Five Little Peppers Midway

by Margaret Sidney

  XXIII

  OF MANY THINGS

  Van threw his arms around Joel. "Make quick work, Thomas," called Mr.King from his doorway. The pistol fell from Thomas's hand. "I've shotone of the boys. Och, murther!" he screamed.

  And everybody rushing up supposed it was Van, who was writhing andscreaming unintelligibly in the corner.

  "Oh! I've killed him," they finally made out.

  "Who--who? Oh, Van! who?"

  "Joey," screamed Van, bending over a white heap on the floor. "Oh! makehim get up. Oh! I've killed him."

  The mask was hanging by one end from his white face, and his eyesprotruded wildly. Up flew another figure adorned with a second blackmask.

  "No, no, it was I," and Percy rushed forward with an "Oh, Joel, Joel!"

  Somebody lighted the gas, that flashed suddenly over the terrifiedgroup, and somebody else lifted the heap from the corner. And as theydid so, Joel stirred and opened his eyes.

  "Don't make such a fuss," he said crossly. One hand had gripped thesleeve of his night-dress, trying to hold it up in a little wad on theshoulder, the blood pouring down the arm. At sight of this, Vancollapsed and slid to the floor.

  "Don't frighten Mamsie," said Joel, his head drooping, despite hisefforts to hold it up. "I'm all right; nothing but a scratch. Ugh! letme be, will you?" to Mr. Whitney and Jasper, who were trying to supporthim.

  And Mother Fisher, for the first time since the children had known her,lost her self-control.

  "Oh, Joey! and mother was cross to you," she could only sob as shereached him.

  Polly, at a nod from the little doctor's night-cap and a few hurriedwords, ran as in a dream for the case of instruments in his bedroom.

  "All right, Mamsie!" exclaimed Joel in surprise, and trying to staggerto his feet.

  "Good heavens and earth!" cried old Mr. King, approaching. "What? oh!it's monstrous--Joel!"

  "Och, murther!" Thomas sidled along the edge of the group, rollingfearful eyes at them, and repeating over and over, "I've shot thatboy--that boy!"

  All this occupied but an instant, and Joel was laid on his bed, and thewound which proved to be only a flesh one, the ball cutting a littlefurrow as it grazed the shoulder, was dressed, and everybody drew along breath. "Tell Van that I'm all right," Joel kept saying all thetime.

  Polly undertook to do this.

  "Van--Van!" she cried, running out into the hall to lay a shaking handon his arm, where he lay on the floor. "Joel sent me to say that he isall right."

  "Polly, I've killed him!" Van thrust his head up suddenly and looked ather, with wild eyes. "I have--don't speak to me, or look at me. I'vekilled Joel!"

  "Take off this dreadful thing," said Polly with a shiver, and kneelingdown, she seized the strings that tied the mask. "O dear! it's all in aknot. Wait, I'll get the scissors," and she found her feet, and ran offto her room.

  "Now you are all right;" he gave a little sob as the mask tumbled off."Oh! how could you?" she wanted to say, but Van's distress was toodreadful for anything but comfort.

  "Don't you see," said Polly, sitting down on the floor and cuddling uphis head in her lap, "that Joel is really all right now? Suppose wehadn't a Father Fisher who was a doctor, what should we do then?" andshe even managed a faint laugh.

  "O dear! but I've killed Joel." Van covered his face with the folds ofher flannel dress and wailed on.

  "Now, just see here, Van Whitney," said Polly, with the air ofauthority, "I tell you that Joel is all right now. Don't you say thatagain--not once more, Vanny."

  "But I have ki--I mean I saw Thomas shoot, and I couldn't stop him,"and Van writhed fearfully, ending with a scream "I've ki"--but Polly,clapping her hand over his mouth, kept the words back.

  Meanwhile Percy had rushed out of the house.

  "Oh!" cried Polly, when this new alarm sprang up, and everybody wasrunning hither and thither to comfort him by the assurance that Joelwas not much hurt, "do, Uncle Mason and Jasper, let me go with you."

  "No, no, you stay here, Polly," cried Jasper, throwing wide the heavyfront door. "Brother Mason and I will find him. Don't worry, Polly."

  "I know I could help," said Polly, hanging over the stair-railing. "Oh!do let me," she begged.

  "No, no, child," said Mr. Whitney, quickly. "Stay where you are, andtake care of the others. Now, then, Jasper, is Jencks ready with thelantern?"

  "All right," said Jasper. "Come on."

  Polly, longing to fly to the window to watch, at least, the lantern'stwinkling light across the lawn, hurried off to comfort Aunt Whitney,who at this new stage in the affairs, was walking her room, biting herlips to keep from screaming the terror that clutched at her heart.

  "Oh, Polly!" she cried, "I'm so glad you've come. I should die if leftalone here much longer;" her soft hair floated down the white robe, andthe blue eyes were filled with tears. "Do tell me, don't you think theywill find Percy?"

  "Yes, indeed!" declared Polly, cuddling up to the little woman. "Oh,Auntie! remember when Dicky's leg was broken."

  "But this is much worse," said Mrs. Whitney, sobbing, and holding closeto Polly's warm hand.

  "But we thought he was dead," and Polly gave a little shiver.

  "Don't--don't," begged Mrs. Whitney, clasping her hands; "Oh, Polly!don't."

  "But he wasn't, you see, Auntie," Polly hurried on, "and so now youknow it will come out all right about Per--There! Oh! they've foundhim!" as a shout from the lawn rang out.

  "Do you suppose it, Polly?" cried Mrs. Whitney, breathlessly. "Oh! dorun to the window and see!"

  So Polly ran to the window in the next room that overlooked that partof the lawn where Mr. Whitney and Jasper were searching, and strainedher gaze up and down, and in every direction.

  "Have they? oh! have they?" cried Mrs. Whitney. "Oh, Polly! do tell me."

  "I don't see any of them," said Polly, listening eagerly for anothercry, "but I do believe they've found him."

  "Do come back," implored Mrs. Whitney; "there, now, don't go again,Polly," as Polly hurried to her side, "but just hold my hand."

  "I will," said Polly, "just as tight as I can, Auntie."

  "Oh--oh! Percy is so much worse off than Joel," wailed Mrs. Whitney."Oh! to do such a thing, Polly!" she groaned.

  "They only meant it in fun," said Polly, swallowing hard the lump inher throat, "don't let us talk about it, Auntie."

  "And Van," cried Mrs. Whitney, running on. "Oh! my poor, poor boys.Will your mother ever forgive me, Polly?"

  "Oh, Auntie! don't talk so," said Polly tenderly; "and we both ought tobe out helping. There's Van, Auntie; just think how he feels."

  "I can't go near him," cried Mrs. Whitney in distress, "as long as heis in Joel's room, for I can see your mother's eyes, Polly. It wouldkill me to have her look at me."

  The door opened at this, and the trail of a long silken wrapper washeard on the floor.

  "Mrs. Chatterton," said Mrs. Whitney, raising her head and looking atthe new-comer with as much anger as her gentle face could contain, "Ireally cannot see you in my room to-night. Excuse me, but I am unstrungby all that has occurred. Will you please not come in"--

  "I thought I might sit with you," said Mrs. Chatterton. In the briefinterval since the arousing of the household, she had contrived to makea perfect breakfast toilet, and she folded her hands over her handsomegown. "Polly might then be with her mother. But if you don't wish me toremain, I will go."

  "I do not need you," said Mrs. Whitney, decidedly, and she turned toPolly again.

  Mrs. Chatterton moved away, and closed the door after her.

  "Auntie," said Polly, "she really wants to help you."

  "Polly, you needn't say anything about it," exclaimed Mrs. Whitney,like many other gentle creatures, when roused, becoming unreasonablyprejudiced; "I cannot bear the sight of that woman. She has been hereso long, and is so intensely disagreeable to us all."

  Polly's eyes became very round, and she held her breath in astonishment.

  "Don't look so, chil
d," said Mrs. Whitney at length, "you don'tunderstand, my dear. But you would if you were in my place"--

  "She's sorry for it," said Polly, finding her tongue at last.

  "And father is nearly worn out with her," continued Mrs. Whitney. "Andnow to come parading her attentions upon me, it"--

  "Who--who?" Dicky, now that the excitement in Joel's room had dieddown, had lost his relish for it, and he now pranced into Mrs.Whitney's room. "Who, mamma?"

  "Mrs. Chatterton," said Mrs. Whitney unguardedly. "She has disagreeablyintruded herself upon me."

  "Has she been in here?" asked Dick in astonishment.

  "Yes; asking if she can sit with me," and Polly started at the look inthe usually soft blue eyes.

  "And you wouldn't let her?" asked Dick, stopping short and regardinghis mother curiously.

  "Of course not, Dicky," she made haste to say.

  "Then I think you did very wrong," declared Dick flatly.

  "Oh, Dick!" exclaimed Polly in consternation.

  "And you don't act like my mother at all," said Dick, standing quitestiffly on his sturdy legs, and gazing at her with disapprobation."Didn't Mrs. Chatterton save my life," he exploded, "when the realburglar was going for me? Say, didn't she?" he cried.

  "I have yet to find out that is the truth," said Mrs. Whitney, findingher voice. "Oh, Dicky," she added, hurt that he should defend another,worst of all, Mrs. Chatterton, "don't talk about her."

  "But I ought to talk about her," persisted Dick. "She saved me as muchas she could. Because she won't let anybody thank her, I like her moremyself. I'm going to stay with her."

  With that, he held his head high, and marched to the door.

  "Dick, Dick!" called his mother, "come back, dear."

  Dick slowly turned and made his way to her side, but he still regardedher with disapproval.

  "Dick, I want you to go to Mrs. Chatterton's room, and say that I amsorry I refused her offer to help, and that I would like to have hersit with me. Remember, say I am sorry I refused her offer to help,Dicky." She leaned forward and kissed her boy, her long, soft hairfalling like a veil around the two faces.

  Dick threw his arms around her neck.

  "Now, you're a brick!" he declared impulsively. "I'll bring the oldlady, and we'll both sit with you."

  So Polly was free to run back to Mamsie. On the way there she openedthe door of Phronsie's little room, just out of Father and MotherFisher's.

  "How good it is that she sleeps through it all," said Polly, listeningto the regular breathing. Then she stole across the room and stoodbeside the small bed.

  "She looks just as she did the night she took her new shoes to bed,"thought Polly; "one hand is over her head, exactly as it was then. Oh,Phronsie! to think that you're to have no party to-morrow," and sheturned off with a sigh, went out, and closed the door.

  "Percy's here--all right!" cried Jasper, running over the stairs tomeet her at the top.

  His eyes were gleaming with excitement, and his face was torn andbleeding.

  "Are you hurt?" cried Polly, feeling as if the whole family were boundto destruction. "Oh, Jasper! did you fall?"

  "Nothing but a scratch. I was fool enough to forget the ledge, andwalked off for my pains"--

  "Oh, Jasper!" cried Polly, with paling cheeks, "let me bathe it foryou, do;" her strength began to return at the thought of action, andshe sprang for a basin of water.

  "Nonsense. No, Polly!" cried Jasper, with a quick hand detaining her,"it's nothing but a mere scratch, I tell you, but I suppose it looksterribly. I'll go and wash it off. Run and tell his mother that Percyis found."

  "Is he all right?" asked Polly fearfully, holding her breath for theanswer.

  "Sound as a nut," declared Jasper; "we found him streaking it down thelocust path; he said he was going to run off to sea."

  "Run off to sea!" repeated Polly. "Oh, Jasper!"

  "Well, he was so frightened, of course he didn't know what to say,"replied Jasper. "And ashamed, too. He didn't care to show his head athome. I don't know as I blame him, Polly. Well, it's too bad aboutPhronsie's party, isn't it?" added Jasper, mopping up his face as thetwo went down the hall.

  "Yes," said Polly with a sigh, stopping at Mrs. Whitney's door, "but,oh! think how happy we are now that Percy is safe, Jasper."

  "Still, it's too bad for Phronsie," repeated Jasper, looking back.

  But Joel flatly declared that the first one that even so much as hintedthat a single item of the arrangements for Phronsie's getting-wellparty should be changed, he'd make it disagreeable as only he knew how,for that one when he got up from his bed. "Yes, sir!" and he scolded,and fretted, and fussed, and laid down the law so generally to all, notexcepting the doctor, that at last it was decided to let the party goon. Then he lay back against the pillows quite exhausted, but with abeatific face.

  "I should think you would be tired, Joe," exclaimed Jasper, "you'vebullied us so. Dear me! people ought to be angelic when they're sick,at least."

  "If you'd had him to take care of as I did," observed Dr. Fisher,"you'd know better; goodness me! the little brown house scarcely heldhim when he was getting over the measles."

  "What's the use of being sick," said Joel reflectively, turning on hispillow, "if you can't make people stand around, I'd like to know. Nowthat point's settled about Phronsie's party, won't you all go out? I'dlike to speak to Father Fisher a moment."

  "You don't mean me, Joey?" said Mother Fisher at the head of the bed,holding her boy's hand.

  "Yes; you, too, Mamsie," said Joel, giving her an affectionate glance,"it's something that only the doctor and I are to know."

  "You're not hurt anywhere else, are you, Joey?" asked his mother, asudden alarm leaping to her black eyes.

  "Not a scratch," said Joel promptly. "I want to see Father Fisher aboutsomething. Sometime you shall know, Mamsie." He gave her hand a suddenpressure, then let it go.

  "Perhaps you would better step out, my dear," said the little doctor,nodding to his wife. So Mrs. Fisher, smothering a sigh, went outreluctantly.

  "All out?" asked Joel, trying to raise his head to see for himself.

  "Every soul," said Dr. Fisher.

  "Well, see here, will you," said Joel, pointing to the table, theschoolbooks scattered as he had left them, "pack those things all awayin the closet on the shelf, you know, and put the rubbish on the floorthere, back on the table?"

  Dr. Fisher could not for his life, refrain from asking curiously, as hedid as requested, "Been having a pull at the books, eh, Joe?"

  "Um--um--maybe," said Joel, twisting uneasily. "Well, now, come here,please, Father Fisher."

  The little man turned away from the table, with its sprawling array ofdelightful things, to stand by the bedside.

  "You must get me well as soon as you can," said Joel confidentially.

  "All right; I understand," Dr. Fisher nodded professionally.

  "And whatever you say, don't let it be that I must be careful of myeyes," said Joel.

  "All right; that is, if you get up quickly," agreed the doctor.

  "That's all," said Joel in great satisfaction. "Now, call Mamsie in andthe others."

  And in the morning, no one told Phronsie what had happened the nightbefore. She only knew that Joel was not very well, and was going tokeep his room; all her pleadings to do something for him being set oneside by Grandpapa's demands upon her instant attention whenever theidea suggested itself to her. And so the time wore along till the partybegan.

  Alexia was the first to arrive, her bowl of orange jelly in her hand,and after her, a tall slight figure jumped from the carriage, herflaxen hair streaming out in two pale braids.

  "I thought I'd pick Cathie up," said Alexia carelessly; "had to passher door, you know. O dear me, what perfectly dreadful times you hadlast night, Polly Pepper."

  "I didn't bring macaroons," said Cathie, "as I really think that theywouldn't be good for Phronsie. Besides, I've forgotten how to makethem, and our cook was cross and said I shouldn't com
e into herkitchen. But I bought a doll for Phronsie; my mother said it would be agreat deal more sensible present," and she hugged the long box underher arm with great satisfaction.

  "O dear! dear!" groaned Alexia, falling back with Polly as the threeraced along the hall, "she showed it to me in the carriage, and it's aperfect guy, besides counting one more."

  But afflictions like this were small to Polly now, and although for thenext hour it rained dolls into Phronsie's puzzled hands, Polly helpedher to thank the givers and to dispose them safely on neighboringchairs and tables and sofas.

  Mrs. Chatterton's was the pattern of old Mr. King's phonograph doll, atwhich discovery he turned upon her with venom in his eye.

  "My gift to my little granddaughter," taking especial care to emphasizethe relationship, "has always been a doll, I suppose you knew that,Cousin Eunice; and to try to procure one exactly like the one I havepurchased, is very presuming in you, to say the least."

  "And why may I not present a doll to Phronsie Pepper, if I care to,pray tell?" demanded Mrs. Chatterton in a high, cold tone.

  "Why? because you have always showed a marked dislike for the child,"cried old Mr. King angrily, "that's why, Cousin Eunice."

  "Grandpapa--Grandpapa," said Phronsie, laying her hand on his arm.

  "And to parade any special affection, such as the presentation of agift indicates, is a piece of presumption on your part, I say it again,Cousin Eunice."

  "Grandpapa!" said Phronsie again at his elbow.

  "Now, Phronsie," turning to her, "you are to take that doll," pointingto a gorgeous affair reposing on the sofa, with Mrs. AlgernonChatterton's card attached to it, "and go over to Mrs. Chatterton, andsay, very distinctly, 'I cannot accept this gift;' mind you say itdistinctly, Phronsie, that there may be no mistake in the future."

  "Oh, Grandpapa!" cried Phronsie in dismay.

  "Yes, child; I know what is best for you. Take that doll, and doexactly as I bid you."

  A dreadful pause fell upon the room. Polly clasped her hands, whileAlexia and the other girls huddled into a corner saying softly, "Oh!how perfectly dreadful!"

  "No use to say anything to father when he looks like that," groanedJasper, when Polly besought him to try his influence, "his blood is upnow; he's borne a good deal, you know, Polly."

  "O dear, dear!" whispered Polly, back again, "just look at Mrs.Chatterton's face, and at poor Phronsie's; can't you do something,Jasper?"

  "I'm afraid not," said Jasper gloomily. "No; he's making her give itback; see, Polly."

  "You'll know it's for the best," Mr. King was repeating as he led thechild to Mrs. Chatterton standing cold and silent at the end of theroom, "sometime, child, and then you'll thank me that I saved you fromfurther annoyance of this sort. There, Cousin Eunice, is your gift,"taking the doll from Phronsie's hand, and placing it in the long,jeweled one. "My little granddaughter receives presents only from thosewho love her. All others are unwarranted, and must be returned."

  Phronsie burst out tearfully, "She's sorry, Grandpapa, I know she is,and she loves me now. Please let me keep the doll."

  But Mrs. Chatterton had left the room, the doll in her hand.

  XXIV

  AWAY

  And after that everybody had to be as gay as possible, to keepPhronsie's sad little face from being flooded with tears.

  "Dear me!" exclaimed Jasper, "here comes Candace! Now what do yousuppose she has for you, Phronsie?"

  Candace sailed through the doorway with ample satisfaction witheverything and herself in particular.

  "Whar's little Miss?" she demanded, her turban nodding in alldirections, and her black eyes rolling from side to side.

  "There, Candace," said some one, "over in the corner with Jasper."

  "Oh! I see her," said Candace, waddling over to them. "Well, now,Phronsie, seein' you couldn't come to me for somethin' I made 'xpresslyfer you, w'y, Candace has to come to you. See dat now, chile!"

  She unrolled the parcel, disclosing the wonderful doll adorned withCandace's own hair, and "Ole Missus' ruffles," then stood erect, herbosom swelling with pride and delight.

  "O my goodness me!" exclaimed Alexia, tumbling back after the first andonly glance, and nearly overturning Cathie who was looking over hershoulder. "Polly Pepper, O dear me!" Then she sat down on the floor andlaughed till she cried.

  "Hush--hush!" cried Polly, running over to her, "do stop, Alexia, andget up. She'll hear you, and we wouldn't hurt her feelings for theworld. Do stop, Alexia."

  "O dear me!" cried Alexia gustily, and holding her sides while shewaved back and forth; "if it had been--a--respectable doll, butthat--horror! O dear me!"

  "Stop--stop!" commanded Polly, shaking her arm.

  But Alexia was beyond stopping herself. And in between Candace'sdelighted recital how she combed "de ha'r to take de curl out," and how"ole Missus' ruffles was made into de clothes," came the peals oflaughter that finally made every one in the room stop and look at thegirls.

  "Candace, come into my 'den' and get a pattern for some new pins I wantyou to make for me," cried Jasper, desperately dragging her off.

  "It's no use to lecture me," said Alexia, sitting straight as Candace'sfeet shuffled down the hall, and wiping her face exhaustedly. "I knowit was dreadful--O dear me! Don't anybody speak to me, or I shalldisgrace myself again!"

  "Now, Phronsie, what do you suppose we are to do next?"

  Phronsie looked up into old Mr. King's face.

  "I don't know, Grandpapa," she said wonderingly.

  "Well, now, my dear, you've had Punch and Judy, and these nicechildren," waving his hand to indicate the delegation from the orphanasylum, "have sung beautifully for you. Now what comes next, Phronsie?"

  "I don't know, Grandpapa," repeated Phronsie.

  "When gifts become burdensome they no longer are kindnesses," said Mr.King. "Now, Phronsie, I have found out--never mind how; little birds,you now, sometimes fly around telling people things they ought to know.Well, I have discovered in some way that my little girl has too manychildren to care for."

  Here Phronsie's brown eyes became very wide.

  "And when there are too many children in the nest, Phronsie, why, theyhave to go out into the world to try their fortunes and make otherhomes. Now there are so many poor little girls who haven't anychildren, Phronsie. Think of that, dear; and you have so many."

  Phronsie at this drew nearer and stole her hand into his.

  "Now what is to be done about it?" asked the old gentleman, putting hisother broad palm over her little one and holding it fast. "Hey, my pet?"

  "Can't we buy them some children?" asked Phronsie with warm interest."Oh, Grandpapa dear, do let us; I have money in my bank."

  "Phronsie," said the old gentleman, going to the heart of the matter atonce and lifting her to his lap, "I really think the time has come togive away some of your dolls. I really do, child."

  Phronsie gave a start of incredulity and peered around at him.

  "I really do. You are going abroad to be gone--well, we'll say a year.And your dolls would be so lonely without anything to do but to sit allday and think of their little mother. And there are so many childrenwho would love them and make them happy." Now Mr. King's white hair wasvery near the yellow waves floating over his shoulder, so that none butPhronsie's ears caught the next words. "It's right, Phronsie dear; I'ddo it if I were you," he said in a low voice.

  "Do you want it, Grandpapa?" asked Phronsie softly.

  "I do, child; but not unless you are willing"--

  "Then I do," declared Phronsie, sitting quite straight on his knee. Andshe gave a relieved sigh. "Oh, Grandpapa, if we only had the poorchildren now!" she exclaimed, dreadfully excited.

  "Come, then." Old Mr. King set her on her feet. "Clear the way there,good people; we are going to find some poor children who are waitingfor dolls," and he threw wide the door into a back passage, and there,presided over by Jencks, and crowding for the first entrance, was ascore of children with outstretched hands.

/>   "Oh--oh!" exclaimed Phronsie with cheeks aflame.

  "Please, he said we was to have dolls," cried one hungry-eyed girl,holding out both her hands. "I've never had one. Please give me onequick."

  "Never had one?" echoed Phronsie, taking a step toward her.

  "Only a piece, Miss, I found in a rag-barrel. Please give me one quick."

  "She's never had a doll--only a piece," repeated Phronsie, turning backto the family, unable to contain this information.

  "Ask the others if they have had any," said Mr. King, leaning against atall cabinet. "Try that girl there in a brown plaid dress."

  "Have you ever had a doll?" asked Phronsie obediently, looking over atthe girl indicated, and holding her breath for the answer.

  At this, the girl in the brown plaid dress burst into tears, which sodistressed Phronsie that she nearly cried.

  "Yes, but it died," said the girl after a little.

  "Oh, Grandpapa, her doll died!" exclaimed Phronsie in horror.

  "No, it didn't, Jane," corrected another girl, "the dog et it; you knowhe did."

  "Yes, I know," said Jane, between small sobs, "it died, and we couldn'thave any fun'ral, 'cause the dog had et it."

  "Well, now, Phronsie," exclaimed Mr. King, getting away from thesupport of the cabinet, "I think it's time that we should make some ofthese children happy. Don't you want to take them up to the playroomand distribute the dolls?"

  "No, no," protested Phronsie suddenly. "I must go up and tell mychildren. They will understand it better then, Grandpapa. I'll be backin a very few minutes," and going out she went quickly upstairs, andafter a while returned with both arms full.

  "This doll is for you," she said gravely, putting a doll attired in awonderful pink satin costume into Jane's arms. "I've told her aboutyour dog, and she's a little frightened, so please be careful."

  "What's the fun down there now?" asked Joel of Van, who with Percycould not be persuaded to leave his bedside a moment, "open the door,do, and let's hear it."

  So Van threw wide the door.

  "Go out and listen, Percy, will you?" he said.

  "I don't want to," said Percy, who shared Van's wish to keep in thebackground.

  "You two fellows act like muffs," said Joel. "Now if you want me to getwell, go out, do, and tell me what the fun is going on down there."

  So persuaded, the two boys stole out into the hall in time to seePhronsie go down the stairs with her armful, and carefully using theirears they soon rushed back with "Phronsie's giving away her dolls!"

  "Stuff and nonsense!" exclaimed Joel, "if you can't bring back anythingbetter than that yarn, you might as well stay here."

  "But I tell you it's true," declared Van, "isn't it, Percy?"

  "Yes, it is," said Percy. "I heard her distinctly say, 'This doll isfor you'--and she had her arms full, so I suppose she's going to givethose away too"--

  "A likely story," said Joel, bursting into a laugh. At the noise up inthe boys' room, Mother Fisher ran quickly over the stairs.

  "Oh, boys! what is it? Joel, are you worse?"

  "No, indeed," said Joel, "I was laughing. Percy and Van have beentelling such a big story. Mamsie, they actually said that Phronsie wasgiving away her dolls."

  "Is that all?" cried Mrs. Fisher in relief. "Well, so she is, Joel."

  "PHRONSIE GIVING AWAY HER DOLLS, MAMSIE?" screamed Joel. "Why, whatdoes Grandpapa say?"

  "He's the very one that proposed it," said Mrs. Fisher. "There, Joey,don't get excited, for I don't know what the doctor will say," as Joelsank back on his pillow, overcome by this last piece of news.

  When Phronsie went to bed that night she clasped Mr. King's new gift toher breast.

  "Grandpapa, dear," she said confidingly as they went up the stairstogether, "do you know I really think more of this doll, now that theothers are gone? Really I do, Grandpapa, and I can take better care ofher, because I shall have more time."

  "So you will, dear," assented Mr. King. "Well, Phronsie, I think youand I, dear, haven't made a bad day's work."

  "I think my children will be happy," said Phronsie with a small sigh,"because you see it's so nice to make good times for their new mothers.And, Grandpapa, I couldn't play with each one more than once a week. Iused to try to, but I couldn't, Grandpapa."

  "Why didn't you tell me, Phronsie," asked the old gentleman a bitreproachfully as they reached the top step, "how it was, dear? Youshould have given them away long ago."

  "Ah, but," said Phronsie, slowly shaking her head, "I didn't want togive them away before; only just now, Grandpapa, and I think they willbe happy. And now I'm going to take this newest one to bed, just as Iused to take things to bed years ago, when I was a little girl."

  And after all, there was an extension of time for the three boys'vacation, Dr. Marks not getting up from his sudden attack of fever asquickly as was expected. But there came a day at last, when Percy, Vanand David bade Joel "good-by."

  "It won't be for long," observed that individual cheerfully, "you'll beback in three weeks."

  "O dear!" groaned Percy when safe within the coach, "we've ruined allhis chances. He certainly will be plucked now--with those three weeksto make up."

  Van gathered himself up and leaned forward in his corner.

  "Don't look so, Dave," he cried desperately.

  David tried to smooth the troubled lines out of his face, but onlysucceeded in making it look worse than before.

  "And it will kill Mrs. Fisher," Percy continued gloomily, "if he doesget plucked, as of course he will."

  "Keep still, will you?" cried Van, his irritation getting beyondbounds. "What's the use of talking about a thing till it's done," whichhad the effect to make Percy remember his promise to Polly and closehis mouth.

  But Joel's wound healed quicker than any one supposed it possiblycould, and Percy and Van, who both hated to write letters, gave up muchtime on the playground to indite daily bulletins, so that he declaredthat it was almost as good as being there on the spot. And MotherFisher and her army of servants cleaned the great stone house from topto bottom, and sorted, and packed away, and made things tidy for thenew housekeeper who was to care for them in her absence, till Dr.Fisher raised his eyebrows and hands in astonishment.

  "I really must," he said one day, "put in a remonstrance, wife, oryou'll kill yourself before we start."

  "Oh! I'm used to working," Mrs. Fisher would say cheerily, and then offshe would fly to something so much worse that the little doctor wasspeechless.

  And Polly set herself at all her studies, especially French, withredoubled vigor, notwithstanding that she was hampered with thefaithful attentions of the schoolgirls who fought among themselves forher company, and showered her with pathetic"O--dear--me--ow--I--shall--miss--you," and with tears when they gotover it. And Jasper buried himself in his den, only bursting forth atmeal times, and Mrs. Whitney bemoaned all preparations for thetravelers' departure, and wished a thousand times that she had notgiven her promise to keep the house and look after the boys. Andeverybody who had the slightest claim to a calling acquaintance, nowdropped in upon the Kings, and Polly had her "good-by party," and itwas pronounced perfectly elegant by Alexia and her set, and the threeboys came home for the long vacation--and in two days the party wouldsail.

  "Who do you think is going abroad with us?" asked Mr. King suddenly, asthey all sat in the library for a last evening talk; "guess quickly."

  "Who?" cried several voices.

  "Why, I thought you didn't want any outsiders, father," exclaimedJasper in surprise.

  "Well, and I didn't when I said so, but circumstances are changednow--come, guess quickly, some one?"

  "The Cabots," said Jasper at a venture.

  "No, no; guess again."

  "Mr. Alstyne?"

  "No; again."

  "The Bayleys, the Dyces, the Herrings," shouted Mr. Whitney and Van andJoel.

  "No, I know," broke in Percy, "it's Mrs. Chatterton," with a quickglance to make sure that she was not in the room
.

  "NO!" thundered Mr. King. "Oh! how stupid people can be when they wantto. Two persons are to meet us in New York to-morrow. I didn't tell youtill I was sure; I had no desire that you should be disappointed. Nowguess again."

  "Auntie, do you know?" asked Polly suddenly, leaning back, as she saton the rug in front of the fire, to lay her head in Mrs. Whitney's lap.

  "No, I'm sure I don't," said Mrs. Whitney, stroking lightly the brownhair, with a pang to think how long it would be before she shouldcaress it again.

  "How any one can desire to cross the ocean," remarked Mr. Whitney,folding his hands back of his head and regarding meditatively theglowing fire, "is more than I can see. That I never shall do it againunless whipped over, I'm morally certain."

  "Are the persons men?" asked Ben suddenly.

  "One is," replied Mr. King.

  "And the other is a woman?"

  "The other is a woman," said Mr. King. "Well, what are their names?Isn't anybody smart enough to guess them? Dear me, I've always saidthat the Peppers were remarkably bright, and the rest of you childrenare not behind other young people. Go on, try again. Now who are they?"

  Polly took her head out of Mrs. Whitney's lap, and rested her chin inher hands, Davie walked up and down the room, while Ben and the twoWhitney boys hung over Mother Fisher's chair.

  "Dear me!" fumed Joel. "Who ever could guess. There's such a lot orpeople in the world that Grandpapa knows. It might be any two of themthat he had asked."

  Little Dr. Fisher's eyes roved from one to the other of the group. "Icouldn't begin to guess because I don't know many of your friends," hesaid quietly.

  "You know these two people very well," said Mr. King, laughing, to seethe little man's face.

  "Now I think I know," said Jasper slowly, a light coming into his grayeyes, "but I don't suppose it's fair to guess, for I saw the address ona letter father was writing two or three weeks ago."

  "You did, you young scamp, you!" cried Mr. King, turning on him. "Well,then, 'tisn't a guess for you, Jasper. Keep still, my boy, and let themwork away at it. Will no one guess?"

  "Mamsie," cried Polly, bounding up from the ring, nearly upsettingPhronsie, who was sitting beside her in a brown study, "can it be--doyou suppose it is nice, dear Mr. and Mrs. Henderson?"

  "Well, Polly," said Mr. King, beaming at her, "you've done what theothers couldn't. Yes, it is Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, and they are goingwith us to stay until the autumn."

  "Good, good!" cried every one till the big room seemed full of joy.

  "Oh, father!" exclaimed Mrs. Whitney, "I'm so glad you've done this.They were so kind to Dicky and to me when he was hurt."

  "They were kind to Dicky and to you," said her father; "and besides,Marian, Mr. Henderson is a man who doesn't preach at you only once aweek, and Mrs. Henderson is a fine woman. So it's a pity not to ease upthings for them now and then. Well, how do you like the plan?" He spoketo Dr. Fisher, but his gaze took them all in.

  "Immensely," said the little doctor; which being again echoed heartilyby all the rest, old Mr. King began to feel very much elated at hispart in the proceedings, and in a quarter of an hour it seemed as ifthe expedition had been especially planned for the benefit of theHendersons, so naturally had it all come about.

  And on the morrow, the whole family, Kings, Whitneys, Fishers andPeppers, turned their backs on the gray stone mansion and went down tothe city.

  And Alexia Rhys persuaded her aunt to do her semi-annual shopping atthis time, and to take her too; and Mr. Alstyne also had business thatnecessitated his going, and Mr. Cabot and Mary Taylor, and her fatherfound they must go along too; and Hamilton Dyce was there, andPickering Dodge, of course, went to be company for Ben on the way back.And at the last moment who should jump on the train but LivingstonBayley.

  "Had a telegram," he explained; "must be there at noon. So glad of theunexpected pleasure of meeting you all."

  And Cousin Eunice Chatterton went; for, at the last minute, she hadsuddenly discovered that she had visited at the gray stone mansion aslong as she cared to, and notified the family accordingly. And Mr. Kinghad so far made up for his part in the late unpleasantness as to askher to go with the party, on her way to her nephew's in the city. Sothere she was with the others, bidding them good-by on the steamer.

  "Phronsie," she said slowly, under cover of the babel of tongues, "youare a good child, and I've done well by you. This little bit of paper,"putting it into her hands, "contains a message to Mr. King, which youare to give him after you have started."

  "I will go and give it to him now," said Phronsie, her fingers closingover the bit.

  "No, no," said Mrs. Chatterton sharply, "do as I say. Remember, on noaccount to let any one see it till after you have started. You are agood child, Phronsie. Now, remember to do as you are bidden. And now,will you kiss me, child?"

  Phronsie lifted her eyes and fixed them on the long, white face, andsuddenly raising herself on her tiptoes, she put up her lips.

  "Look at Phron," cried Joel in the midst of the group, "actuallykissing Mrs. Chatterton!" and everybody turned and stared.

  Cousin Eunice dropped her veil with a quick hand, and moved off with astately step, but not in time to lose young Bayley's drawl:

  "'Pon me word--it's the most extraordinary thing. Phronsie, come here,and tell us what 'twas like." But Phronsie stood quite still as if shehad not heard.

  "Yes, I hope you'll have a nice time," Pickering Dodge was saying forthe dozenth time, with eyes for no one but Polly, "now don't stay awayfor a year."

  Polly with her heart full of the boys, who were hanging on either side,answered at random.

  "Oh, Ben! I can't go," she was exclaiming, and she hid her head on hisshoulder, so Pickering turned off.

  But Joel set his teeth together. "You must," he said, for Ben wasbeyond speech with the effort to control himself.

  "I can't," said poor Polly, "leave you, Ben, and the boys."

  And then Mrs. Whitney came up just as Polly was near breaking down.

  "My dear child," she said, taking Polly's hands, "you know it is rightfor you to go."

  "Yes, I know," said Polly, fighting her tears.

  "Then, Polly, be brave, dear, and don't begrudge me my three new boys,"she added playfully. "Just think how happy I'm to be, with six suchsplendid fellows to call my own."

  Polly smiled through her tears.

  "And one thing more," said Mrs. Whitney in a low voice, "when you feelbadly," looking steadily at Polly and the three boys, "remember whatDr. Fisher said; that if your mother didn't stop working, and rest, shewould break down."

  "I'll remember," said Ben hoarsely.

  "So will I," said David.

  "And I will," said Joel, looking everywhere but into Polly's eyes.

  "Well, I hope, Miss Polly," said young Mr. Bayley, sauntering up, "thatyou'll have an uncommonly nice time, I do indeed. I may run across inSeptember; if I do, we shall probably meet."

  "Miss Mary Pepper?" suddenly asked a man with a huge basket of flowers,and pausing in front of her.

  Young Mr. Bayley smiled indulgently as he could not help reading thecard thrust into the flowers. "She will receive my flowers at intervalsall the way over, if the steward doesn't fail me," he reflected withsatisfaction, "while this boy's will fade in an hour."

  "Miss Mary Pepper?" the florist's messenger repeated, extending thebasket to Polly.

  "It's for you, Miss Polly," said young Mr. Bayley. "Let me relieveyou," taking the basket.

  "Oh! are they for me?" cried Polly.

  "I believe you are Miss Mary Pepper," said young Bayley. "Pretty,aren't they?" fingering the roses, and glad to think that there wereorchids among the flowers to which his card was attached, and justplaced under the steward's care.

  "I suppose I am," said Polly, with a little laugh, "but it seems as ifI couldn't be anything but Polly Pepper. Oh! thank you, Pickering, forthese lovely roses," catching sight of him.

  "Glad you like them," said Pickering radian
tly. "Say, Polly, don't stayaway a whole year, will you?"

  Young Mr. Bayley set the basket in his hand and turned on his heel witha smile.

  "Come, Polly, I want you," cried Alexia, trying to draw her off. "Youknow she's my very best friend, Pickering, and I haven't had a chanceto say one word to her this morning. Come, Polly."

  "Polly, come here," called Mrs. Fisher.

  "O dear!" cried Alexia impatiently, "now that's just the way it alwaysis. It's Polly here, and Polly there," as Polly deserted her and ranoff with her basket of roses.

  "You don't do any of the calling, of course," said Pickering, with alaugh.

  "Well, I'll have her to myself," declared Alexia savagely, "before it'stime for us to get off the steamer, see if I don't."

  "I don't believe it," said Pickering. "Look at her now in a maelstromof relatives. You and I, Alexia, are left out."

  And the next thing Alexia knew somebody unceremoniously helped her fromthe steamer with a "Beg pardon, Miss, but you must get off," and shewas standing on the wharf in a crowd of people, looking in a dazed wayat Polly Pepper's fluttering handkerchief, while fast-increasing littleripples of greenish water lay between them.

  And Phronsie was running up to Mr. King:

  "Here, Grandpapa, Mrs. Chatterton wanted me to give you this,"unclasping her warm little palm where the bit of white paper lay. "TheDickens she did," exclaimed the old gentleman; "so she has had a lastword with you, has she? Well, she won't get another for a long spell;so never mind. Now, let's see what Cousin Eunice says. Somethinginteresting, no doubt." He spread the crumpled bit straight and read,Phronsie standing quite still by his side:

  COUSIN HORATIO: I have made Phronsie Pepper my sole heir. You may likeit or not, as you please. The thing is done, and may God bless Phronsie. EUNICE CHATTERTON.