 CHAPTER 17 Christmas Bells In the middle of the night Polly woke with a start. What in the world? said she, and she bobbed up her head and looked over at her mother, who was still peacefully sleeping, and was just going to lie down again when a second noise out in the kitchen made her pause and lean on her elbow to listen. At this moment she thought she heard a faint whisper, and springing out of bed she ran to Franzi's crib. It was empty. As quick as a flash she sped out into the kitchen. There, in front of the chimney, were two figures. One was Joel. The other, unmistakably, was Franzi. What are you doing?" gaffed Polly, holding on to a chair. The two little nightgowns turned around at this. "'Well, I thought it was morning,' said Joel. "'I wanted my stalking.' Oh! and she felt the toe, which was generously stuffed. Give it to me, Polly-pepper, and I'll run right back to bed again.' "'Dear me,' said Polly, and you do, Franzi. Why, it's the middle of the night. Did I ever?' And she had to pinch her mouth together tight to keep from busting out into loud laughter. "'Oh, dear, I shall laugh. Don't look so scared, Franzi. There won't anything hurt you.' For Franzi, who, on hearing Joel fumbling around the precious stalkings, had been quite willing to hop out of bed and join him, had now, on Polly saying those dire words, in the middle of the night, scuttled over to her protecting side like a frightened rabbit. "'It'll never be morning,' said Joel, taking up first one cold toe, and then the other. "'You might let us have them now, Polly.' "'No,' said Polly, sobering down. "'You can't have yours till Davy wakes up, too. Scamper off to bed, Joey-dear, and forget all about him, and it'll be morning before you know it.' "'Oh, I'd rather go to bed,' said Franzi, trying to tuck up her feet in the little flannel nightgown, which was rather short. "'I don't know the way back, Polly. Take me, Polly-doo,' and she put up her arms to be carried. "'Oh, I ain't going back alone, either,' whimpered Joel, coming up to Polly, too. "'Why, you came down alone, didn't you?' whispered Polly with a little laugh. "'Yes, but I thought it was morning,' said Joel, his teeth chattering with something besides the cold. "'Well, you must think of the morning that's coming,' said Polly cheerily. "'I'll tell you. You wait till I put Franzi into the crib, and then I'll come back and go half-way up the stairs with you.' "'I won't ever come down till it's morning again,' said Joel, bouncing along the stairs when Polly was ready to go with him, at a great raid. "'Better not,' laughed Polly softly, and be careful. Do not wake Davy nor Ben.' "'I'm in,' announced Joel, in a loud whisper, and Polly could hear him snuggle down among the warm bed-clothes. "'Call us when it's morning, Polly.' "'Yes,' said Polly. "'I will. Go to sleep.' Franzi had forgotten stockings and everything else on Polly's return, and was fast asleep in the old crib. The result of it was the children slept over, when morning did really come, and Polly had to keep her promise and go to the foot of the stairs and call, "'Merry Christmas! Oh, Ben and Joel and Davy!' "'Oh! Oh! Oh!' And then the sounds that answered her, as with smothered whoops of expectation, they one and all flew into their clothes. Quick as a flash, Joel and Davy were down and dancing around the chimney. "'Mommy! MAMMY!' screamed Franzi, hugging her stocking, which Ben lifted her up to unhook from the big nail. "'Santi did come, he did!' And then she spun around in the middle of the floor, not stopping to look in it. "'Well, open it, Franzi!' called Davy, deep in the exploring of his own. "'Oh! Isn't that a splendid windmill, Joe?' "'Yes,' said that individual, who having found a big piece of molasses-candy, was so engaged in enjoying a huge bite of it, regardless alike of his other gifts or of the smearing his face was getting, he gave himself wholly up to its delights. "'Oh, Joey!' cried Polly, laughingly. "'Molasses-candy for breakfast!' "'Ah! It's FRIME!' cried Joel, swallowing the last morsel. "'Now I'm going to see what's this. Oh, Dave! See here! See here!' He cried in intense excitement, pulling out a nice little parcel, which unrolled, proved to be a bright pair of stout mittens. "'See, if you've got some, look quick!' "'Yes, I have,' said David, picking up a parcel about his big knoll. "'That's molasses-candy. Just same as I had,' said Joel. "'Do look for the mittens. Perhaps Santa Claus thought you had some. "'Oh, dear!' "'Here they are!' screamed Davy. "'I've got some, Joe. Just exactly like yours. See, Joe?' "'Goodie!' said Joel, immensely relieved. For now he could quite enjoy his, to see a pair on Davy's hands also. "'Look at Fron!' he cried. "'She hasn't only got half of her things out!' To tell the truth, Fronze was so bewildered by her riches, that she sat on the floor with a little red stocking in her lap, laughing and cooing to herself amid the few things she had drawn out. When she came to Serafina's bonnet, she was quite overcome. She turned it over and over, and smoothed out the little white feather that had once adorned one of Grandma Baskham's chickens, until the two boys, with their stockings, and the others sitting around in a group on the floor watching them, laughed and gleeed to see her enjoyment. "'Oh, dear!' said Joel, at last, shaking his stocking. "'I've got all there is. I wish there were forty Christmases coming.' "'I haven't!' screamed Davy. "'There's still something in the toe.' "'It's an apple, I guess,' said Joel. "'Turn it up, Dave.' "'Tisn't an apple,' exclaimed Davy. "'Tisn't round. It's long and thin. Here it is.' And he pulled out a splendid long whistle, on which he blew a blast long and terrible, and Joel, immediately following, all quiet was broken up, and the wildest celerity reigned. "'I don't know as you want any breakfast,' at last said Mrs. Pepper, when she had got Francie a little sobered down. "'I do! I do!' cried Joel. "'Dear me, after your candy,' said Polly. "'Well, that's all gone,' said Joel, tooting around the table on his whistle. "'What are we going to have for breakfast?' "'Same as ever,' said his mother. "'It can't be Christmas all the time.' "'Well, I wished was,' said little Davy. "'Forever and ever.' "'Forever and ever!' echoed little Francie, flying up her cheeks like two pinks and seraphina in arms with her bonnet on upside down. "'Dear, dear,' said Polly, pinching Ben to keep still as they tumbled down the rickety steps to the provision-room after breakfast. The children, content in their treasures, were holding high carnival in the kitchen. "'Suppose they should find it out now. "'I declare I should feel most awfully. "'But isn't it elegant?' she asked, in a subdued whisper, going all around and around the tree, magnificent in its dress of bright red and yellow balls, white festoons, and little candle-ends all ready for lighting. "'Oh, Ben, did you lock the door?' "'Yes,' he said. "'That's a mouse,' he added, as a little rustling noise made Polly stop, where she stood back of the tree and prick up her ears in great distress of mind. "'Tis elegant,' he said, turning around in admiration, and taking in the tree, which, as Polly said, was quite gorgeous, and the evergreen branches twisted up on the beams and rafters and all the other festive arrangements. "'Even Jappy's isn't better. I don't believe.' "'I wish Jappy was here,' said Polly, with a small sigh. "'Well, he isn't,' said Ben. "'Come, we must go back into the kitchen, or old children will be out here. "'Look, you're last, Polly. "'What won't do to come again till it's time to light up?' "'Mommy said she'd rather do the lighting up,' said Polly. "'Had she,' said Ben, in some surprise. "'Oh, I suppose she's afraid we'll set something afire. "'Well, then, we shan't come in till we have it.' "'I can't bear to go,' said Polly, turning reluctantly away. "'It's most beautiful.' "'Oh, Ben,' and she faced him for the five hundredth time with the question, "'Is your Santa Claus dress all safe?' "'Yes,' said Ben. "'I'll warrant they won't find that in one hurry. "'Such a time as we've had to make it.' "'I know it,' laughed Polly. "'Don't that cotton wool look just like Bits of Fur, Ben?' "'Yes,' said Ben. "'And when the flower's shaken over me, "'it'll be Santa himself.' "'We've got to put back the hair into Mamsey's cushion "'first thing to-morrow,' whispered Polly anxiously, "'and we mustn't forget it, Benzie.' "'I want to keep the wig offly,' said Ben. "'You did make that just magnificent, Polly.' "'If you could see yourself,' giggled Polly. "'Did you put it in the straw-bed? "'And are you sure you pulled the ticking over at smooth?' "'Yes, sir,' replied Ben. "'Sure is my name's Ben Pepper. "'If you'll only keep them from seeing me when I'm in it, "'till we're ready, that's all I ask.' "'Well,' said Polly, a little relieved. "'But I hope Joe won't look.' "'Come on, there are coming,' whispered Ben, quick. "'Polly!' rang a voice dangerously near, "'so near that Polly, speeding over the stairs "'to intercept it, nearly fell on her nose. "'Where are you, Ben?' asked one. "'Let's have a concert,' put in Ben. "'Polly was so out of breath that she couldn't speak. "'Come now, each take a whistle, "'and we'll march round and round, "'and see which can make the biggest noise.' "'So the rattle and laughter which this procession "'made all mystery was forgotten, "'and the two conspirators began to breathe freer.' "'Five o'clock!' "'The small ones of the pepper-flog, "'being pretty well tired out, with noise and excitement, "'ole gathered around Polly and Ben and clamored for a starry. "'Do, Polly, do!' begged Joele. "'It's Christmas, and won't come again for a year.' "'I can't,' said Polly, in such a Twitter, "'as she could hardly stand still, "'and for the first time in her life, refusing. "'I can't think of a thing.' "'Well, I will, then,' said Ben. "'We must do something,' he whispered to Polly. "'Tell it good,' said Joele, settling himself. "'So, for an hour, the small tyrants "'kept their entertainers well employed. "'Isn't it growing awful dark?' said Davy, "'rousing himself at last, "'as Ben paused to take breath. "'Polly pinched Ben. "'Mammy's a-going to let us know,' he whispered and replied. "'We must keep on a little longer.' "'Don't stop,' said Joele, lifting his head, "'where he sat on the floor. "'Want you whispering for Polly?' "'I'm not,' said Polly, glad to think she hadn't spoken. "'Well, do go on, Ben,' said Joele, laying down again. "'Polly'll have to finish it,' said Ben. "'I've got to go upstairs now.' "'So Polly launched out into such an extravagant story "'that they all, perforce, had to listen. "'All this time Mrs. Pepper had been pretty busy in her way. "'And now, as she came into the kitchen "'and set down her candle on the table, "'Children,' she said, "'everybody turned and looked at her. "'Her tone was so strange. "'And when they saw her dark eyes shining "'with such a new light, "'Little Davy skipped right out "'into the middle of the room. "'What's the matter, Mammy?' "'You may all come into the vision room,' said she. "'What for?' shouted Joele in amazement, "'while the others jumped to their feet and stood staring. "'Polly flew around like a general, arranging her forces. "'Let's march there,' said she. "'Fronzie, you take hold of Davy's hand and go first.' "'I'm going first,' announced Joele, "'squeezing up past Polly. "'No, you mustn't, Joe,' said Polly, "'decidedly, Fronzie and David are the youngest. "'They're always the youngest,' said Joele, "'falling back with Polly to the rear. "'Forward march,' sang Polly, "'follow Mamzie.' "'Down the stairs went with military step "'and into the provision room. "'And then, with one wild look, "'the little battalion broke ranks "'and tumbling one over the other "'and decidedly on military style, "'presented a very queer appearance. "'And Captain Polly was the queerest of all, "'for she gave one gaze at the tree "'and then sat right down on the floor "'and said, oh, oh! "'Mrs. Pepper was flying around delightedly "'and saying, please, do come right in, "'and how do you do?' "'And before anybody knew it, "'there were the laughing faces of Mrs. Henderson "'and the parson himself, Dr. Fisher, "'and old grandma Baskham. "'And while the two Henderson boys, "'unwilling to be defrauded of any of the fun, "'were squeezing themselves in between everybody else "'and coming up to Polly every third minute "'and saying, there, aren't you surprised? "'It's Fairyland,' cried little Davey, "'out of his wits with joy. "'Oh, aren't we in Fairyland, maw?' "'The whole room was in one buzz of chatter and fun "'and everybody beamed on everybody else "'and nobody knew what they said, "'till Mrs. Pepper called, hush! "'Santa Claus is coming.' "'A rattle at the little old window "'made everybody look there, "'just as a great snow-white head popped up over the sill. "'Oh!' screamed Joel. "'Tis Santy! "'He's coming in!' cried Davey and Chorus, "'which sent Fronzie flying to Polly. "'Injumped a little old man, quite spry for his ears, "'with a jolly red face and a pack on his back "'and flew into their midst prepared to do his duty. "'But what should he do instead of making his speech, "'this jolly old saint, "'but first fly up to Mrs. Pepper "'and say, oh, Mammy, how did you do it?' "'It's men!' screamed Fronzie. "'But the little old saint didn't hear, "'for he and Polly took hold of hands "'and pranced around that tree, "'while everybody laughed till they cried to see them go. "'And then it all came out.' "'Order!' said Parson Henderson in his deepest tones, "'and then he put into Santa Claus's hands a letter, "'which he requested him to read. "'And the jolly old saint, "'although he was very old, didn't need any spectacles, "'but piped out in Ben's loudest tones. "'Dear friends, a merry Christmas to you all, "'and that you'll have a good time "'and enjoy it all as much as I've enjoyed. "'My good times at your house "'is the wish of your friend, Jasper Elliott King.' "'Hurrah for Jappy!' cried Santa Claus, pulling his beard, "'and hurrah for Jasper!' went all around the room, "'and this ended in three good cheers, "'Fronzie coming in too late with her little crow, "'which was just as well, however.' "'Do your duty now, Santa Claus,' "'commanded Dr. Fisher as a master of ceremonies, "'and everything was as still as a mouse. "'And the first thing she knew, "'a lovely brass cage with a dear little bird "'with two astonished black eyes "'dropped down into Polly's hands. "'The card on it said, "'for Miss Polly Pepper to give her music "'every day in the year.' "'Mommy!' said Polly, "'and then she did the queerest thing of the whole. "'She just burst into tears. "'I never thought I should have a bird for my very own.' "'Hello!' said Santa Claus. "'I've got something myself.' "'Santa Claus's clothes are too old,' laughed Mr. Fisher, "'holding up a stout warm suit "'that a boy about as big as Ben would delight in. "'And then that wonderful tree "'just rained down all manner of lovely fruit. "'Gifts came flying thick and fast, to the air seemed full, "'and each one was greeted with a shout of glee "'as it was put into the hands of its owner. "'A shawl flew down on Mrs. Pepper's shoulders, "'and a work-basket tumbled on Polly's head, "'and tops and balls and fishing-polls "'sent Joel and David into a corner with howls of delight. "'But the climax was reached when a large wax doll "'with a very gay pink silk dress "'was put into Francie's hands. "'And Dr. Fisher stooping down, red and loud tones, "'four Francie from one who enjoyed her gingerbread boy.' "'After that nobody had anything to say. "'Books jumped down unnoticed, and gay boxes of candy, "'only Polly peeped into one of her books, "'and saw in Jappy's plain hand. "'I hope we'll both read this next summer. "'And turning over to the title page, "'she saw a complete manual of cookery.' "'The best is to come,' said Mrs. Henderson "'in her gentle way, when there was a lull in the gale. "'She took Polly's hand and led her "'to a little stand of flowers in the corner "'concealed by a sheet. "'Pinks and geraniums, heliotropes and roses, "'blooming away and nodding their pretty heads "'at the happy sight. "'Polly had her flowers.' "'Why didn't we know?' cried the children at last, "'when everybody was tying on their hoods "'and getting their hats to leave the festive scene. "'How could you keep it a secret, mammy?' "'They all went to Mrs. Henderson's,' said Mrs. Pepper. "'Jasper wrote me and asked where to send them. "'And Mrs. Henderson was so kind "'as to say they might come there. "'And we brought them over last evening, "'when you were all a bed. "'I couldn't have done it,' she said, "'bowing to the parson and his wife, "'if it wasn't for their kindness. "'Never in all this world.' "'And I'm sure,' said the minister, "'looking round on the bright group. "'If we can help along a bit of happiness like this, "'it is a blessed thing.' "'And here Joel had the last word. "'You said it wasn't going to be Christmas always, mammy. "'I say,' looking around on the overflow of treasures "'and happy faces. "'It'll be just forever.'" End of Chapter 17. Chapter 18 of Five Little Peppers and How They Grew. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Angela. Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney. Chapter 18. Education Ahead. After that, they couldn't thank Jasper enough. They tried too lovingly, and an elaborate letter of thanks headed by Mrs. Pepper was drawn up and sent with a box of the results of Polly's diligent study of Jasper's book. Polly stripped off recklessly her choicest buds and blossoms from the gay little stand of flowers in the corner that had already begun to blossom and tucked them into every little nook in the box that could possibly hold a posy. But as for thanking him enough, "'We can't do it, mammy,' said Polly, "'looking around on all the happy faces "'and then up at Cherry, who was singing in the window, "'and who immediately swelled up his little throat "'and poured out such a merry burst of song "'that she had to wait for him to finish. "'No, not if we tried a thousand years.' "'I'm a-going,' said Joel, "'who was busy as a bee with his new tools "'that the tree had shaken down for him. "'To make Jabby the splendidest box you ever saw, Polly, "'I guess that'll thank him.' "'Do,' cried Polly, "'he'd be so pleased, Joey.' "'And I,' said Franzi, "'over in the corner with her children, "'I'm going to see my poor sick man sometime, Polly, I am.' "'Oh, dear!' cried Polly, whirling around "'and looking at her mother in dismay. "'She'll be going to-morrow. "'Oh, no, Franzi, you can't. "'He lives miles and miles away, oh, ever so far!' "'Does he live as far as the moon?' asked little Franzi, "'carefully laying Seraphina down "'and looking up at Polly anxiously. "'Oh, I don't know,' said Polly, "'giving Cherry a piece of bread "'and laughing to see how cunning he looked. "'Oh, no, of course not, "'but it's an awful long ways, Franzi. "'I don't care,' said Franzi, determinedly, "'giving the new doll a loving little pat. "'I'm going sometime, Polly, to thank my poor sick man. "'Yes, I am.' "'You'll see him next summer, Franzi,' "'thanked Polly, skipping around the kitchen, "'and Jappy's sister Mary and the lovely lady "'and all the boys. Won't that be nice?' "'And Polly stopped to pat the yellow head, "'bending in motherly attentions "'over her array of dolls.' "'Yes,' said Franzi slowly, "'the whole of them, Polly?' "'Yes, indeed,' said Polly gaily, "'the whole of them, Franzi. "'Hooray!' shouted the two boys "'while Franzi only gave a long sigh "'and clasped her hands. "'Better not be looking for summer,' said Mrs. Pepper, "'until you do your duty by the winter, "'then you can enjoy it, "'and she took a fresh needle full of thread. "'Manzi's right,' said Ben, smiling over at her, "'and he threw down his book and jumped for his cap. "'Now for a good chop,' he cried, "'and snatching a kiss from Franzi, "'he rushed out of the door to his work, "'whistling as he went. "'Weren't Mr. Henderson good, Ma?' asked Polly, "'watching his retreating figure, "'to give Ben learning?' "'Yes, he was,' replied Mrs. Pepper enthusiastically. "'We've got a parson if anybody has in this world.' "'And Ben's learning,' said Polly, "'swelling with pride as she sat down by her mother "'and began to sew rapidly, "'so that he'll be a big man right off. "'Oh, dear,' as a thought made her needle pause a minute "'and its quick flying in and out. "'What is it, Polly?' "'Mrs. Pepper looked keenly at the troubled face "'and downcast eyes. "'Why?' began Polly, "'and then she finished very slowly. "'I shan't know anything, and Ben'll be ashamed of me.' "'Yes, you will,' cried Mrs. Pepper energetically. "'You keep on trying, and the Lord'll send some way. "'Don't you go to bothering your head about it now, Polly. "'It'll come when it's time.' "'Will it?' asked Polly doubtfully, "'taking up her needle again. "'Yes, indeed,' cried Mrs. Pepper briskly. "'Come, fly at your sewing. "'That's your learning now.' "'So, Tiz,' said Polly with a little laugh. "'Now let's see which'll get their seam done first, "'Manzi.' "'And now letters flew thick and fast "'from the city to the little brown house and back again, "'warming Jasper's heart and filling the tedious months "'of that winter with more jollity and fun "'than the lad ever enjoyed before. "'And never was fun and jollity more needed than now, "'for Mr. King, having nothing to do, "'and each year finding himself less inclined "'to exercise any thoughtful energy for others, "'began to look at life something in the light "'of a serious bore, "'and accordingly made it decidedly disagreeable "'for all around him, "'and particularly for Jasper, "'who was his constant companion. "'But the boy was looking forward to summer, "'and so held on bravely.' "'I do verily believe, Polly,' he wrote, "'that Badger Town will see the gayest times it ever knew. "'Sister Marion wants to go, so that's all right. "'Now hurrah for a good time, it's surely coming.' "'But, alas, for Jasper, as spring advanced, "'his father took a decided aversion to Hingham, Badger Town, "'and all other places that could be mentioned "'in that vicinity. "'It's a wretched climate,' he asserted over and over, "'and the foundation of all my ill feelings this winter "'was laid I'm convinced in Hingham last summer. "'No use to urge the contrary, "'and all Jasper's pleadings were equally vain. "'At last, Sister Marion, who was kindhearted to a fault, "'sorry to see her brother's dismay and disappointment, "'said one day, "'why not have one of the children come here? "'I should like it very much. "'Do invite Ben.' "'I don't want Ben,' said Jasper gloomily. "'I want Polly.' "'He added this in much the same tone as Franzi's "'when she had rushed up to him the day she was lost "'declaring, I want Polly.' "'Very well, then,' said Sister Marion, laughing, "'I'm sure I didn't mean to dictate which one. "'Let it be Polly, then. "'Yes, I should prefer Polly myself, I think, "'as we have enough boys now, "'smiling to think of her own brute-of-wide-awake youngsters. "'If you only will, Father, I'll try to be ever so good,' said Jasper, turning suddenly to his father. "'Jasper needs some change,' said Sister Marion kindly. "'He really has grown very pale and thin.' "'Hey,' said Mr. King sharply, "'looking at him over his eyeglasses. "'The boy's well enough, well enough.' "'But he twisted uneasily in his chair all the same. "'At last, he flung down his paper, "'twitched his fingers through his hair two or three times, "'and then burst out. "'Well, why don't you send for her? "'I'm sure I don't care. "'I'll write myself, and I'd better do it now. "'Tell Thomas to be ready to take it right down. "'It must get into this mail.' When Mr. King had made up his mind to do anything, everybody else must immediately give up their individual plans, and stand out of the way for him to execute his at just that particular moment. Accordingly, Thomas was dragged from his work to post the letter, while the old gentleman occupied the time in pulling out his watch every third second until the slightly out-of-breath Thomas reported on his return that the letter did get in. Then Mr. King settled down satisfied, and everything went on smoothly as before. But Polly didn't come. A grateful, appreciative letter, expressed in Mrs. Pepper's own stiff way, plainly showed the determination of that good woman not to accept what was such a favor to her child. In vain, Mr. King stormed and fretted and begged, offering every advantage possible. Polly should have the best foundation for a musical education that the city could afford, also lessons in the schoolroom under the boy's private tutor. It was all of no avail. In vain, Sister Marion sent a gentle appeal fully showing her heart was in it. Nothing broke down Mrs. Pepper's resolve until at last the old gentleman wrote one day that Jasper, being in such failing health, really depended on Polly to cheer him up. That removed the last straw that made it putting oneself under an obligation, which to Mrs. Pepper's independent soul had seemed insurmountable. And now it was decided that Polly was really to go, and pretty soon all Badger Town knew that Polly Pepper was going to the big city. And there wasn't a man, woman, or child, but what greatly rejoiced that a sunny time was coming to one of the chicks in the little brown house. With many warm words and some substantial gifts, kind friends helped forward the outing. Only one person doubted that this delightful chance should be grasped at once, and that one was Polly herself. I can't, she said, and stood quite pale and still when the Henderson's advised her mother's approval, and even Grandma Baskham said, go. I can't go and leave Mammy to do all the work. But don't you see Polly, said Mrs. Henderson, drawing her to her side, that you will help your mother twice as much as you possibly could here by getting a good education. Think what your music will be, only think Polly. Polly drew a long breath at this and turned away. Oh, Polly, cried Ben, though his voice choked. If you give this up, there'll never be another chance. And the boy put his arm around her and whispered something in her ear. I know, said Polly quietly, and then she burst out, oh, but I can't, isn't right. Polly, said Mrs. Pepper, and never in all their lives had the children seen such a look in Manzy's eyes as met them then. It does seem as if my heart would be broken if you didn't go. And then she burst out crying right before the mall. Oh, Mammy, cried Polly, breaking away from everybody and flinging herself into her arms. I'll go if you think I ought to, but it's too good. Don't cry, don't Mammy, dear. And Polly stroked the care one face lovingly and padded the smooth hair that was still so black. And Polly, added Mrs. Pepper, smiling through her tears, just think what a comfort you'll be to me and us all, she added, taking in the children who were crowding around Polly as the center of attraction. Why, you'll be the making of us, she added, hopefully. I'll do something, said Polly, her brown eyes kindling, or I shan't be worthy of you, Mammy. Oh, you'll do it, said Mrs. Pepper confidently, now that you're going. But when Polly stepped into the stage with her little hair trunks strapped on behind, containing her one brown merino that Mrs. Henderson had made over for her out of one of her own, and her two new ginghams, her courage failed again, and she astonished everybody, and nearly upset a mild-faced old lady who was in the corner placidly eating doughnuts by springing out and rushing up through the little brown gate, past all the family drawn up to see her off. She flew over the old flat doorstone and into the bedroom, where she flung herself down between the old bed and Francie's crib in a sudden torrent of tears. I can't go, she sobbed. Oh, I can't. Why Polly cried Mrs. Pepper hurrying in, followed by Joel and the rest of the troops at his heels. What are you thinking of? Think of by and by Polly, put in bed, patting her on the back with an unsteady hand, while Joel varied the proceedings by running back and forth, screaming at the top of his lungs, the stage is going, your trunk will be taken. Dear me, ejaculated Mrs. Pepper, do stop at somebody. There, Polly, come now, do as Mother says. I'll try again, said poor Polly, choking back her sobs and getting on her feet. Then Polly's tears were wiped away, her hat straightened, after which she was kissed all round again by the whole family, Francie waiting for the last two, and then was helped again into the stage, the bags and parcels, and a box for Jappy, which, as it wouldn't go into the trunk, Joel had insisted Polly should carry in her hand, where again piled around her, and Mr. Tisbit mounted to his seat and, with a crack of the whip, bore her safely off this time. The donut lady, viewing poor Polly with extreme sympathy, immediately forced upon her acceptance three of the largest and sugaryest. To a do you good, she said, falling to herself on another with good zeal, I always eat them, and then there ain't any room for homesickness, and away, and away, and away they rumbled and jumbled to the cars. Here, Mr. Tisbit put Polly in her numerous bundles under the care of the conductor, with manifold charges and explicit directions to see her safely into Mr. King's own hands. He left her sitting straight up among her parcels, her sturdy little figure drawn up to its full height, and the clear brown eyes regaining a little of their dancing light, for although a dreadful feeling tugged at her heart as she thought of the little brown house she was fast flying away from, there was something else. Our Polly had begun to realize that now she was going to help mother. And now they neared the big city, and everybody began to bustle around and get ready to jump out. And the minute the train stopped, the crowd poured out from the cars, making way for the crowd pouring in, for this was a through train. All aboard, saying the conductor, oh, my senses springing to Polly, I forgot you here. But as quick as a flash, she was pushed aside in a bright boyish figure dashed up. Oh, Polly, he said, in such a ringing voice. And in another second Polly in her bag, and the bundle of cakes and apples that Grandma Baskham had put up for her, and Joel's box, were one and all bundled out upon the platform in the train whizzed on, and there Mr. King was fuming up and down, berating the departing conductor and speaking his mind in regard to all the railroad officials he could think of. He pulled himself up long enough to give Polly a hearty welcome, and then away again he flew in righteous indignation while Jasper rushed off into the baggage room with Polly's check. However, every now and then, turning the look down into the little rosy face beside him, the old gentleman would burst forth. Bless me, child, I'm glad you're here, Polly. How could the fellow forget when? Oh, well, you know, said Polly with a happy little wriggle under her brown coat. I'm here now. So you are, so you are, laughed the old gentleman suddenly. Where can Jasper be so long? They're all in the carriage, answered the boy, skipping back. Now, Father, now Polly. He was fairly bubbling over with joy, and Mr. King forgot his dudgeon and joined in the general glee, which soon became so great that travelers gave many a glance at the merry trio who bundled away to Thomas and the waiting grace. You're sure you've got the right check, asked Mr. King nervously, getting into a handsome coach lined with dark green satin and settling down among its ample cushions with a sigh of relief. Oh, yes, left Jasper. Polly didn't have anyone else's check, I guess. Over through the heart of the city, down narrow, noisy business streets, out into wide avenues with handsome stately mansions on either side, they flew along. Oh, said Polly, and then she stopped and blushed very hard. What is it, my dear? asked Mr. King kindly. Polly couldn't speak at first, but when Jasper stopped his merry chat and begged to know what it was, she turned on him and burst out. You live here? Why, yes, left the boy, why not? Oh, said Polly again, her cheeks as red as two roses. It's so lovely. And then the carriage turned in at a brown stone gateway, and winding up among some fine old trees stopped before a large stately residence that in Polly's eyes seemed like one of the castles of Ben's famous stories. And then Mr. King got out and gallantly escorted Polly out and up the steps while Jasper followed with Polly's bag which he couldn't be persuaded to resign to Thomas. A stiff waiter held the door open and then the rest was only a pleasant confused jumble of kind, welcoming words, smiling faces with a background of high, spacious walls, bright pictures and soft, elegant hangings, everything and all inextricably mixed till Polly herself seemed floating away, away, fast to the fairyland of her dreams. Now Mr. King was handing her around like a precious parcel from one to the other. Now Jasper was bobbing in and out everywhere, introducing her on all sides. And then Prince was jumping up and trying to lick her face every minute. But best of all was when a lovely face looked down into hers, and Jasper's sister bent to kiss her. I am very glad to have you here, little Polly. The words were simple, but Polly lifting up her clear brown eyes looked straight into the heart of the speaker and from that moment never ceased to love her. It was a good inspiration, thought Mrs. Whitney to herself. This little girl is going to be a comfort, I know. And then she set herself to conduct successfully her three boys into friendliness and good fellowship with Polly, for each of them was following his own sweet will in the capacity of host, and besides staring at her with all his might, was determined to do the whole of the entertaining, a state of things which might become unpleasant. However, Polly stood it like a veteran. This little girl must be very tired, said Mrs. Whitney at last with a bright smile. Besides, I am going to have her to myself now. Oh no, no, cried little Dick in alarm. Boy, she's just come, we want to see her. For shame, Dick, said Percy the eldest, a boy of 10 years, who took every opportunity to approve Dick in public. She's come a great ways, so she ought to rest, you know. You wanted her to come out to the greenhouse yourself, you know you did, put in Van the next to Percy, who never would be reproved or patronized. Only she wouldn't go. You'll come down to dinner, said Percy politely, ignoring Van. Then you won't be tired, perhaps. Oh, I'm not very tired now, said Polly brightly with a merry little laugh. Only I've never been in the cars before, and never been in the cars before, exclaimed Van, crowding up, while Percy made a big round o' with his mouth and little Dick's eyes stretched to their widest extent. No, said Polly simply, never in all my life. Come, dear, said Sister Marion, rising quickly and taking Polly's hand, while Jasper showing unmistakable symptoms of pitching into all the three boys followed with the bag. Up the broad oak staircase they went, Polly holding by Mrs. Whitney's soft hand as if for dear life, and Jasper tripping up two steps at a time in front of them. They turned after reaching the top, down a hall soft to the foot and brightly lighted. Now Polly, said Sister Marion, I'm going to have you here right next to my dressing room. This is your nest, little bird, and I hope you'll be very happy in it. And here, Mrs. Whitney turned up the gas, and then, just because she couldn't help it, gathered Polly up in her arms without another word. Jasper sat down the bag on a chair and came and stood by his sister's side, looking down at her as she stroked the brown wavy hair on her bosom. It's so nice to have Polly here, Sister, he said, and he put his hand on Mrs. Whitney's neck, and then, with the other hand, took hold of both of Polly's chubby ones who looked up and smiled. And in that smile, the little brown house seemed to hop right out and bring back in a flash all the nice times those eight happy weeks had brought him. Oh, it was so perfectly splendid, Sister Marion, he cried, flinging himself down on the floor by her chair. You don't know what good times we had, does she, Polly? And then he launched out into a perfect shower and said, Don't you remember this, or, oh, Polly, you surely haven't forgotten that. Mrs. Whitney, good-naturedly entering into it and enjoying it all with them, until, warned by the lateness of the hour, she laughingly reminded Jasper of dinner and dismissed him to prepare for it. When the three boys saw Polly coming in again, they welcomed her with a cordial shout. For one and all, after careful measurement of her, had succumbed entirely to Polly, and each was unwilling that the others should get ahead of him in her regard. This is your seat, Polly, said Sister Marion, touching the chair next to her own. Thereupon a small fight ensued between the little Whitney's, while Jasper looked decidedly discomfited. Let Polly sit next to me, said Van, as if a seat next to him was of all things most to be desired. Oh, no, I want her, said little Dick. Shaw, Dick, you're too young, put in Percy. You'd spill the bread and butter all over her. I wouldn't either, said little Dick indignantly and beginning to crawl into his seat. I don't spill bread and butter now, Percy, you know. See here, said Jasper, decidedly, she's coming up here by father and me. That is Sister Marion, he finished more politely, if you're willing. All this while Polly had stood quietly watching the group, the big handsome table, the bright lights, and the well-trained servants with a curious feeling at her heart. What were the little brown house people doing? Polly she'll decide it, said Sister Marion, laughing. Now where will you sit, dear? She added, looking down on the little quiet figure beside her. Oh, by Jappy, please, said Polly quickly, as if there could be no doubt. And kind, Mr. King, she added, smiling at him. That's right, that's right, my dear, cried the old gentleman. Please, beyond measure, at her honest choice. And he pulled out her chair and waited upon her into it so handsomely that Polly was happy at once, while Jasper, with a proud toss of his dark, wavy hair, marched up delightedly and took the chair on her other side. And now, in two or three minutes, it seemed as if Polly had always been there. It was the most natural thing in the world that Sister Marion should smile down the table at the bright-faced narrator, who answered all their numerous questions and entertained them all with the counts of Ben's skill of fronze's cunning ways, of the boys who made fun for all and above everything else of the dear mother, whom they all longed to help, and of all the sayings and doings in the little brown house. No wonder that the little boys forgot to eat and for once never thought of the attractions of the table. And when, as they left the table at last, Little Dick rushed impulsively up to Polly and, flinging himself into her arms, declared, I love you and you're my sister. Nothing more was needed to make Polly feel at home. Yes, said Mrs. Whitney, and nodded to herself in the saying, it was a good thing and a comfort, I believe, has come to this house this day. End of Chapter 18. Chapter 19 of Five Little Peppers and How They Grew, by Margaret Sidney. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording by Amy Benton. Five Little Peppers and How They Grew, by Margaret Sidney, Chapter 19. Brave Work and the Reward. And on the very first morrow came Polly's music teacher. The big drawing room with its shaded light and draped furniture, with its thick, soft carpet on which no footfall could be heard, with all its beauty and loveliness on every side, was nothing to Polly's eyes, only the room that contained the piano. That was all she saw. And when the teacher came, he was simply the fairy, an ugly little one that is true, but still a most powerful being who was to unlock its mysteries and conduct her into fairy land itself. He was a homely little Frenchman, with a long curved nose and an enormous black moustache magnificently waxed, about elaborately and called her Mar-au-Moselle Pepe, but he had music in his soul and Polly couldn't reverence him too much. And now the big piano gave out new sounds, sounds that told of a strong purpose and steady patience. Every note was struck from mother and the home brood. Montserr Tatello, after watching her keenly out of his little black eyes, would nod to himself like a Mandarin and the nod would be followed by showers of extra politeness as is appreciation of her patient energy and attention. Every chance she could get, Polly would steal away into the drawing room from Jappy and the three boys and all the attentions they could offer and laboriously work away over and over at the tedious scales and exercises that were to be stepping stones to so much that was glorious beyond. Never had she sat still for so long a time in her active little life and now with her arms at just such an angle with the stiff chubby fingers kept under training and restraint. Well, Polly realized years after that only her love of the little brown house could ever have kept her from flying up and spinning around in perfect despair. She likes it, said Percy in absolute astonishment one day when Polly had refused to go out driving with all the other children in the park and had gone resolutely instead into the drawing room and shut the door. She likes those hateful old exercises and she don't like anything else. Much you know about it, said Jappy. She's perfectly aching to go now, Percy Whitney. Well, why don't you then, said Percy, opening his eyes to their widest extent? Cause, said Jasper, stopping on his way to the door to look him full in the face. She's commenced to learn to play and there won't anything stop her. I'm going to try, said Percy gleefully. I know lots of ways I can do to try anyway. See here now, said Jasper, turning back. You let her alone. Do you hear? he added. And there must have been something in his eye to command attention, for Percy instantly signified his intention not to tease this young music student in the least. Well, come on then, old fellow. And Jasper swung his cap on his head. Thomas will be like 40 bears if we keep him waiting much longer. And Polly kept at it steadily, day after day, getting through the lessons in the school room as quickly as possible to rush to her music. Until presently, the little Frenchman waxed enthusiastic to that degree that as day after day progressed and swelled into weeks and each lesson came to an end, he would skip away on the tips of his toes, his nose in the air and the waxed ends of his moustache fairly trembling with delight. Ah, such patience as Mademoiselle Péper has! I know no other such little American. I think, said Jasper, one evening after dinner, when all the children were assembled as usual in their favorite place on the big rug in front of the fire in the library, Prince in the middle of the group, his head on his paws watching everything in infinite satisfaction, that Polly is getting on in music as I never saw anyone do. And that's a fact. I mean to begin, said Van, ambitiously, sitting up straight and staring at the glowing coals. I guess I will. Tomorrow. Which announcement was received with the perfect shout? Van's taste being anything rather than of musical nature. If you do, said Jappy, when the merriment had a little subsided, I shall go out of the house at every lesson, but there won't anyone stay in it, Van. I can bang all I want to then, said Van. No ways disturbed by the reflection and pulling one of Prince's long ears. You think you're so big, Jappy, just because you're thirteen. He's only three ahead of me, Van," bristled Percy, who never could forgive Jappy for being his uncle much less the still-greater sin of having been born three years earlier than himself. Three is just as bad as four, said Van. Let's tell stories, began Polly, who never could remember such goings-on in the little brown house. We must each tell them. She adept the greatest enthusiasm and see which will be the biggest and the best. Oh, no! said Van, who perfectly reveled in Polly's stories, and who now forgot his trials in the prospect of one. You tell, Polly. You tell alone. Oh, yes, do, Polly, said Jasper. We'd rather. So Polly launched into one of her gayest and finest, and soon they were in such appeal of laughter and had reached such heights of enjoyment that Mr. King popped his head in the door and then came in and took a seat in the big rocking chair in the corner to hear the fun go on. Oh, dear! said Van, leaning back with a long sigh and wiping his flushed face as Polly wound up with a triumphant flourish. However, do you think of such things, Polly Pepper? It isn't anything, said Jappy, bringing his handsome face out into the strong light. Why, it's just nothing to what she's told time and again in the little brown house in Badger Town. And then he caught sight of Polly's face, which turned a little pale in the firelight, as he spoke. And the brown eyes had such a pathetic droop in them that it went to the boy's very heart. Was Polly home sick? And so soon? End of chapter 19. Chapter 20 of Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording by Amy Benton. Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney, chapter 20. Polly is comforted. Yes, it must be confessed Polly was home sick. All her imaginations of her mother's hard work, increased by her absence, loomed up before her till she was almost ready to fly home without a minute's warning. At night, when no one knew it, the tears would come racing over the poor, furlorn little face that would not be squeezed back. It got to be noticed, finally, and one and all redoubled their exertions to make everything twice as pleasant as ever. The only place, except in front of the grand piano, where Polly approached a state of comparative happiness was in the greenhouse. Here she would stay, comforted and soothed among the lovely plants and rich exotics, rejoicing the heart of old Turner the Gardener, who since Polly's first rapturous entrance had taken her into his good graces for all time. Every chance she could steal after practice hours were over and after the clamorous demands of the boys upon her time were fully satisfied was seized to fly on the wings of the wind to the flowers. But even with the music and flowers, the dancing light in her eyes went down a little and Polly, growing more silent and pale, moved around with a little droop to the small figure that had only been want to fly through the wide halls and spacious rooms with gay springing step. Polly don't like us, at last said Van one day in despair. Then, dear, said Mrs. Whitney, you must be kinder to her than ever. Think what it would be for one of you to be away from home, even among friends. I'd like at first rate to be away with Percy, said Van reflectively. I wouldn't come back in three, no six weeks. My son, said his mamma, just stop and think how badly you would feel if you really couldn't see Percy. Well, said Van, and he showed signs of relenting a little at that. But Percy is perfectly awful, mama. You don't know, and he feels so smart, too, he said vindictively. Well, said Mrs. Whitney softly, let's think what we can do for Polly. It makes me feel very badly to see her sad little face. I don't know, said Van, running over in his mind all the possible ways he could think of for entertaining anybody. Unless she'd like my new books of travels or my philosophy, he added. I'm afraid those wouldn't quite answer the purpose, said his mamma, smiling especially the last. Yet we must think of something. But just here Mr. King thought about time to take matters into his hands. So, with a great many chuckleings and shruggings when no one was by, he had departed after breakfast one day, simply saying he shouldn't be back to lunch. Polly sat in the drawing room, near the edge of the twilight, practicing away bravely. Somehow all of the days when the home feeling was the strongest, this day it seemed as if she could bear it no longer. If she could only see Franzi for just one moment. I shall have to give up," she moaned. I can't bear it. And over went her head on the music rack. Where is she? Said a voice over in front of the piano in the gathering-desk, unmistakably Mr. King's. Oh, she's always at the piano, said Van. She must be there now somewhere. And then somebody laughed. Then came the loudest of whispers from little Dick. Oh, Jappy, what'll she say? Hush, said one of the other boys, do be still, Dick. Polly sat up very straight and whisked off the tears quickly. Up came Mr. King with an enormous bundle in his arms, and he marched up to the piano, puffing with his exertions. Here, Polly, hold your arms. He had only strength to gasp. And then he broke out into a loud burst of merriment, which all the troupe joined, until the big room echoed with the sound. And at this, the bundle opened suddenly, and out popped Fronzie. Here, I'm here, Polly. But Polly couldn't speak. And if Jasper hadn't caught her just in time, she would have tumbled over backward from the stool, Fronzie and all. Aren't you glad I've come, Polly? Asked Fronzie with her little face close to Polly's own. That brought Polly too. Oh, Fronzie! She cried and strained her to her heart, while the boys crowded around and plied her with sudden questions. Now you'll stay, cried Van. Say Polly, won't you? Weren't you awfully surprised? Cried Percy. Say Polly, awfully. Is her name Fronzie? Put in dick, unwilling to be left out and not thinking of anything else to ask. Boys, whispered their mother, warningly, she can't answer you. Just look at her face. And to be sure, our Polly's face was a study to behold. All of its old sonniness was as nothing to the joy that now transfigured it. Oh, she cried, coming out of her rapture a little and springing over to Mr. King, with Fronzie still in her arms. Oh, you are the dearest, best Mr. King I ever saw. But how did you make Mammy let her come? Isn't he splendid? Cried Jasper in intense pride, swelling up father knew how to do it. Polly's arms were around the old gentleman's neck, so she didn't hear. There, there, he said soothingly, patting her brown fuzzy head. Something was going down the old gentleman's neck that wet his collar and made him whisper very tenderly in her ear. Don't give way now, Polly. Fronzie'll see you. I know, guessed Polly, controlling her sobs. I won't, only I can't thank you. Fronzie, said Jasper, quickly, what do you suppose Prince said the other day? What, asked Fronzie in intense interest, slipping down out of Polly's arms and crowding up close to Jasper's side, what did he, Jasper? Oh, how funny! Laughed Van, while little Dick burst right out. Jasper! Be still, said Jappy, warningly, while Fronzie stood surveying them all with grave eyes. Well, I asked him, don't you want to see Fronzie pepper-prints? And do you know he stood right upon his hind legs, Fronzie? And he said, bark, yes, bark, bark. Did he really, Jasper? Cried Fronzie, delighted beyond major and clasping her hands and rapture. All alone by himself! Yes, all alone by himself, asserted Jasper vehemently and winking furiously to the others to stop their laughing. He did now, truly, Fronzie. I mustn't I go and see him now, Jasper? Yes, pretty soon, now? So you must, cried Jasper, enchanted at the success and amusing, and I'll go with you. Oh, no, cried Fronzie, shaking her yellow head. Oh, no, Jasper! I must go by my very own self. There, Jep, you've got it, laughed Percy, while the others screamed at the sight of Jasper's face. Oh, Fronzie, cried Polly, turning around at these last words. How could you? Don't mind it, Polly, whispered Jasper, pleasant her fault. Fronzie, said Mrs. Whitney, smilingly stooping over the child, would you like to see a little pussy I have for you? But the chubby face didn't look up brightly, as usual. And the next moment, without a bit of warning, Fronzie sprang past them all, even Polly, and flung herself into Mr. King's arms in a perfect torrent of sobs. Oh, let's go back, was all they heard. Dear me, ejaculated the old gentleman to the utmost amazement. And such a time as I've had to get her here, too, he added, staring around at the astonished group, none of whom had a word to say. But Polly stood like a statue. All Jasper's frantic efforts at comfort utterly failed. To think that Fronzie had left her, for any one, even good Mr. King, the room seemed to buzz and everything to turn upside down, and just then she heard another cry. Oh, I want Polly, I do. With a bound Polly was at Mr. King's side, with her face in his coat, close to the little tear-stained one. The fat little arms unclasped their hold and transferred themselves willingly to Polly's neck, and Fronzie hugged up comfortingly to Polly's heart, who poured into her ear all the loving words she had so longed to say. And then there was a great rush and a scuffling noise and something rushed up to Fronzie. Oh, and then, in the next minute, she had her arms around Prince's neck too, who was jumping all over her and trying as hard as he could to express his overwhelming delight. She's the cunningest little thing I ever saw, said Mrs. Whitney enthusiastically afterward. Aside to Mr. King, such lovely yellow hair and such exquisite brown eyes. A combination is very striking. How did her mother ever let her go? She asked impulsively. I didn't believe you could persuade her father. I didn't have any fears if I worked it rightly, said the old gentleman complacently. I wasn't coming without her, Marion, if it could possibly be managed. The truth is that Fronzie had been pining for Polly to such an extent that there was no other way but for her to have Polly. And her mother was just on the point, although it almost killed her, of sending for Polly, as if we should have let her go. He cried in high dudgeon just as if he owned the whole of the peppers and could dispose of them all to suit his fancy. So you see, I was just in time, in the very nick of time, in fact. So her mother was willing, asked his daughter curiously. Oh, she couldn't help it, cried Mr. King, beginning to walk up and down the floor, beaming, as he recalled, his successful strategy. There wasn't the smallest use in thinking of anything else. I told her to adjust stop Polly from ever being a musician if she broke off now, and so to it, you know yourself, Marion, but we should never get the child here again if we let her go now. And I talked, well, I had to talk some, but, well, the upshot is I did get her, and I did bring her, and here she is. And the old gentleman was so delighted with his success that he had to burst out in a series of short happy bits of laughter that occupied quite a space of time. At last he came out of them and wiped his face vigorously. And to think how fond this little girl is of you, father, said Mrs. Whitney, who hadn't yet gotten over her extreme surprise at the old gentleman's complete subjection to the little peppers, he, whom all children had by instinct always approached so carefully, and whom everyone found it necessary to conciliate. Well, she's a nice child, he said, a very nice child, and, straightening himself up to his fullest height and looking so very handsome that his daughter could not conceal her admiration, I shall always take care of Franzi Pepper Marion. So I hope, said Mrs. Whitney, and, father, I do believe they'll repay you, for I do think there's good blood there. These children have a look about them that shows them worthy to be trusted. So they have, so they have, assented Mr. King, and then the conversation dropped. End of chapter 20. Chapter 21 of Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording by Amy Benton. Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney. Chapter 21. Franzi. Franzi was toiling up and down the long oak staircase the next morning, slowly going from one step to the other, drawing each little fat foot into place laboriously, but with a pleased expression on her face, that only gave some small idea of the rapture within. Up and down she had been going for a long time, perfectly fascinated, seeming to care for nothing else in the world but to work her way up to the top of the long flight, only to turn and come down again. She had been going on so for some time, till at last Polly, who was afraid she would tire herself all out, sat down at the foot and begged and implored the little girl who had nearly reached the top to stop and rest. He'd be tired to death, Franzi, she said, looking up at the small figure on its toilsome journey. Oh, you must have gone up a million times. Do sit down, Pet. We're all going out riding, Franzi, this afternoon, and you can't go if you're all tired out. I won't be tired, Polly, said Franzi, turning around and looking at her. Do let me go, just once more. Well, said Polly, who never could refuse her anything. Just once, Franzi, and then you must stop. So Franzi kept on her way rejoicing, while Polly still sat at the lowest stair and drummed impatiently on the stair above her, waiting for her to get through. Jappy came through the hall and found them thus. Hello, Polly, he said, stopping suddenly. What's the matter? Oh, Franzi's been going so, said Polly, looking up at the little figure above them, who had nearly reached the top in delight, that I can't stop her. She has, really, Jappy, almost all the morning. You can't think how crazy she is over it. Is that so, said Jasper, with a little laugh. Hello, Franzi, is it nice? And he tossed a kiss to the little girl and then sat down by Polly. Oh, said Franzi, turning to come down. It's the beautifulest place I ever saw, Jasper, the very beautifulest. I wish I could have her picture painted, whispered Jasper enthusiastically. Look at her now, Polly, quick. Yes, said Polly, isn't she sweet? Sweet, said Jasper, I should think she was. The sunlight, through an aurel window, fell on the childish face and figure, glinting the yellow hair and lighting up the radiant face, that yet had a tender, loving glance for the two who waited for her below. One little foot was poised, just in the act of stepping down to the next lower stair, and the fat hand grasped the polished railing, expressive of just enough caution to make it truly childish. In after years, Jasper never thought of Franzi without bringing up this picture on that April morning, when Polly and he sat at the foot of the stairs and looked up and saw it. Where's Jap, called one of the boys, and then there was a clatter out into the hall. What are you doing, said Van, coming to a full stop of amazement and stared at them. Resting, said Jappy concisely, what do you want, Van? I want you, said Van, we can't do anything without you, Jappy, you know that. Very well, said Jasper, getting up. Come on, Polly, we must go. And Franzi, said Van, anxiously looking up to Franzi who had nearly reached them by this time, we want her too. Of course, said Polly, running up and meeting her to give her a hug. I don't go unless she does. Where are we going, Polly? asked Franzi, looking back longingly to her beloved stairs as she was born off. To the greenhouse, Chick, said Jasper, to help turn her. It'll be good fun, won't it, Polly? What's a greenhouse? asked the child, wonderingly. All green, Jasper. Oh, dear me, said Van, doubling up. Do you suppose she thinks it's painted green? It's green inside, Franzi, dear, so Jasper kindly, and that's the best of all. When Franzi was really let loose in the greenhouse, she thought it decidedly best of all, and she went into nearly as much of a rapture as Polly did on her first visit to it. In a few moments she was cooing and jumping among the plants, while Old Turner, stayed in particular as he was, laughed to see her go. She's your sister, Miss Mary, ain't she? At last he asked, as Franzi bent lovingly over a little pot of heath, and just touched one little leaf carefully with her finger. Yes, said Polly, but she don't look like me. She is like you, said Turner respectfully. If she don't look like you, and the flowers know it too, he added, and they'll love to see her coming, just as they do you. For Polly had won the Old Gardener's heart completely by her passionate love for flowers, and nearly every morning a little nose-gay, fresh and beautiful, came up to the house for Miss Mary. And now nobody liked to think of the time, or to look back to it when Franzi hadn't been in the house, when the little feet went pattering through the halls and over stairs, it seemed to bring sunshine and happiness into everyone's heart just to hear the sounds. Polly and the boys in the school room would look up from their books and nod away brightly to each other, and then fall too faster than ever on their lessons to get through the quicker to be with her again. One thing Franzi always insisted on, and kept to it pertinaciously, and that was to go into the drawing-room with Polly when she went to practice, and there, with one of her numerous family of dolls, to sit down quietly in some corner and wait till she got through. Day after day she did it, until Polly, who was worried to think how tedious it must be for her, would look around and say, oh, Charlie, do run out and play. I want to stay, Franzi would beg in an injured tone. Please let me, Polly. So Polly would jump and give her a kiss, and then, delighted to know that she was there, would go at her practicing with twice the vigor and enthusiasm. But Franzi's chief occupation, at least when she wasn't with Polly, was the entertainment and amusement of Mr. King, and never was she very long absent from his side, which so pleased the old gentleman that he could scarcely contain himself. As with the gravity befitting the importance of her office, she would follow him around in a happy, contented way, that took with him immensely. And nowadays no one ever saw the old gentleman going out of a morning, when Jasper was busy with his lessons, without Franzi by his side. And many people turned to see the portly figure with the handsome head bent to catch the prattle of a little sunny-haired child who trod it along, clasping his hand confidingly. And nearly all of them stopped to gaze a second time, before they could convince themselves that it was, really, that queer, stiff old Mr. King, of whom they had heard so much. And now the accumulation of dolls in the house became something alarming, for Mr. King, observing Franzi's devotion to her family, thought there couldn't possibly be too many of them. So he scarcely ever went out without bringing home one, at least, to add to them, so Franzi had such a remarkable collection as would have driven almost any other child nearly crazy with delight. She, however, regarded them something in the light of a grave responsibility, to be taken care of tenderly, to be watched over carefully, as to just the right kind of bringing up, and to have small morals and manners taught in just the right way. Franzi was playing in the corner of Mrs. Whitney's little boudoir, engaged in sending out invitations for an elaborate tea-party to be given by one of the dolls, when Polly rushed in with consternation her tones, and dismay, written all over her face. "'What is it, dear?' asked Mrs. Whitney, looking up from her embroidery. "'Why?' said Polly. "'How could I?' "'I don't see, but I've forgotten to write to Ramsay to-day. It's Wednesday, you know, and there's most here coming.' And poor Polly looked out in despair, to see the lively little music teacher advancing towards the house at an alarming rate of speed. "'Oh, that's because you were helping Van so long last evening over his lessons,' said Mrs. Whitney. "'I'm so sorry.' "'Oh, no,' cried Polly, honestly, "'I had plenty of time. But I forgot it was Ramsay's day. What will she do?' "'You'll have to let it go now till the afternoon, dear. There's no other way. It can go in the early morning mail.' "'Oh, dear,' sighed Polly, "'I suppose I must.' And she went down to meet Monsir with a very distressed little heart. Franzi laid down the note of invitation she was scribbling and stopped to think, and a moment or two after, at a summons from a caller, Mrs. Whitney left the room. "'I know I ought to,' said Franzi to herself and the dolls. "'Yes, I know I had.' "'Mamsi will feel. "'Oh, so bad when she don't get Polly's letter. "'I know the way. I do, truly.' She got up and went to the window, where she thought a minute, and then, coming back, she took up her little stubby pencil and bending over a small bit of paper. She commenced to trace with laborious effort and much hard-breathing some very queer hieroglyphics that to her seemed to be admirable. As at last she held them up with great satisfaction. "'Good-bye,' she said then, getting up and bowing to the dolls who sat among the interrupted invitations. "'I won't be gone but a little bit of one minute.' And she went out determinedly and shut the door. Nobody saw the little figure going down the carriage-drive, so, of course, nobody could stop her. When Franzi got to the gateway, she looked up and down the street carefully either way. "'Yes,' she said at last, "'it was down here. "'I'm very sure.' I went with grandpa, and immediately turned down the wrong way, and went on and on, grasping carefully her small and by this time rather soiled bit of paper. At last she reached the business streets, and although she didn't come to the post office, she comforted herself by the thought, "'It must be coming soon. I guess it's round this corner.' She kept turning corner after corner. Till at last a little anxious feeling began to tug at her heart, and she began to think, "'I wish I could see Polly.' And now she had all she could do to get out of the way of the crowds of people who were pouring up and down the thoroughfare. Everybody jostled against her and gave her a push. "'Oh, dear,' thought Franzi, "'there's such a many big people.' And then there was no time for anything else but to stumble in and out to keep from being crushed completely beneath their feet. At last an old huckster woman in passing along knocked off her bonnet with the end of her big basket, which flew around and struck Franzi's head, not stopping to look into the piteous brown eyes she strode on without a word. Franzi turned imperfect despair to go down a street that looked as if there might be room enough for her in it. Thoroughly frightened, she plunged over the crossing to reach it. "'Look out!' cried a ringing voice. "'Stop! A little girl will be killed!' said others, with bated breath as a powerful pair of horses whose driver could not pull them up in time, dashed along just in front of her. With one cry Franzi sprang between their feet and reached the opposite curb-stone in safety. The plunge brought her up against a knot of gentlemen who were standing talking on the corner. "'What's this?' asked one, whose back, being next to the street, hadn't seen the commotion, as a small object dashed into the midst and fell up against him. "'Didn't you see that narrow escape?' asked a second, whose face had paled in witnessing it. "'This little girl was nearly killed a moment ago, careless driving enough.' And he put out his hand to catch the child. "'Bless me!' cried a third whirling around suddenly. "'Bless me! You don't say so! Why?' With a small cry, but gladsome and distinct in its utterance, Franzi gave one look. "'Oh! Grandpa!' was all she could say. "'Oh! Where?' Mr. King couldn't possibly have uttered another word, for then his breath gave out entirely as he caught the small figure. "'I went to the post office,' said the child, clinging to him in delight, her tangled hair waving over the little white face into which a faint pink color was quickly coming back. "'Only, it wouldn't come!' And I walked and walked. "'Where is it, Grandpa?' And Franzi gazed up anxiously into the old gentleman's face. She went to the post office, turning around on the others fiercely as if they had contradicted him. "'Why, my child, what were you going to do?' "'Mamsi's letter,' said Franzi, holding up for inspection the precious bit, which by this time was decidedly forlorn. "'Polly couldn't write, and Mamsi feels so bad not to get one she would really,' said the child, shaking her head very soberly, for Polly said so. "'And you've been—' "'Oh! I can't think of it,' said Mr. King, tenderly taking her up in his shoulder. "'Well, we must get home now, or I don't know what Polly will do. And without stopping to say a word to his friends, he hailed a passing carriage, and putting Franzi in, he commanded the driver to get them as quickly as possible to their destination. In a few moments they were home. Mr. King pushed into the house with his burden. "'Don't anybody know?' he burst out, puffing up the stairs, and scolding fiercely at every step, enough to take better care of this child than to have such goings on. "'What is the matter, father?' asked Mrs. Whitney, coming up the stairs after him. "'What's happened out of the way?' "'Out of the way,' roared the old gentleman irassably, well. "'If you want Franzi racing off to the post office by herself and nearly getting killed, poor child, yes, Marian, I say, nearly killed,' he continued. "'What do you mean?' gasped Mrs. Whitney. "'Why, where have you been?' asked the old gentleman, who wouldn't let Franzi get down out of his arms under any circumstances. So there she lay, poking up her head like a little bird, trying to say she wasn't in the least hurt. "'Where has everybody been, not to know where she'd gone?' he exclaimed. "'Where's Polly and Jasper, all of them?' "'Polly's taking her music lesson,' said Mrs. Whitney. "'Oh, Franzi, darling!' and she bent over the child in her father's arms and nearly smothered her with kisses. "'It was a naughty horse,' said Franzi, sitting up straight and looking at her. "'Or I should have found the post office. I lost my bonnet, too,' she added, for the first time realizing her loss, putting her hand to her head. Bad old woman knocked it off with a basket, and now Mamsey won't get her letter. And she waved the bit, which she still grasped firmly between her thumb and finger, sadly, toward Mrs. Whitney. "'Oh, dear,' groaned that lady, how could we talk before her? And who would have thought it?' "'Darling!' And she took the little girl from her father's arm, who at last let her go. "'Don't think of your mamma's letter. We'll tell her how it was.' And she sat down in the first chair that she could reach, while Franzi put her tumbled little head down on the kind shoulder, and gave a wary little sigh. "'It was so long,' she said. "'And my shoes hurt.' And she thrust out the dusty little boots that spoke pathetically of the long and unaccustomed tramp. "'Poor little lamb!' said Mr. King, getting down to unbutton them. "'What a shame!' he mumbled, pulling off half of the buttons in his frantic endeavours to get them off quickly. But Franzi never heard the last of his observations. For in a minute she was fast to sleep. The tangled hair fell off from the tired little face. The breathing came peaceful and regular. And with her little hand, fast class to Mrs. Whitney's, she slept on and on. Polly came flying upstairs, two or three at a time, and humming a scrap of her last piece that she had just conquered. "'Franzy!' she called with a merry little laugh, "'Where? Hush!' said Mr. King, warningly. And then, just because he couldn't explain there without waking Franzi up, he took hold of Polly's two shoulders and marched her into the next room, where he carefully closed the door, and told her the whole thing, using his own discretion about the very narrow escape she had passed through. He told enough, however, for Polly to see what had been so near to them, and she stood there so quietly, alternately pailing and flushing as he proceeded, till at last, when he finished, Mr. King was frightened almost to death at the sight of her face. "'Oh, goodness me, Polly,' he said, striding up to her, and then fumbling around on the table to find a glass of water. "'You are not going to faint, are you?' "'Franzy's all well now. She isn't hurt in the least. I assure you. I assure you. Where is a glass of water?' "'Marry not to see that there's some here, stupid Jane!' And at utter bewilderment he was fussing here and there, knocking down so many things in general that the noise soon brought Polly to with a little gasp. "'Oh, don't mind me, Mr. King. I'm—' "'I'm all well.' "'So you are,' said the old gentleman, setting up a toilette bottle that he had knocked over. "'So you are. I didn't think you'd go and tumble over Polly. I really didn't.' And he beamed admirably down on her. And then Polly crept away to Mrs. Whitney's side, where she threw herself down on the floor to watch the little sleeping figure. Her hand was gathered up into the kind one that held Fronze's. And there they watched, and watched, and waited. "'Oh, dear,' said Fronze, suddenly, turning over with a little sigh, and bobbing up her head to look at Polly. "'I'm so hungry. I haven't had anything to eat in ever, ever so long, Polly.' And she gazed at her with a very injured countenance. "'So you must be,' said Mrs. Whitney, kissing the flushed little face. Polly must ring the bell for Jane to bring this little bird some crumbs. "'Can I have a great many?' asked Fronze, lifting her eyes with a dewy look of sleep, still lingering in them. "'As many as two birdies?' "'Yes, dear,' said Mrs. Whitney, laughing, "'I think as many as three little birdies could eat, Fronze.' "'Oh,' said Fronze, and leaned back, satisfied, while Polly gave the order, which was presently followed by Jane, with a well-filled tray. "'Now,' said Jappy, when he heard the account of the adventure, I say, that letter ought to go to your mother, Polly. "'Oh,' said Polly, it would scare Mansy most to death, Jappy. "'Don't tell her the whole,' said Jasper quickly. "'I didn't mean that, about the horses and all of that. Only enough to let her see how Fronze tried to get it to her. "'I'm going to write to your brother, Joel,' said Van, drawing up to the library table. "'I'll scare him, Polly, I guess. He won't tell your mother.' "'Your quote tracks would scare him enough without anything else,' said Percy pleasantly, who really could write very nicely. But Polly broke out in an agony. "'Oh, no, Van, you mustn't! You mustn't!' "'If Van does,' said Jasper, decidedly, it'll be the last time he writes to the Brown House. I can tell him. And besides, he'll go to Coventry. This had the desired effect. "'Let's all write,' said Polly. So a space on the table was cleared, and the children gathered around it. When there was a great scratching of pens and clearing of ideas, which presently resulted in a respectable budget of letters, into which Fronze's was lovingly tucked in the centre, and then they all filed out to put into the letter-box in the hall, for Thomas to mail with the rest in the morning. And I'll tell you, Marion, what I'm going to do.' Mr. King's voice was pitched on a higher key than usual, and extreme determination was expressed in every line of his face. He had met Mrs. Whitney at the foot of the staircase, dressed for paying visits. "'Oh, are you going out?' he said, glancing impatiently at her attire. Then I just started to speak to you on a matter of great importance, of the greatest importance indeed,' he repeated irritably, as he stood with one gloved hand resting on the balustrade. "'Oh, it's no matter, Father,' she replied pleasantly. "'If it's really important, I can postpone going for another day, and—' "'Really important,' repeated the old gentleman, irassably. "'Haven't I just told you it's of the greatest importance? There's no time to be lost, and with my state of health, too. It's of the utmost consequence that I shouldn't be troubled. It's very bad for me. I should think you would realize that, Marion.' "'I'll tell Thomas to take the carriage directly back,' said Mrs. Whitney, stepping to the door. "'Or stay, Father. I'll just run up and send the children out for a little drive. The horses ought to be used, too, you know,' she said lightly, preparing to run up to carry out the changed plan. "'Never mind that now,' said Mr. King abruptly. "'I want you to give me your attention directly.' And walking towards the library door, getting a fresh accession of impatience with every step, he beckoned her to follow. But his progress was somewhat impeded by Little Dick—or rather, Little Dick and Prince—who were standing at the top of the stairs to see Mrs. Whitney off. When he saw his mother retrace her steps, supposing her yielding to the urgent entreaties that he was sending after her to stay at home, the child suddenly changed his good-byes to vociferous howls of delight, and speedily began to plunge down the stairs to welcome her. But the staircase was long, and Little Dick was in a hurry, and besides, Prince was in the way. The consequence was—nobody knew just how—that a bumping noise struck into the conversation that made the two below in the hall look up quickly, to see the child and dog come rolling over the stairs at a rapid rate. "'Sounds,' cried the old gentleman, "'here, Thomas, Thomas!' But as that individual was waiting patiently outside the door on the carriage-box, there was small hope of his being in time to catch the boy, who was already in his mother's arms, not quite clear by the suddenness of the whole thing as to how he came there. "'Oh, oh, Dickie's hurt,' cried someone from above, followed by everyone within hearing distance, and all came rushing to the spot to ask a thousand questions, all in the same minute. There sat Mrs. Whitney in one of the big-carved chairs, with Little Dick in her lap, and Prince walking gravely around and around him, with the greatest expression of concern on his noble face. Mr. King was storming up and down, and calling on everybody to bring a bowl of water and some brown paper and be quick. Interpolated was showers of blame on Prince for sitting on the stairs and tripping people up, while Dick, meanwhile, was laughing and chatting and enjoying the distinction of making so many people run and of otherwise being the object of so much attention. "'I don't think he was sitting on the stairs, Father,' said Jasper, who, when he saw that Dickie was really unhurt, began to vindicate his dog. "'He never does that, do you, sir?' he said, patting the head that was lifted up to him, as if to be defended. "'And I expect we shall all be killed some day, Jasper,' said Mr. King, warming with his subject, and forgetting all about the brown paper and water which he had ordered and which was now waiting for him at his elbow, just by that creature. "'He's the noblest,' began Jasper, throwing his arms around his neck, an example which was immediately followed by the Whitney boys and the two little peppers. When Dick saw this he began to struggle to get down to add himself to the number. "'Where's the brown paper?' began Mr. King, seeing this and whirling around suddenly. "'Hasn't anybody brought it yet?' "'Here, tis, sir,' said Jane, handing him a generous supply. "'Oh, I don't want to,' cried little Dick and dismay, seeing his grandfather advance with an enormous piece of paper, which previously wet in a bowl of water was now unpleasantly clammy and wet. "'Oh, no, I don't want to be all stuck up with horrid old wet paper.' "'Hush, dear,' said his mom and soothingly. Grandpa wants to put it on, there, as Mr. King dropped it scientifically on his head, and then proceeded to paste another one over his left eye. "'And I hope they'll all drop off,' cried Dick savagely, shaking his head to facilitate matters. "'Yes, I do, every single one of them,' he added, with an expression that seen under the brown bits was anything but benign. "'Was Prince on the stairs, Dick?' asked Jasper, coming up and peering under his several adornments. "'Tell us how you fell.' "'No,' said little Dick, crossly, and giving his head another shake. "'He was up in the hall. Oh, dear, I want to get down.' And he began to stretch his legs and to struggle with so much energy that two or three pieces fell off and landed on the floor to his intense delight. "'How did you fall, then?' said Jasper, preserveringly. "'Can't you remember, Dickie, boy?' "'I pushed Princey,' said Dick, feeling with freedom from some of his encumbrances, more disposed for conversation, and made him go ahead. And then I fell on top of him. That's all.' "'I guess Prince has saved him, father,' cried Jasper, turning around with eyes full of pride and love on the dog, who was trying as hard as he could to tell the children how much he enjoyed their caresses. And so it all came about that the consultation so summarily interrupted was never held, for, as Mrs. Whitney was about retiring that evening, Mr. King wrapped at her door on his way to bed. "'Oh,' he said, popping in his head in response to her invitation to come in. "'It's nothing. Only, I thought I'd just tell you a word or two about what I've decided to do.' "'Do you mean what you wanted to see me about this afternoon?' asked Mrs. Whitney, who hadn't thought of it since. "'Do come in, father.' "'It's no consequence,' said the old gentleman. "'No consequence at all,' he repeated, waving his hand emphatically. "'Because I've made up my mind and arranged all my plans. It's only about the peppers.' "'The peppers?' repeated Mrs. Whitney. "'Yes. Well, the fact of it is, I'm going to have them here for a visit, the whole of them, you understand. That's all there is to it, and I shall go down and see about all the arrangements, Jasper and I, day after tomorrow,' said the old gentleman, as if he owned the whole pepper family inclusive and was the only responsible person to be consulted about their movements.' "'Will they come down?' asked Mrs. Whitney doubtfully. "'Come, of course,' said Mr. King sharply. "'There isn't any other way, or else Mrs. Pepper will be sending for her children, and of course you know, Marion, we couldn't allow that. Well, that's all. So good-night!' And the door closed on his retreating footsteps. And so Polly and Franzi soon knew that Mamsey and the boys were to be invited, and then the grand-house, big as it was, didn't seem large enough to contain them. "'I declare,' said Jasper, next day, when they had been laughing and planning till they were all as Marius Griggs. If this old dungeon don't begin to seem a little like the little brown-house, Polly.' "'Twon't,' answered Polly, hopping around on one toe, followed by Franzi, till Mamsey and the boys get here, Jasper King. "'Well, they'll be here soon,' said Jaby, pleased at Polly's exultation over it, for we're going to-morrow to do the inviting. "'And Polly's to write a note to slip into Marion's,' said Mr. King, putting his head in at the door. "'And if you do want your mother to come, child, why, you better mention it as strong as you can.' "'I'm going to write,' said Franzi, pulling up after a prolonged skip all out of breath. "'I'm going to write and beg Mamsey, dear. Then she'll come, I guess.' "'I guess she will,' said Mr. King, looking at her. "'You go on, Franzi, and write, and that letter shall go straight in my coat-pocket alone by itself. "'Shall it?' asked Franzi, coming up to him, and nobody will take it out to you give it to Mamsey? "'No, nobody shall touch it,' said the old gentleman, stooping to kiss the upturned face, till I put it in her own hand.' "'Then,' said Franzi, in the greatest satisfaction, I'm going to write this very one minute, and she marched away to carry her resolve into immediate execution. Before they got through they had quite a bundle of invitations and pleadings, for each of the three boys insisted on doing his part, so that when they were finally done up in an enormous envelope and put into Mr. King's hands, he told them with a laugh that there was no use for Jappy and himself to go, as those were strong enough to win almost anybody's consent. However, the next morning they set off, happy in their hopes and bearing the countless messages which the children would come up every now and then to entrust to them, declaring that they had forgotten to put them in the letters. "'You'd had to have had an express wagon to carry the letters if you had put them all in,' at last cried Jasper. "'You've given us a bushel of things to remember.' "'And, oh, don't forget to ask Ben to bring cherry,' cried Polly, the last minute as they were driving off, although she had put it in her letter at least a dozen times. "'And, oh dear, of course the flowers can't come.' "'We've got plenty here,' said Jasper. "'You would not know what to do with them, Polly.' "'Well, I do wish Mamzy would give some to kind Mrs. Henderson then,' said Polly, on the steps clasping her hands anxiously, while Jasper told Thomas to wait till he had heard the rest of the message. "'And to Grandma, you know Grandma Baskham. She was so good to us,' she said impulsively. "'And, oh, don't let her forget to carry some to dear, dear Dr. Fisher. And don't forget to give him our love, Jappy, don't forget that.' And Polly ran down the steps to the carriage door, where she gazed up imploringly to the boy's face. "'I guess I won't,' cried Jasper. "'When I think how he saved your eyes, Polly, he's the best fellow I know,' he finished, with an impulse lip burst. "'And don't let Mamzy forget to carry some in to good old Mr. and Mrs. Beebe in town, where Franzi got her shoes, you know. That is, if Mamzy can,' she added, remembering how very busy her mother would be. "'I'll carry them myself,' said Jasper. "'We're going to stay over till the next day, you know.' "'Oh!' cried Polly, radiant as a rose. "'Will you? Really? Jappy, you're so good!' "'Yes, I will,' said Jasper. "'Everything you want done, Polly. Anything else?' he asked quickly as Mr. King, impatient to be off, showed unmistakable symptoms of hurrying up Thomas. "'Oh, no,' said Polly. "'Only do look at the little brown house, Jasper, as much as you can.' And Polly left the rest unfinished. Jasper seemed to understand, however, for he smiled brightly as he said, looking into the brown eyes. "'I'll do it all, Polly, every single thing,' and then they were off. Mamzy and the boys could Polly ever wait till the next afternoon that would bring the decision. Long before it was possibly time for the carriage to come back from the depot, Polly, with Franzi and the three boys, who, improving Jasper's absence, had waited upon her with the grace and persistence of cavaliers of the olden time, were drawn up at the old stone gateway. "'Oh, dear,' said Van, with an impatient fling, they never will come. "'Won't they, Polly?' asked Franzi anxiously and standing quite still. "'Dear me, yes,' said Polly with a little laugh. "'Van only means they'll be a good while, Franzi. They're sure to come some time.' "'Oh,' said Franzi, quite relieved, and she commenced her capering again in extreme enjoyment. "'I'm going,' said little Dick, to run down and meet them. Accordingly off he went, and was immediately followed by Percy, who started with the laudable desire of bringing him back. But finding it so very enjoyable, he stayed himself and froliced with Dick, till the others, hearing all the fun, all took hold of hands and flew off to join them. "'Now,' said Polly, when they recovered their breath a little, let's all turn our backs to the road, and the minute we hear the carriage we must whirl around, and the one who sees them first can ask first, is Mamesi coming?' "'All right,' cried the boys. "'Turn round, Dick,' said Percy, with a little shove, for Dick was staring with all his might right down the road, and so they all flew around till they looked like five statues, set up to grace the sidewalk. "'Suppose a big dog should come,' suggested Van, pleasantly, and snap at our backs. But this little Dick gave a small howl and turned around in a fright. "'There isn't any dog coming,' said Polly. "'What does make you say such awful things, then?' "'I hear a noise,' said Francie, and so they all whirled around in expectation. But it proved to be only a market wagging, coming at a furious pace down the road, with somebody's belated dinner, so they all had to whirl back again as before. The consequence was that when the carriage did come nobody heard it. Jasper, looking out, was considerably astonished to see, drawn up in solemn array with their backs to the road, five children who stood as if completely petrified. "'What in the world,' he began, and called the Thomas to stop, whose energetic, woa, reached the ears of the frozen line, caused it to break ranks, and spring into life at an alarming rate. "'Oh, is she coming, Jappy? Is she? Is she?' they all screamed together, swarming up to the carriage door and over the wheels. "'Yes,' said Jasper, looking at Polly. At that Francie made a little cheese and sat right down on the pavement in an ecstasy. "'Get in here, all of you,' said Jasper, merely. Help Polly in first, for shame, Dick, don't scramble so.' "'Dick always shoves,' said Percy, escorting Polly up with quite an air. "'I don't either,' said Dick. "'You pushed me awful just a little while ago,' he added indignantly. "'Do say awfully,' corrected Van, crowding up to get in. "'You leave off your leaves,' so he finished critically. "'I don't know anything about any leaves,' said little Dick, who, usually so good-natured, was now thoroughly out of temper. I want to get in and go home.' And he showed evident symptoms of breaking into a perfect roar. "'There,' said Polly, lilting him up. There he goes, now. One, two, three. And little Dick was spun in so merrily that the tears changed into a happy laugh. "'Now then, bundle in, all the rest of you,' put in Mr. King, who seemed to be in the best of spirits. "'That's it. Go on, Thomas.' "'When are they coming?' Polly found time to ask in the general jumble. "'In three weeks from tomorrow,' said Jasper. "'And everything's all right, Polly. And the whole of them, cherry and all, will be here then.' "'Oh,' said Polly. "'Here we are,' cried Van, jumping out almost before the carriage door was open. "'Mama, mama,' he shouted to Mrs. Whitney in the doorway. "'The peppers are coming, and the little brown house, too. Everything and everybody.' "'They are,' said Percy, as wild as his brother, and everything's just splendid, Jappy said so. "'Everything's coming,' said little Dick, tumbling up the steps, and the bird, and, and, and maimsy,' finished Bronzy, impatient to add her part, while Polly didn't say anything, only looked. "'Three weeks, I can't wait,' thought Polly at first, and counting over the many hours before the happy day would come. But on Jasper's suggesting that they should all do something to get ready for the visitors, and have a general trimming up with the vines and flowers besides, the time passed away much more rapidly than was feared. Polly chosen new and more difficult piece of music to learn to surprise maimsy. Bronzy had aspired to an elaborate pincushion, that was nearly done, made of bits of worsted and canvas, over whose surface she had wandered according to her own sweet will, in a way charming to behold. "'I don't know what to do,' said Van in despair, because I don't know what she'd like. Can you draw her a little picture?' asked Polly. She'd like that. "'Does she like pictures?' asked Van with the greatest interest. "'Yes, indeed,' said Polly. I guess you'd think so if you could see her.' "'I know what I shall do,' with a dignified air, said Percy, who couldn't draw and therefore look down on all Van's attempts, with the greatest scorn. And it won't be any old pictures, either,' he added. "'What is it, old fellow?' asked Jasper. Tell on, now, your grand plan.' "'No, I'm not going to tell,' said Percy, with the greatest secrecy, until the very day. "'What will you do, sir?' asked Jasper, pulling one of Dixie's, who stood waiting to speak, as if his mind was made up, and he wouldn't be changed for any one. "'I shall give Ben one of my kitties, the littlest and the best,' he said, with heroic self-sacrifice. A perfect shout greeted this announcement. "'Fancy Ben going round with one of those awful little things,' whispered Jappy to Polly, who shook at the very thought. "'Don't laugh. Oh, it's dreadful to laugh at him, Jappy,' she said, when she could get voice enough. "'No, I shan't tell,' said Percy, when the fun had subsided, who, finding that no one teased him to divulge his wonderful plan, kept trying to harrow up their feeling by parading it. "'You didn't, then,' screamed Van, who was nearly dying to know. I don't believe it's so very dreadful much, anyway. "'What's yours, Jappy?' asked Polly. "'I know yours will be just splendid.' "'Oh, no, it isn't,' said Jasper, smiling brightly. "'But as I didn't know what better I could do, I'm going to get a little stand, and then bake some flowers of Turner to fill it, and—' "'Why, that's mine,' screamed Percy, in the greatest disappointment. "'That's just what I was going to do.' "'Ho, ho,' shouted Van. "'I thought you wouldn't tell, Mr. Percy. Ho, ho.' "'Ho, ho,' echoed Dick.' "'Hush,' said Jappy. "'Why, Percy, I didn't know you had thought of that,' he said kindly. "'Well, then, you do it, and I'll take something else. I don't care as long as Mrs. Pepper gets them.' "'I didn't exactly mean that,' began Percy. Van was roots and little flowers growing. "'He means what he gets in the woods,' said Polly, explaining. "'Don't you, Percy?' "'Yes,' said the boy, and then I was going to put stones and things in among them to make them look pretty.' "'And they will,' cried Jasper. "'Go ahead, Percy, they'll look real pretty, and then Turner will give you some flowers for the stand. I know. I'll ask him to-morrow.' "'Will you,' cried Percy, that'll be fine.' "'Mine is the best,' said Van, just at this juncture. But it was said a little anxiously as he saw how things were prospering with Percy, for my flowers in the picture will always be there and your old roots and things will die.' "'What will yours be, then, Jappy?' asked Polly, very soberly. The stand of flowers would have been just lovely, and you do fix them so nice,' she added sorrowfully. "'Oh, I'll find something else,' said Jappy, cheerfully, who had quite set his heart on giving the flowers. Let me see. I might carve her bracket.' "'Do,' cried Polly, clapping her hands enthusiastically, and do carve a little bird like the one you did on your father's.' "'I will,' said Jasper, just exactly like it. Now we've got something to do before we welcome the little brown house-people. So let's fly at it, and the time won't seem so long.' At last the day came when they could all say, to-morrow they'll be here. Well, the vines were all up, and pots of lovely climbing ferns, and all a matter of pretty green things had been arranged, and rearranged a dozen times, till everything was pronounced perfect, and a big green welcome over the library door, made of laurel leaves, by the patient fingers of all the children, stared down into their admiring eyes as much as to say, I'll do my part.' "'Oh, dear,' said Francie, when evening came, and the children were, as usual, assembled on the rug before the fire, their tongues running wild with anticipation and excitement. "'I don't mean to go to bed at all, Polly. I don't, truly.' "'Oh, yes you do,' said Polly, laughing. Then you'll be all fresh and rested to see Mamie when she comes.' "'Oh, no,' said Francie, shaking her head soberly, and speaking in an injured tone. "'I'm not one bit tired, Polly. Not one bit.' "'You needn't go yet, Francie,' said Polly. "'You can sit up half an hour yet, if you want to.' "'But I don't want to go to bed at all,' said the child anxiously. "'For then I may be asleep when Mamie comes, Polly.' "'She's afraid she won't wake up,' said Percy, laughing. "'Oh, there'll be oceans of time before they come, Francie.' "'What is oceans?' asked Francie, coming up and looking at him doubtfully. "'He means Mamie won't get here till afternoon,' said Polly, catching her up and kissing her. "'Then I guess she'll be awake,' Francie pet. "'So Francie allowed herself to be persuaded, at the proper time, to be carried off and inducted into her little nightgown, and when Polly went up to bed, she found the little pincushion, with its hieroglyphics that she had insisted on taking to bed with her, still tightly grasped, in the little fat hand. "'She'll roll over and muss it,' thought Polly, and then she'll feel bad in the morning. "'I guess I'd better lay it on the bureau.' She drew it carefully away, without waking the little sleeper, and placed it where she knew Francie's eyes would rest on it first thing in the morning. It was going on towards the middle of the night when Francie, whose exciting dreams of Mamie and the boys wouldn't let her rest quietly, woke up, and in the very first flash she thought of her cushion. "'Why, where?' she said in the softest little tones, only half awake. "'Why, Polly, where is it?' and she began to feel all around her pillow to see if it had fallen down there. But Polly's brown head, with its crowd of anticipations and busy plans, was far away off in dreamland, and she breathed on and on perfectly motionless. "'I guess I'd better,' said Francie to herself, now thoroughly awake and sitting up in bed. Not wake her up. Poor Polly's tired. I can find it myself. I know I can.' So she slipped out of bed, and prowling around on the floor felt all about for the little cushion. "'Tisn't here. Oh, no, it isn't,' she sighed at last, and getting up she stood still a moment lost in thought. "'Maybe Jane's put it out in the hall,' she said, as a bright thought struck her. "'I can get it there,' and out she patterned over the soft carpet to the table at the end of the long hall, where Jane often placed the children's playthings overnight. As she was coming back after her fruitless search, she stopped to peep over the balustrade down the fascinating flight of stairs, now so long and dark, just then a faint little ray of light shot up from below and met her eyes. "'Why?' she said in gentle surprise. "'They're all downstairs. I guess they're making something for Mamesee. I'm going to see.' So carefully picking her way over the stairs with her little bare feet, and holding on to the balustrade at every step, she went slowly down, guided by the light, which, as she neared the bottom of the flight, she saw came from the library door. "'Oh, isn't it funny?' and she gave a little happy laugh. They won't know I'm coming. And now the soft little feet went pattering over the thick carpet until she stood just within the door. There she stopped perfectly still. Two figures, big and powerful, were bending over something that Francie couldn't see, between the two big windows. A lantern on the floor flung its rays over them as they were busily occupied, and the firelight from the dying coals made the whole stand out distinctly to the gaze of the motionless little figure. "'Why, what are you doing with my grandpa's things?' The soft clear notes fell like a thunderbolt upon the men. With a start they brought themselves up and stared, only to see a little white-robed figure, with its astonished eyes uplifted with childlike earnest gaze, as she waited for her answer. For an instant they were powerless to move and stood as if frozen on the spot, till Francie, moving one step forward, piped forth, naughty men, to touch my dear grandpa's things. With a smothered cry one of them started forward, with arm uplifted, but the other sprang like a cat and intercepted the blow. "'Stop,' was all he said. A noise above the stairs, a rushing sound through the hall. Something will save Francie, for the household is aroused.' The two men sprang through the window, having no time to catch the lantern or their tools, as Polly, followed by one and another, rushed in and surrounded the child. "'What?' gasped Polly, and got no further. "'Stop! Thief!' roared Mr. King, hurrying over the stairs. The children, frightened at the strange noises, began to cry and scream as they came running through the halls to the spot. Jasper rushed for the men-servants. And there stood Francie, surrounded by the pale group. "'Twas two naughty men,' she said, lifting her little face with the grieved, astonished look still in the big brown eyes. And they were touching my grandpa's things, Polly. "'I should think they were,' said Jasper, running over amongst the few scattered tools in the lantern, to the windows where, on the floor, was a large table-cover, hastily caught up by the corners into which a vast variety of silver, jewelry, and quantities of costly articles were gathered ready for flight. "'They've broken open your safe, father,' he cried in excitement. "'See?' And they put up their hand, one man did, went on Francie. And the other said, "'Stop! Oh, Polly, you hurt me,' she cried, as Polly, unable to bear the strain any longer, held her so tightly she could hardly breathe. "'Go on,' said Jasper. How did they look?' "'All black,' said the child, pushing back her wavy hair to look at him. "'Very all-black, Jasper.' "'And their faces, Francie,' said Mr. King, getting down on his old knees on the floor beside her. "'Bless me, somebody else ask her. I can't talk.' "'How did their faces look, Francie, dear?' asked Jasper, taking one of the cold hands in his. Can't you think?' "'Oh,' said Francie, and then she gave a funny little laugh. "'Big holes, Jasper, that's all they had. She means they were masked,' whispered Jasper. "'What did you get up for?' Mrs. Whitney asked. "'Dear child, what made you get out of bed?' "'Why, my pin-cushion,' said Francie, looking worried at once. I couldn't find it, and—' But just as this, without a bit of warning, Polly tumbled over in a dead faint. And then it was all confusion again. And so, on the following afternoon, it turned out that the peppers, about whose coming there had been so many plans and expectations, just walked in, as if they had always lived there. The greater excitement completely swallowed up the less."