigger if you'd let me fix your blouse and button it up, "declared Battles, laughing, and bearing down on him to fasten the bandand tuck in the vest. "And if you were more like your mother indisposition--that's what I mean--'twould be a sight comfortabler for youand every one else. Now, says I, your hair's got to be brushed. " And sheled him back into the nursery, laughing all the way. 

"What makes you shake so when you laugh, Battles?" asked Dick suddenly, and ignoring all references to his disposition. 

"Can't help it, " said Battles, beginning work on the curls; "that'sbecause there's so much of me, I suppose, " and she laughed more thanever. 

"There's so very much of you, Battles, " observed Dick with a criticallook all over her rotund figure. "What makes it?"

"Oh, I don't know, " said Battles. "Stand still, Dicky, and I'll bethrough all the sooner. Some folks is big and round, and some folks islittle and scrawny. "

"What's scrawny?" asked Dick, who always got as many alleviations byconversation as possible out of the detested hair-brushing. 

"Why, thin and lean. "

"Oh, well, go on, Battles. "

"And I'm one of the big and round ones, " said Battles, seeing nooccasion in that statement to abate her cheerfulness. So she laughedagain. 

"I like you big and round, Battles, " cried little Dick affectionately, and whirling about so suddenly as to endanger his eye with the combdoing good execution. And he essayed to put his arms around her waist, which he was always hoping to be able to accomplish. 

"That's good, " said Battles, laughing, well pleased. "But you mustn'tjump around so. There now, in a minute you shall be off. " And she tookup the brush. 

"I must, " declared Dick, remembering his sight of Phronsie runningacross the lawn; "do hurry, Battles, " he pleaded, which so won her heartthat she abridged part of the brushing, and let him scamper off. 

Phronsie was kneeling down in front of Sinbad's kennel. 

"Can't you untie him to-day, Michael?" she asked, a question she hadpropounded each morning since the boys went back to school. 

"Yes, Miss Phronsie, I think I can; he's wonted now, and the other dogsare accustomed to him. Besides, I've locked up Jerry since he fit him. "

"I know, " said Phronsie sorrowfully; "that was naughty of Jerry whenSinbad had only just come. "

Michael scratched his head. He couldn't tell her what was on his mind, that Sinbad was scarcely such a dog as any one would buy, and thereforehis presence was not to be relished by the high-bred animals already athome on the place. 

"Well, you know, Miss Phronsie, " he said at last, "it's kinder difficultlike, to expect some dogs to remember their manners; and Jerry ain'tlike all the others in that respect. "

"Please tell him about it, " said Phronsie earnestly, "how good Prince isto Sinbad, and then I guess he'll want to be like him. " For Phronsie hadnever swerved in her allegiance to Prince ever since he saved her fromthe naughty organ man in the little-brown-house days. And in all herconversations with the other dogs she invariably held up Jasper's bigblack dog, his great friend and companion since pinafore days, as theirmodel. 

And just then Dicky ran up breathlessly. 

"Dick, " announced Phronsie excitedly, "Michael is going to let Sinbadout to-day. " And she clasped her hands in delight. 

"Jolly!" exclaimed Dick, capering about. 

"Now, Master Dick, you must let the dog alone, " cried Michael. "It'stime to try him with his freedom a bit. He's chafin' at that chain. " Helooked anxiously at Dick. "Stand off there, both of you, " and he slippedthe chain off. 

Sinbad gave a little wiggle with his hind legs, and stretched his yellowbody. It was too good to be true! But it was, though; he was free, andhe shot out from his kennel, which was down in the gardener's quarters, and quite removed from the other dogs, and fairly tore--his raggedlittle tail straight out--across the west lawn. 

"Oh, he'll run back to Joel at school, " cried Dick, who had heard Joelsay he must be tied at first when everything was strange; and he startedon a mad run after him. 

"You stay still, " roared Michael; "that dog is only stretchin' his legs. He'll come back. " But as well tell the north wind to stop blowing. Dicky's blouse puffed out with the breeze, as his small legs executedfine speed. 

"Oh, Michael!" cried Phronsie in the greatest distress, "make Dicky comeback. "

"Oh, he'll come back, " said Michael reassuringly, though he quakedinwardly. And so Dicky did. But it was now a matter of Sinbad chasinghim; for as Michael had said, the dog, after stretching his legs as themad rush across the lawn enabled him to do, now was very much pleased toreturn for a little petting at the hands of those people who had givenhim every reason to expect that he should receive it; and supposing, from Dick's chase after him, that a race was agreeable, he set forth;his ears, as ragged as his tail, pricked up in the fullest enjoyment ofthe occasion. 

But Dick saw nothing in it to enjoy. And exerting all his strength tokeep ahead, which he couldn't do as well for the reason that he wasscreaming fearfully, Sinbad came up with him easily. Dicky, turning hishead in mad terror at that instant, stumbled and fell. Sinbad, unable tostop at short notice, or rather no notice at all, rolled over with himin a heap. 

This brought all the stable-boys to the scene, besides Mrs. Whitney whohad seen some of the affair from her window; and finally, wheneverything was beginning to be calmed down, Battles reached the lawn. 

Sinbad was in Phronsie's lap, who sat on the grass, holding him tightly. 

"Oh, Phronsie!" gasped Mrs. Whitney at that. "Michael, do take himaway, " as she fled by to Dick. One of the stable-boys was brushing offthe grime from his sailor suit. 

"The dog is all right, ma'am, " said Michael, "'twas only play; I s'poseMaster Joel has raced with him. "

"'Twas only play, " repeated little Dick, who, now that he found himselfwhole, was surprised the idea hadn't occurred to him before. "Hoh! I'mnot hurt, and I'm going to race with him again. "

"Not to-day, Dicky, " said Mrs. Whitney, looking him all over anxiously. 

"He's all right, ma'am, " declared Michael; "they just rolled overtogether, 'cause, you see, ma'am, the dog couldn't stop, he was a-goin'so fast, when the youngster turned right in his face. "

And Dick, to prove his soundness of body and restoration of mind, ran upto Phronsie, and flung himself down on the grass by her side. 

Sinbad received him as a most pleasant acquaintance, cocked up hisragged ears, and tried to wag his poor little scrubby tail, never quitegetting it into his head that it wasn't long and graceful. And then heset upon the task of licking Dick's hands all over, and as much of hisface as was possible to compass. 

"See that now, " cried Michael triumphantly, pointing, "that dog mayn'tbe handsome, but he hain't got a bad bone in his body, if he does looklike the Evil One hisself. "

This episode absorbing all their attention, nobody heard or saw AlexiaRhys, running lightly up over the terrace. "Oh, my! what _are_ youdoing? And where's Polly?" she asked of Mrs. Whitney. 

It being soon told, Alexia, who evidently had some exciting piece ofnews for Polly, ran into the house. 

"Polly, " she called. "Oh, Polly Pepper, where _are_ you?" running overthe stairs at the same time. 

But Polly, as we have seen, was not in her room. 

"Now then, " Mother Fisher said at sound of Alexia's voice, "as we'vefinished our talk, Polly, why, you must run down and see her. "

But Polly clung to her mother's neck. "Do you think I ought to go nextSaturday morning out shopping, Mamsie, after I've been so naughty?"

"Indeed, you ought, " cried Mrs. Fisher, in her most decisive fashion. "Dear me! that would be very dreadful, Polly, after we put it off foryou, when we thought you had gone down to the Salisbury School. Why, wecouldn't get along without you, Polly. "

So Polly, with a happy feeling at her heart that she was really neededto make the shopping trip a success, and best of all for the long talkwith Mamsie, that had set many things right, ran down to meet Alexia, brimming over with her important news. 

"Where _have_ you been?" demanded Alexia, just on the point of rushingout of Polly's room in despair. "I've looked everywhere for you, even inthe shoe-box. " And without waiting for a reply, she dragged Polly back. "Oh, you can't possibly guess!" her pale eyes gleaming with excitement. 

"Then tell me, do, Alexia, " begged Polly, scarcely less wrought up. 

"Oh, Polly, the most elegant thing imaginable!" Alexia dearly loved tospin out her exciting news as long as possible, driving the girls almostfrantic by such methods. 

"Well, if you are not going to tell me, I might as well go back again, up in Mamsie's room, " declared Polly, working herself free from the longarms, and starting for the door. 

"Oh, I'll tell, Polly--I'll tell, " cried Alexia, plunging after. "MissSalisbury says--I've just been up to the school after my Germangrammar--that Mr. John Clemcy and Miss Ophelia have invited the wholeSalisbury School out there for next Saturday afternoon. Think of it, after that smashed vase, Polly Pepper!"

Polly Pepper sat down on the shoe-box, quite gone in surprise. 

It was as Alexia had said: a most surprising thing, when one took intoconsideration how much Mr. John Clemcy had suffered from thecarelessness of a Salisbury pupil on the occasion of the accidentalvisit. But evidently one of his reasons--though by no means the onlyone--was his wish to salve the feelings of the gentlewomen, who wereconstantly endeavoring to show him their overwhelming sorrow, and tryingto make all possible reparation for the loss of the vase. 

And he had stated his desire so forcibly on one of the many visits tothe school that seemed to be necessary after the accident, that MissSalisbury was unable to refuse the invitation, although it nearly threwher, self-contained as she usually was, into a panic at the very idea. 

"But why did you promise, sister?" Miss Anstice turned on her on thewithdrawal of the gentleman, whose English composure of face and bearingwas now, in its victory, especially trying to bear. "I am surprised atyou. Something dreadful will surely happen. "

"Don't, Anstice, " begged Miss Salisbury, nervous to the last degree, since even the support of "sister" was to be withdrawn. "It was theleast I could do, to please him--after what has happened. "

"Well, something will surely happen, " mourned Miss Anstice. "You knowhow unfortunate it has been from the very beginning. I've never beenable to look at that gown since, although it has been washed till everystain is removed. "

"Put it on for this visit, sister, " advised Miss Salisbury, with ahealthy disapproval of superstitions, "and break the charm. "

"Oh, never!" Miss Anstice raised her slender hands. "I wouldn't run sucha chance as to wear that gown for all the world. It will be unluckyenough, you will see, without that, sister. "

But as far as anybody could see, everything was perfectly harmonious andsuccessful on the following Saturday afternoon. To begin with, theweather was perfect; although at extremely short intervals Miss Ansticekept reminding her sister that a tremendous shower might be expectedwhen the expedition was once under way. 

The girls, when they received their invitation Monday morning from MissSalisbury in the long schoolroom, were, to state it figuratively, "takenoff their feet" in surprise, with the exception of those fortunateenough to have caught snatches of the news always sure to travel fastwhen set going by Alexia; and wild was the rejoicing, when they couldforget the broken vase, at the prospect of another expedition under MissSalisbury's guidance. 

"If Miss Anstice only weren't going!" sighed Clem. "She is such a fussyold thing. It spoils everybody's fun just to look at her. "

"Well, don't look at her, " advised Alexia calmly; "for my part, I neverdo, unless I can't help it. "

"How are you going to help it, " cried Amy Garrett dismally, "when youare in her classes? Oh dear! I do wish Miss Salisbury would get rid ofher as a teacher, and let Miss Wilcox take her place. "

"Miss Wilcox is just gay!" exclaimed Silvia. "Well, don't let's talk ofthat old frump any more. Goodness me! here she comes, " as Miss Ansticeadvanced down the long hall, where the girls were discussing thewonderful invitation after school. 

And as the day was perfect, so the spirits of the "Salisbury girls" wereat their highest. And Mr. Kimball and his associates drove them over inthe same big barges, the veteran leader not recovering from thesurprise into which he had been thrown by this afternoon party given tothe Salisbury School by Mr. Clemcy and his sister. 

"Of all things in this world, this is th' cap-sheaf, " he mutteredseveral times on the way. "A good ten year or more, those English folkshave been drawin' back in them pretty grounds, an' offendin' every one;an' now, to get a passel o' girls to run over an' stomp 'em all down!"

Being unable to solve the puzzle, it afforded him plenty of occupationto work away at it. 

Mr. Clemcy and Miss Ophelia, caring as little for the opinion of thestage-driver as for the rest of the world, received the visitors on thebroad stone piazza, whose pillars ran the length of the house, and up tothe roof, affording a wide gallery above. It was all entwined withEnglish ivy and creepers taken from the homestead in Devonshire, andbrought away when the death of the old mother made it impossible forlife to be sustained by Miss Ophelia unless wrenched up from the rootswhere clustered so many memories. So Brother John decided to make thatwrench, and to make it complete. So here they were. 

"I didn't know it was so pretty, " cried Clem, after the ladies had beenwelcomed with the most gracious, old-time hospitality, and theschoolgirls tumbled out of the barges to throng up. "It rained so whenwe were here before, we couldn't see anything. "

"Pretty?" repeated Alexia, comprehending it all in swift, bird-likeglances. "It's perfectly beautiful!" She turned, and Mr. Clemcy, who wasregarding her, smiled, and they struck up a friendship on the spot. 

"Miss Salisbury, allow me. " Mr. Clemcy was leading her off. MissAnstice, not trusting the ill-fated white gown, rustled after in theblack silk one, with Miss Ophelia, down the wide hall, open at the end, with vistas of broad fields beyond, where the host paused. "Let theyoung ladies come, " he said; and the girls trooped after, to crowdaround the elder people. 

Amongst the palms and bookcases, with which the broad hall was lined, was a pedestal, whose top was half covered with a soft, filmy cloth. 

Mr. Clemcy lifted this, and took it off carefully. There stood thelittle vase, presenting as brave an appearance as in its firstperfection. 

[Illustration: THERE STOOD THE LITTLE VASE, PRESENTING AS BRAVE ANAPPEARANCE AS IN ITS FIRST PERFECTION. ]

Miss Salisbury uttered no exclamation, but preserved her composure by aviolent effort. 

"I flatter myself on my ability to repair my broken collection, " beganMr. Clemcy, when a loud exclamation from the girls in front startledevery one. Miss Anstice, on the first shock, had been unable to findthat composure that was always "sister's" envied possession; so despitethe environment of the black silk gown, she gave it up, and sankgradually to the ground. 

"I told you so, " cried Clem, in a hoarse whisper to her nearestneighbors; "she always spoils everybody's fun, " as Miss Anstice, at thehost's suggestion, his sister being rendered incapable of action at thissudden emergency, was put to rest in one of the pretty chintz-coveredrooms above, till such time as she could recover herself enough to jointhem below. 

"I couldn't help it, sister, " she said. "I've been so worried about thatvase. _You_ don't know, because you are always so calm; and then to seeit standing there--it quite took away my breath. "

Oh, the delights of the rose-garden! in which every variety of theold-fashioned rose seemed to have had a place lovingly assigned to it. Sweetbrier clambered over the walls of the gardener's cottage, thestables, and charming summer-houses, into which the girls ran withdelight. For Mr. Clemcy had said they were to go everywhere and enjoyeverything without restraint. 

"He's a dear, " exclaimed Lucy Bennett, "only I'm mortally afraid ofhim. "

"Well, I'm not, " proclaimed Alexia. 

The idea of Alexia being in any state that would suggest fear, being sofunny, the girls burst out laughing. 

"Well, we sha'n't any of us feel like laughing much in a little while, "said Clem dolefully. 

"What is the matter?" cried a dozen voices. 

"Matter enough, " replied Clem. "I've said so before, and now I know it'scoming. Just look at that. "

She pushed aside the swaying branches of the sweetbrier, and pointedtragically. "I don't see anything, " said one or two of the girls. 

"_There!_" "There" meant Mr. Clemcy and Miss Salisbury passing down therose-walk, the broad central path. He was evidently showing her sometreasured variety and descanting on it; the principal of the SalisburySchool from her wide knowledge of roses, as well as of other subjects, being able to respond very intelligently. 

"Oh, can't you see? You stupid things!" cried Clem. "He's going to marryour Miss Salisbury, and then she'll give up our school; and--and--" Sheturned away, and threw herself off in a corner. 

A whole chorus of "No--no!" burst upon this speech. 

"Hush!" cried Alexia, quite horrified. "Polly, do stop them; MissSalisbury is turning around; and she's been worried quite enough overthat dreadful Miss Anstice, " which had the effect of reducing the girlsto quiet. 

"But it isn't so, " cried the girls in frantic whispers, "what Clemsays. " And those who were not sure of themselves huddled down on thesummer-house floor. "Say, Alexia, you don't think so, do you?"

But Alexia would give them no comfort, but wisely seizing Polly's arm, departed with her. "I shall say something that I'll be sorry for, " shedeclared, "if I stay another moment longer. For, Polly Pepper, I doreally believe that it's true, what Clem says. "

And the rest of that beautiful afternoon, with rambles over the wideestate, and tea with berries and cream on the terraces, was a dream, scarcely comprehended by the "Salisbury girls, " who were strangely quietand well-behaved. For this Miss Salisbury was thankful. 

And presently Miss Anstice, coming down in the wake of Miss Ophelia, wasput carefully into a comfortable chair on the stone veranda, where shesat pale and quiet, Miss Clemcy assiduously devoting herself to her, anddrawing up a little table to her side for her berries and cream and tea. 

"Now we will be comfortable together, " said Miss Ophelia, the maidbringing her special little pot of tea. 

"I am so mortified, my dear Miss Clemcy, " began Miss Anstice, her littlehands nervously working, "to have given way;" all of which she had saidover and over to her hostess in the chintz-covered room. "And you are sokind to overlook it so beautifully. "

"It is impossible to blame one of your delicate sensibility, " said MissOphelia; with her healthy English composure, quite in her element tohave some one to fuss over, and to make comfortable in her own way. "Now, then, I trust that tea is quite right, " handing her a cup. 

XXIV THE PIECE OF NEWS

"Pepper, you're wanted!" Dick Furness banged into Joel's room, then outagain, adding two words, "Harrow--immediately. "

"All right, " said Joel, whistling on; all his thoughts upon "MooseIsland" and the expedition there on the morrow. And he ran lightly downto the second floor, and into the under-teacher's room. 

Mr. Harrow was waiting for him; and pushing aside some books, for henever seemed to be quite free from them even for a moment, he motionedJoel to a seat. 

Joel, whose pulses were throbbing with the liveliest expectations, didn't bother his head with what otherwise might have struck him assomewhat queer in the under-teacher's manner. For the thing in hand waswhat Joel principally gave himself to. And as that clearly could benothing else than the "Moose Island expedition, " it naturally followedthat Mr. Harrow had to speak twice before he could gain his attention. 

But when it was gained, there was not the slightest possible chance ofmisunderstanding what the under-teacher was saying, for it was the habitof this instructor to come directly to the point without unnecessarycircumlocution. 

But his voice and manner were not without a touch of sadness on thisoccasion that softened the speech itself. 

"Joel, my boy, " Mr. Harrow began, "you know I have often had you downhere to urge on those lessons of yours. "

"Yes, sir, " said Joel, wondering now at the voice and manner. 

"Well, now to-day, I am instructed by the master to send for you for adifferent reason. Can you not guess?"

"No, sir, " said Joel, comfortable in the way things had been going on, and wholly unable to imagine the blow about to fall. 

"I wish you had guessed it, Joel, " said Mr. Harrow, moving uneasily inhis chair, "for then you would have made my task easier. Joel, Dr. Markssays, on account of your falling behind in your lessons, withoutreason--understand this, Joel, _without reason_--you are not to go toMoose Island to-morrow. "

Even then Joel did not comprehend. So Mr. Harrow repeated it distinctly. 

"_What!_" roared Joel. In his excitement he cleared the space betweenthem, and gained Mr. Harrow's side. "_Not go to Moose Island, Mr. Harrow_?" his black eyes widening, and his face working fearfully. 

"No, " said Mr. Harrow, drawing a long breath, "you are not to go; so Dr. Marks says. "

"But I _must_ go, " cried Joel, quite gone in passion. 

"'Must' is a singular word to use here, Joel, " observed Mr. Harrowsternly. 

"But I--oh, Mr. Harrow, do see if you can't help me to go. " Joelsquirmed all over, and even clutched the under-teacher's arm piteously. 

"Alas, Joel! it is beyond my power. " Mr. Harrow shook his head. Hedidn't think it necessary to state that he had already used everyargument he could employ to induce Dr. Marks to change his mind. "Somestrong pressure must be brought to bear upon Pepper, or he will amountto nothing but an athletic lad. He must see the value of study, " themaster had responded, and signified that the interview was ended, andhis command was to be carried out. 

"Joel, "--Mr. Harrow was speaking--"be a man, and bear this as _you_ can. You've had your chances for study, and not taken them. It is a case of_must_ now. Remember, Dr. Marks is doing this in love to you. He has gotto fit you out as well as he can in this school, to take that place inlife that your mother wants you to fill. Don't waste a moment on vainregrets, but buckle to your studies now. "

It was a long speech for the under-teacher, and he had a hard timegetting through with it. At its end, Joel, half dazed with hismisfortune, but with a feeling that as a man, Dr. Marks and Mr. Harrowhad treated him, hurried back to his room, dragged his chair up to thetable, and pushing off the untidy collection of rackets, tennis balls, boxing gloves, and other implements of his gymnasium work and hisrecreation hours, lent his whole heart with a new impulse to his task. 

Somehow he did not feel like crying, as had often been the case withprevious trials. "He said, 'Be a man, '" Joel kept repeating over andover to himself, while the words of his lesson swam before his eyes. "And so I will; and he said, Dr. Marks had got to make me as Mamsiewanted me to be, " repeated Joel to himself, taking a shorter cut withthe idea. "And so I will be. " And he leaned his elbows on the table, bent his head over his book, and clutching his stubby crop by both handsand holding on tightly, he was soon lost to his misfortune and theoutside world. 

"Hullo!" David stood still in amazement at Joel's unusual attitude overhis lesson. Then he reflected that he was making up extra work, to befree for the holiday on the morrow. Notwithstanding the need of quiet, David was so full of it that he couldn't refrain from saying jubilantly, "Oh, what a great time we'll have to-morrow, Joe!" giving him a pound onthe back. 

"I'm not going, " said Joel, without raising his head. 

David ran around his chair to look at him from the further side, thenpeered under the bunch of curls Joel was hanging to. 

"What's--what's the matter, Joe?" he gasped, clutching the table. 

"Dr. Marks says I'm not to go, " said Joel, telling the whole at once. 

"_Dr. Marks said you were not to go!_" repeated David. "Why, Joel, why?" he demanded in a gasp. 

"I haven't studied; I'm way behind. Let me alone, " cried Joel. "I've gota perfect lot to make up, " and he clutched harder than ever at his hair. 

"Then _I_ shall not go, " declared David, and rushing out of the room hewas gone before Joel could fly from his chair; which he did, upsettingit after him. 

"Dave--_Dave_!" he yelled, running out into the hall, in the face of astream of boys coming up from gymnasium practice. 

"What's up, Pepper?" But he went through their ranks like a shot. Nevertheless David was nowhere to be seen, as he had taken some shortcut, and was lost in the crowd. 

Joel bent his steps to the under-teacher's room, knocked, and in hisexcitement thought he heard, "Come in. " And with small ceremony heprecipitated himself upon Mr. Harrow, who seemed to be lost in a revery, his back to him, leaning his elbow on the mantel, and his head upon hishand. 

"Er--oh!" exclaimed Mr. Harrow, startled out of his usual composure, andturning quickly to face Joel. "Oh, it's you, Pepper!" which by no meanslifted him out of his depression. 

"Dave says he won't go without me. You must make him, " said Joel, in hisintensity forgetting his manners. 

"To Moose Island?" asked Mr. Harrow. 

Joel nodded. He couldn't yet bring himself to speak the name. 

"All right; I will, Joe. " Mr. Harrow grasped the brown hand hanging byJoel's side. 

"Really?" said Joel, swallowing hard. 

"Really. Run back to your books, and trust me. "

So Joel dashed back, not minding the alluring cries from several chums, "Come on--just time for a game before supper, " and was back before histable in the same attitude, and hanging to his hair. 

"I can study better so, " he said, and holding on for dear life. 

One or two boys glanced in. "Come out of this hole, " they cried. "Noneed to study for to-morrow. Gee whiz! just think of Moose Island, Joe. "

No answer. 

"Joe!" They ran in and shook his shoulders. "Moose Island!" theyscreamed, and the excitement with which the whole school was charged wasechoing it through the length of the dormitory. 

"Go away, " cried Joel at them, "or I'll fire something at you, " as theyswarmed around his chair. 

"Fire your old grammar, " suggested one, trying to twitch away his book;and another pulled the chair out from under him. 

Joel sprawled a moment on the floor; then he sprang up, hanging to hisbook, and faced them. "I'm not going. Clear out. " And in a moment theroom was as still as if an invasion had never taken place. In theirastonishment they forgot to utter a word. 

And in ten minutes the news was all over the playground and in all thecorridors, "Joe Pepper isn't going to Moose Island. "

If they had said that the corner stone of the dormitory was shaky, theamazement would not have been so great in some quarters; and the storywas not believed until they had it from Joe himself. Then amazementchanged to grief. Not to have Joe Pepper along, was to do away with halfthe fun. 

Percy ran up to him in the greatest excitement just before supper. "Whatis it, Joe?" he cried. "The fellows are trying to say that you're notgoing to Moose Island. " He was red with running, and panted dreadfully. "And Van is giving it to Red Hiller for telling such a whopper. "

"Well, he needn't, " said Joel, "for it's perfectly true. I'm not going. "

Percy tried to speak; but what with running, and his astonishment, histongue flapped up idly against the roof of his mouth. 

"Dr. Marks won't let me, " said Joel, not mincing matters. "I've got tostudy; so there's an end of it. " But when Davie came in, a woe begonefigure, for Mr. Harrow had kept his promise, then was Joel's hardesttime. And he clenched his brown hands to keep the tears back then, forDavid gave way to such a flood in the bitterness of his grief to gowithout Joel, that for a time, Joel was in danger of utterly losing hisown self-control. 

"I'm confounded glad. " It was Jenk who said it to his small following;and hearing it, Tom Beresford blazed at him. "If you weren't quite sosmall, I'd knock you down. "

"Well, I am glad, "--Jenk put a goodly distance between himself and Tom, notwithstanding Tom's disgust at the idea of touching him--"for Pepperis so high and mighty, it's time he was taken down, " but a chorus ofyells made him beat a retreat. 

Dr. Marks paced up and down his study floor, his head bent, his handsfolded behind him. 

"It was the only way. No ordinary course could be taken with Pepper. Ithad come to be imperative. It will make a man of him. " He stepped to thedesk and wrote a few words, slipped them into an envelope, sealed andaddressed it. 

"Joanna!" He went to the door and summoned a maid, the same one who hadshaken her broom at Joel when he rushed in with the dog. "Take this overto the North Dormitory as quickly as possible. " It seemed to beespecially necessary that haste be observed; and Dr. Marks, usually socollected, hurried to the window to assure himself that his command wasobeyed. 

Mrs. Fox took the note as Joanna handed it in, and sent it up at once, as those were the orders from the master. It arrived just at the momentwhen Joel was at the end of his self-mastery. He tore it open. "My boy, knowing you as I do, I feel sure that you will be brave in bearing this. It will help you to conquer your dislike for study and make a man ofyou. Affectionately yours, H. L. Marks. "

Joel swung the note up over his head, and there was such a glad ring tohis voice that David was too astonished to cry. 

"See there!" Joel proudly shook it at him. "Read it, Dave. "

So David seized it, and blinked in amazement. 

"Dr. Marks has written to me, " said Joel importantly, just as if Davidhadn't the note before him. "And he says, 'Be a man, ' just as Mr. Harrowsaid, and, 'affectionately yours. ' Now, what do you think of that, DavePepper?"

David was so lost in the honor that had come to Joel, that the griefthat he was feeling in the thought of the expedition to be made to MooseIsland to-morrow without Joel, began to pale. He smiled and lifted hiseyes, lately so wet with tears. "Mamsie would like that note, Joe. "

Tom Beresford rushed in without the formality of a knock, and gloomilythrew himself on the bed. "Poor Joe!" was written all over his longface. 

"Oh, you needn't, Tom, " said Joel gaily, and prancing up and down theroom, "pity me, because I won't have it. "

"It's pity for myself as well, " said Tom lugubriously, and cramming thepillow-end into his mouth. "What's a fellow to do without you, Joe?"suddenly shying the pillow at Joel. 

Joe caught it and shied it back, then twitched the master's note out ofDavid's hand. "Read it, Tom, " he cried, with sparkling eyes. 

"I'd much rather stay back with you, Joe, " Tom was saying. 

"Well, you won't, " retorted Joel. "Dave tried that on, but it was nogood. Read it, I tell you. " So Tom sat up on the bed, and spread Dr. Marks' note on his knee. 

"Great Cæsar's ghost! It's from the master himself! And what does hesay?" Tom rubbed his eyes violently, stared, and rushed over the fewsentences pellmell; then returned to take them slowly to be sure oftheir meaning. 

"Joe Pepper!" He got off from the bed. 

"Isn't it great!" cried Joel. "Give me my note, Tom. "

"I should say so!" cried Tom, bobbing his head. "I shouldn't in theleast mind being kept back from a few things, to get a note like that. Think of it, Joe, from Dr. Marks!"

"I know it, " cried Joel, in huge satisfaction. "Well, now, you must takeyourself off, Tom; I've got to study like a Trojan. " He ran to thecloset, and came back with his arms full of books. 

"All right, " said Tom, shooting out. Then he shot back, gave Joel apat--by no means a light one;--"Success to you, old fellow!" and wasoff, this time for good. 

And Davie dreamed that night that Joel took first prize in everythingstraight through; and that he himself was sailing, sailing, over aninterminable sea (going to Moose Island probably), under a ban never tocome back to Dr. Marks' school. And the first thing he knew, Joel waspounding him and calling lustily, "Get up, Dave; you know you are tostart early. "

And then all was bustle and confusion enough, as how could it be helpedwith all those boys getting off on such an expedition?

And Joel was the brightest of them all, here, there, and everywhere! Younever would have guessed that he wasn't the leading spirit in the wholeexpedition, and its bright particular star!

And he ran down to the big stone gate to see them off. And the boyswondered; but there was no chance to pity him, with such a face. Therewas only pity for themselves. 

And somebody started, "Three cheers for Joe Pepper!" It wasn't theunder-teacher, but he joined with a right good will; and the whole crowdtook it up, as Joel ran back to tackle his books, pinching Dr. Marks'letter in his pocket, to make sure it really was there!

Just about this time, Alexia Rhys was rushing to school. She was late, for everything had gone wrong that morning from the very beginning. Andof course Polly Pepper had started for school, when Alexia called forher; and feeling as if nothing mattered now, the corner was reacheddespairingly, when she heard her name called. 

It was an old lady who was a friend of her aunt's, and Alexia pausedinvoluntarily, then ran across the street to see what was wanted. 

"Oh, my dear, I suppose I ought not to stop you, for you are going toschool. "

"Oh, it doesn't matter, " said Alexia indifferently; "I'm late anyway. What is it, Miss Seymour?"

"I want to congratulate you--I _must_ congratulate you, " exclaimed oldMiss Seymour, with an excited little cackle. "I really must, Alexia. "

Alexia ran over in her mind everything for which she could, by anypossibility, be congratulated; and finding nothing, she said, "Whatfor?" quite abruptly. 

"Oh, my dear! Haven't you heard?" Old Miss Seymour put her jewelledfingers on the girl's shoulder. She had gathered up her dressy morningrobe in her hand, and hastened down her front steps at the first glimpseof Alexia across the way. 

Alexia knew of old the roundabout way pursued by her aunt's friend inher narrations. Besides, she cared very little anyway for this bit ofold women's gossip. So she said carelessly, "No, I'm sure I haven't; andI don't believe it's much anyway, Miss Seymour. "

"'Much anyway?' oh, my dear!" Old Miss Seymour held up both hands. "Well, what would you say if you should be told that your teacher wasgoing to be married?"

Alexia staggered backward and put up both hands. "Oh, don't, MissSeymour, " she cried, the fears she had been lighting so many weeks nowcome true. Then she burst out passionately, "Oh, it isn't true--it_can't_ be!"

"Well, but it is, " cried Miss Seymour positively. "I had it not tenminutes since from a very intimate friend; and as you were the firstSalisbury girl I saw, why, I wanted to congratulate you, of course, assoon as I could. "

"Salisbury girl!" Alexia groaned as she thought how they should neverhave that title applied to them any more; for of course the beautifulschool was doomed. "And where shall we all go?" she cried to herself indespair. 

"Oh, how could she go and get engaged!" she exclaimed aloud. 

"You haven't asked who the man is, " said Miss Seymour in surprise. 

"Oh, I know--I know, " said Alexia miserably; "it's Mr. John Clemcy. Oh, if we hadn't had that old picnic!" she burst out. 

"Eh--what?" exclaimed the little old lady quickly. 

"Never mind. It doesn't signify who the man is. It doesn't signify aboutanything, " said Alexia wildly, "as long as Miss Salisbury is going toget married and give up our school. "

"Oh, I don't suppose the school will be given up, " said Miss Seymour. 

"What? Why, of course it will be. How can she keep it after she ismarried?" cried Alexia impatiently. She longed to say, "you goose you!"

"Why, I suppose the other one will keep it, of course; and it will go onjust the same as it did before. "

"Oh dear me! The idea of Miss Anstice keeping that school!" With all hermisery, Alexia couldn't help bursting into a laugh. 

"Miss Anstice?"

"Yes; if you knew her as we girls do, Miss Seymour, you never'd say shecould run that school. "

"I never said she could. "

"Oh, yes, you did, " Alexia was guilty of contradicting. "You saiddistinctly that when Miss Salisbury was married, you supposed MissAnstice would keep it on just the same. "

Little old Miss Seymour took three or four steps down the pavement, thenturned and trotted back, the dressy morning robe still gathered in herhand. 

"Who do you think is engaged to Mr. John Clemcy?" she asked, looking upat the tall girl. 

"Why, our Miss Salisbury, " answered Alexia, ready to cry, "I suppose. That's what you said. "

"Oh, no, I didn't, " said the little old lady. "It's Miss AnsticeSalisbury. "

Alexia gave her one look; then took some flying steps across the street, and away down to the Salisbury School. She met a stream of girls in thefront hall; and as soon as she saw their faces, she knew that her newswas all old. 

And they could tell her something more. 

"Miss Wilcox is going to be the assistant teacher, " cried Amy Garrett. 

"And Miss Salisbury announced it; why were you late, Alexia?" it was aperfect buzz around her ears. "And then she dismissed school; and we'reall going down to the drawing-room now, to congratulate Miss Anstice. "

Alexia worked her way to Polly Pepper and clung to her. 

"Oh, Alexia, you've got here!" cried Polly delightedly. "And only think, we can keep our Miss Salisbury after all. "

XXV "THE VERY PRETTIEST AFFAIR"

And Mr. John Clemcy, having put off any inclination to marry till solate in life, was, now that he had made his choice, in a ferment tohurry its consummation. And Miss Ophelia, who was still to keep thehouse and run the old-fashioned flower garden to suit herself--thuslosing none of her honors--and being in her element, as has been stated, with some one "to fuss over" (her self-contained brother not yieldingher sufficient occupation in that line), begged that the wedding mighttake place soon. So there was really no reason on earth why it shouldnot be celebrated, and Miss Wilcox be installed as assistant, and thusall things be in running order for the new year at the Salisbury School. 

"And they say he has heaps of money--Mr. Clemcy has, " cried Alexia, inthe midst of the excitement of the next few days, when everybody wastrying to adjust themselves to this new condition of affairs. A lot ofthe girls were up in Polly Pepper's room. "And it's an awful old familyback of him in England, " she went on, "though for my part, I'd ratherhave something to do with making my name myself. "

"Oh, Alexia, " cried Clem, "think of all those perfectly elegant oldfamily portraits!"

"Mouldy old things!" exclaimed Alexia, who had small reverence for suchthings. "I should be ashamed of them, if I were Mr. John Clemcy and hissister. They don't look as if they knew anything to begin with; and sucharms and hands, and impossible necks! Oh my! It quite gives me a turn tolook at them. "

"We are quite distinguished--the Salisbury School is, " said Silvia, withan elegant manner, and a toss of her head. "My mother says it will besplendid capital to Miss Salisbury to have such a connection. "

"And, oh, just think of Miss Anstice's engagement ring!" exclaimedanother girl. "Oh my, on her little thin finger!"

"It's awful old-fashioned, " cried Silvia, "set in silver. But then, it'sbig, and a _very_ pure stone, my mother says; and quite shows that thefamily must have been something, for it is an heirloom. "

"Oh, do stop about family and heirlooms, " cried Alexia impatiently; "themain thing is that our Miss Salisbury isn't going to desert us. "

"Miss Anstice is; oh, goody!" Amy Garrett hopped up and down and softlybeat her hands while she finished the sentence. 

"Hush!" Alexia turned on her suddenly. "Now, Amy, and the rest of yougirls, I think we ought to stop this nonsense about Miss Anstice; she'sgoing, and I, maybe, haven't treated her just rightly. "

"Of course you haven't, " assented Clem coolly. "You've worried her lifenearly out of her. "

"And oh, dear me! I'm sorry now, "--said Alexia, not minding in the leastwhat Clem was saying. "I wonder why it is that I'm forever being sorryabout things. "

"Because you're forever having your own way, " said Clem; "I'll tellyou. "

"And so I'm going to be nice to her now, " said Alexia, with a perfectlycomposed glance at Clem. "Let's all be, girls. I mean, behind her back. "

Polly Pepper ran over across the room to slip her arm within Alexia's, and give her a little approving pat. 

"It will be so strange not to make fun of her, " observed Amy Garrett, "but I suppose we can't now, anyway, that she is to be Mrs. JohnClemcy. "

"Mrs. John Clemcy, indeed!" exclaimed Alexia, standing very tall. "Shewas just as nice before, as sister of our Miss Salisbury, I'd have youto know, girls. "

"Well, now what are we to give her as a wedding present?" said PollyPepper. "You know we, as the committee, ought to talk it over at once. Let's sit down on the floor in a ring and begin. "

"Yes, " said Alexia; "now all flop. " And setting the example, she gotdown on the floor; and the girls tumbling after, the ring was soonformed. 

"Hush now, do be quiet, Clem, if you can, " cried Alexia, to pay up oldscores. 

"I guess I'm not making as much noise as some other people, " said Clem, with a wry face. 

"Well, Polly's going to begin; and as she's chairman, we've all got tobe still as mice. Hush!"

"I think, " said Polly, "the best way would be, instead of wasting somuch time in talking, and--"

"Getting into a hubbub, " interpolated Alexia. 

"Who's talking now, " cried Clem triumphantly, "and making a noise?"

"Getting in confusion, " finished Polly, "would be, for us each to writeout the things that Miss Anstice might like, on a piece of paper, without showing it to any of the other girls; then pass them in to me, and I'll read them aloud. And perhaps we'll choose something out of allthe lists. "

"Oh, Polly, how fine!--just the thing. "

"I'll get the paper. "

"And the pencils. " The ring was in a hubbub; Alexia, as usual, the firstto hop out of her place. 

"Sit down, girls, " said Polly as chairman. So they all flew back again. 

"There, you see now, " said Alexia, huddling expeditiously into her placenext to Polly, "how no one can stir till the chairman tells us to. "

"Who jumped first of all?" exclaimed Clem, bursting into a laugh. 

"Well, I'm back again, anyhow, " said Alexia coolly, and folding herhands in her lap. 

"I'll appoint Lucy Bennett and Silvia Horne to get the paper andpencils, " said Polly. "They are on my desk, girls. "

Alexia smothered the sigh at her failure to be one of the girls toperform this delightful task; but the paper being brought, she soonforgot her disappointment, in having something to do. 

"We must all tear it up into strips, " said the chairman, and, beginningon a sheet, "Lucy, you can be giving around the pencils. "

And presently the whole committee was racking its brains over thisterribly important question thrust upon them. 

"It must be something that will always reflect credit on the SalisburySchool, " observed Alexia, leaning her chin on her hand while she playedwith her pencil. 

"Ugh! do be still. " Lucy, on the other side, nudged her. "I can't think, if anybody speaks a word. "

"And fit in well with those old portraits, " said Clem, with a look atAlexia. 

"Well, I hope and pray that we won't give her anything old. I want itspick, span, new; and to be absolutely up-to-date. " Alexia took her chinout of her hand, and sat up decidedly. "The idea of matching up thosemouldy old portraits!--and that house just bursting with antiques. "

"Ugh! do hush, " cried the girls. 

"And write what you want to, Alexia, on your own slip, and keep still, "said Silvia, wrinkling her brows; "you just put something out of myhead; and it was perfectly splendid. "

"But I can't think of a thing that would be good enough, " grumbledAlexia, "for the Salisbury School to give. Oh dear me!" and she regardedenviously the other pencils scribbling away. 

"My list is done. " Amy Garrett pinched hers into a little three-cornerednote, and threw it into Polly's lap. 

"And mine--and mine. " They all came in fast in a small white shower. 

"Oh my goodness!" exclaimed Alexia, much alarmed that she would be leftout altogether. "Wait, Chairman--I mean, Polly, " and she beganscribbling away for dear life. 

"Oh dear me!" The chairman unfolded the first strip, and began to read. "A piano--why, girls, Miss Anstice can't play. "

"Well, it would look nice in that great big drawing-room, " said Clem, letting herself out with a very red face. 

"Oh, my! you wrote _a piano_!" Alexia went over backward suddenly tolie flat on the floor and laugh. "Besides, there is one in that house. "

"An old thing!" exclaimed Clem in disdain. 

"Well, let's see; here's something nice"--Polly ran along the list--"ahandsome chair, a desk, a cabinet. Those are fine!"

"Clem has gone into the furniture business, I should think, " saidPhilena. 

"And a cabinet!" exclaimed Amy Garrett, "when that house is just full of'em. "

"Oh, I mean a jewel cabinet, or something of that sort, " explained Clemhastily. 

"That's not bad, " announced Silvia, "for I suppose he'll give her allthe rest of those heirlooms; great strings of pearls probably he's got, and everything else. Dear me, don't I wish we girls could see them!" andshe lost herself in admiration over the fabulous Clemcy jewels. 

"Well, Chairman--Polly, I mean"--Alexia flew into position--"what's thenext list?"

"This is quite different, " said Polly, unrolling it; "some handsomelace, a fan, a lorgnette, a bracelet. "

"It's easy enough to see that's Silvia's, " said Alexia--"all that fineryand furbelows. "

"Well, it's not fair to tell what you think and guess, " said Silvia, apink spot coming on either check. 

"'Twouldn't make any difference, my guessing; we all know it's yours, Silvia, " said Alexia, coolly. 

"Well, I think that's a lovely list, " said Amy, with sparkling eyes, "and I for one would be willing to vote for any of those things. "

"My mother says we better give her something to wear, " said Silvia, smoothing down her gown. "Miss Anstice likes nice things; and that greatbig house is running over with everything to furnish with. "

Polly was reading the third list, so somebody pulled Alexia's arm andstopped her. "A watch and chain--that's all there is on this list, "announced Polly. 

"Oh!"--there was a chorus of voices--"that's it--that's it!" and "Whydidn't I think of that?" until the whole ring was in a tumult again. 

It was no matter what was on the other lists. The chairman read themover faithfully, but the items fell upon dull ears. They might makesuitable tributes for other brides; there was but one mind about thepresent for this particular bride going forth from the SalisburySchool. The watch and chain was the only gift to be thought of. 

"And she wears that great big old-fashioned thing, " declared Silvia;"looks like a turnip--oh, oh!"

"And I do believe that's always made her so impressive and scareywhenever she got into that black silk gown, " said Amy Garrett. "I neverthought of it before; but it was that horrible old watch and chain. "

"Girls, " said the chairman, "I do really believe that it would be thevery best thing that we could possibly give her. And now I'm going totell who it was who chose it. "

"Do--oh, do!" The whole ring came together in a bunch, as the girls allcrowded around Polly. 

"Alexia!" Then Polly turned and gave a loving little pat on the longback. 

"Don't, " said Alexia, shrinking away from the shower of congratulationson having made the best choice, and thought of the very thing that waslikely to unite the whole school on a gift. "It's nothing. I couldn'thelp but write it. It was the only thing I thought of. "

"Well; it was just as clever in you as could be, so there now!" Clemnodded over at her, and buried all animosity at once. 

"And think how nice it will be, when it's all engraved inside the casewith what we want to say, " said Polly, with shining eyes. 

"And a great big monogram outside, " said Silvia, with enthusiasm, "andone of those twisted chains--oh, how fine!" She shook out her silverbracelets till they jingled all her enthusiasm; and the entire committeejoining, the vote was taken to propose to the rest of the "Salisburygirls, " on the morrow, the gift of a watch and chain to the future Mrs. John Clemcy. 

And the watch and chain was unanimously chosen by the "Salisbury girls"as the gift of all gifts they wanted to bestow upon their teacher on herwedding day; and they all insisted that Polly Pepper should write theinscription; so there it was, engraved beautifully on the inner side ofthe case: "Anstice Salisbury, with the loving regard of her pupils. " Andthere was a beautiful big monogram on the outside; and the long chainwas double and twisted, and so handsome that Silvia's mother protestedshe hadn't a word to say but the very highest praise!

Oh, and the presentation of it came about quite differently from whatwas expected, after all. For the gift was to be sent with a little note, representing the whole school, and written, as was quite proper, byPolly Pepper, the chairman of the committee. But Miss Salisbury, to whomthe precious parcel had been intrusted, said suddenly, "Why don't yougive it to her yourselves, girls?"

It was, of course, the place of the chairman of the committee to speak. So Polly said, "Oh, would she like to have us, Miss Salisbury?"

"Yes, my dears. I know she would. She feels badly to go and leave youall, you know, " and there were tears in the blue eyes that always lookedso kindly on them. "And it would be a very lovely thing for you to do, if you would like to. "

"We should _love_ to do it, " cried Polly warmly. "May we go now, dearMiss Salisbury?"

"Yes, " said Miss Salisbury, very much pleased; "she is in the redparlor. "

So the committee filed into the red parlor. There sat Miss Anstice, and--oh dear me!--Mr. John Clemcy!

There was no time to retreat; for Miss Salisbury, not having heard Mr. Clemcy come in, was at the rear of the procession of girls. "Here, mydears--Anstice, the girls particularly want to see you--oh!" and thenshe saw Mr. John Clemcy. 

Miss Anstice, who seemed to have dropped all her nervousness lately, saved the situation by coming forward and greeting them warmly; and whenMr. John Clemcy saw how it was, he went gallantly to the rescue, and wasso easy and genial, and matter-of-course, that the committee presentlyfelt as if a good part of their lives had been passed in makingpresentations, and that they were quite up to that sort of thing. 

And Polly made a neat little speech as she handed her the packet; andMiss Anstice's eyes filled with tears of genuine regret at leaving them, and of delight at the gift. 

"Girls, do you know"--could it be Miss Anstice who was talking with somuch feeling in her voice?--"I used to imagine that you didn't love me. "

"Oh, that could never be!" cried Mr. Clemcy. 

"And I got so worried and cross over it. But now I know you did, andthat I was simply tired; for I never could teach like sister, "--shecast her a loving glance--"and I didn't really love my work. And, do youknow, the thing I've longed for all my life was a watch and chain likethis? Oh girls, I shall love it always!"

She threw the chain around her neck; and laid the little watch gentlyagainst her cheek. 

"Oh!" It was Alexia who pressed forward. "You'll forgive us all, won'tyou, Miss Anstice, if we didn't love you enough?"

"When I want to forgive, I'll look at my dear watch, " said Miss Ansticebrightly, and smiling on them all. 

"'Twas that horrible old black silk gown that made her so, " exclaimedAlexia, as they all tumbled off down the hall in the greatestexcitement. "You see how sweet she is now, in that white one. "

"And the red rose in her belt, " said Clem. 

"And her diamond ring, " added Silvia. 

"And we're different, too, " said Clem. "Maybe we wouldn't love to teacha lot of girls any better either, if we had to. "

"Well, and now there's the wedding!" exclaimed Amy Garrett, clasping herhands, "oh!"

"What richness!" finished Alexia. 

And everybody said it was "the very prettiest affair; and sopicturesque!" "And those dear Salisbury girls--how sweet they looked, tobe sure!" Why, St. John's blossomed out like a veritable garden, justwith that blooming company of girls; to say nothing of the exquisiteflowers, and ropes of laurel, and palms, and the broad white satinribbons to divide the favored ones from the mere acquaintances. 

"And what a lovely thought to get those boys from the Pemberton Schoolfor ushers, with Jasper King as their leader!"

They all made such a bright, youthful picture, to be followed by thechosen eight of the "Salisbury girls, " the very committee who presentedthe gift to the bride-elect. There they were in their simple white gownsand big white hats. 

And then came the little assistant teacher of the Salisbury School, inher pearl gray robe; singularly enough, not half so much embarrassed asshe had often been in walking down the long schoolroom before the girls. 

And Mr. John Clemcy never thought of such a thing as embarrassment atall; but stood up in his straightforward, manly, English composure, totake his vows that bound him to the little school-teacher. And MissSalisbury, fairly resplendent in her black velvet gown, had down deepwithin her heart a childlike satisfaction in it all. "Dear Anstice washappy, " and somehow the outlook for the future, with Miss Wilcox forassistant teacher, was restful for one whose heart and soul were boundup in her pupils' advancement. 

Miss Ophelia Clemcy blossomed out from her retirement, and became quitevoluble, in the front pew before the wedding procession arrived. 

"You see, it was foreordained to be, " she announced, as she had beforedeclared several times to the principal of the Salisbury School. "Thefirst moment he saw her, Brother John was fully convinced that here wasa creature of the greatest sensibility, and altogether charming. And, mydear Miss Salisbury, I am only commonplace and practical, you know; soit is all as it should be, and suits me perfectly. And we will alwayskeep the anniversary of that picnic, that blessed day, won't we?"

And old Mr. King invited the eight ushers from the Pemberton School andthe committee from the Salisbury School to a little supper to top offthe wedding festivities. And Grandpapa sat at the head of the table, with Mother Fisher at the other end, and Dr. Fisher and Mrs. Whitneyopposite in the centre. And there were wedding toasts and littlespeeches; and everybody got very jolly and festive. And the littledoctor looked down to the table end where he could see his wife's eyes. "It reminds me very much of our own wedding day, wife, " his glance said. And she smiled back in such a way as to fill him with great content. 

"And wasn't that reception in the school parlors too perfectly beautifulfor anything!" cried Polly Pepper, in a lull, for about the fiftiethtime the remark had been made. 

"Yes, and didn't Alexia make an awful blunder with her paper of rice!"said Clem sweetly. 

"I can't help it, " said Alexia, nowise disturbed; "the old paper burst, and I had to put it in my handkerchief. You couldn't expect me, girls, to keep my wits after that. "

"Well, you needn't have spilt it all over Miss Anstice's bonnet, " saidPhilena, laughing. 

"Mrs. Clemcy's, you mean, " corrected Jasper. 

"Oh dear me! I never shall get used to her new name, " declared Philena. 

"And I think I got my rice deposited as well as some of the rest of yougirls, " declared Alexia airily. 

"Mine struck Mr. Clemcy full in the eye, " said Silvia; "then I duckedbehind Polly Pepper. "

"Oh, that was a great way to do!" exclaimed Jasper. 

"Oh, I saw her, " said Polly, with a little laugh, "and I jumped away;and Mr. Clemcy saw her, too. "

"Horrors!" cried Silvia. "Did he? Oh, I'm frightened to death! What didhe look like, Polly?"

"Oh, he laughed, " said Polly. 

Just then came a ring at the doorbell, sharp and sudden. 

"What is going to happen?" cried Polly, her face like a rose. "Everything has been beautiful to-day; and now I just know somethingperfectly lovely is coming to finish off with. "

"A telegram, sir. " Johnson held out a long yellow envelope to Mr. King. 

"It's for Mrs. Fisher, " said the old gentleman. 

So the yellow envelope went down the table-length, the color going outof Polly's cheek; and she didn't dare to look at Mamsie's eyes. 

"Oh--the boys!" gasped Polly. "Jasper, do you suppose?"--What, shedidn't finish; for Mother Fisher just then cried out, and passed theyellow sheet to the little doctor. "Read it aloud, " was all she said. But how her black eyes shone!

"David took first prize classics. I'm picking up a bit. JOEL PEPPER. "

THE END. 

[Transcriber's Note: Page 115, last paragraph, added the word "it". 

"and bring up to my house" "and bring it up to my house"]