Five Little Peppers Grown Up

Polly in dismay, "mu

sher firmly, "your father

to Mr. Bayley. Mightn't it be just as if he hadn't spoken, Mamsie?" She ca

must be told. Why, Polly, that isn't like you, child, to

't ever in all this w

Polly vehemently, "only

, "this doesn't seem lik

o badly to have it know

said her mother firmly, "and I must tel

harp tone of distress, "you wouldn't

e ought to know everything that concerns you, Poll

nds. "Grandpapa will show Mr. Bayley that he doesn't l

; and then to take such a way to do it; it wasn't a nice thing at all, child, for Mr. Bayley to do," here Mrs

n to speak then-th

ow any better, or at least, he didn't think, and that's enough to say about that. But as for not telling Mr. King about it, why, it isn't

the floor. "Now it will be perfectly dreadful for Mr. Bayley. Grandpapa will be very angry; h

Jasper's voice,

ng away from his call. "Oh! I can't go out; he'll g

there was a r

d Polly fr

ee you a

oor, and tried to lift he

hing amiss with her, "I came to tell you firs

Oh, Jasper," as she saw that his face was drawn with

aw a yellow paper in his hand. "Oh, Jasper,

nd and held it firmly, "you will hel

olly, clinging to his hand. "Don

ning; the horses ran," said Jasper hurriedly. "The teleg

have fallen had he not caught her. "I won't faint," she cried, "Jas

am so afraid I shall break it to him too sharply; and you kn

s, but Polly said bravely, "Yes, I'll go, Jasper." And presently, t

hin. "Oh, dear me!" exclaimed P

ing, and as they stood there irresolutely

ly!" she

e must see father. But Polly will go and tell you," and i

y step. "The presumption of the fellow! How did he dare without speakin

r, "I've had a telegr

y. "I do wish Mason wouldn't be so abrupt in his movement

peak, but instead

taking his hand in both of hers. "Oh, we must tell you something very bad, and

chair to steady himself. "Tell me at once, Polly," he said hoars

atter without delay, "but oh, Grandpapa, it may not be

DON'T KNOW HOW TO T

my boy," he said through white lips; when it was a

Jasper, "you

Philip packs quickly, and that you are ready. And now, Polly," the old gentleman tur

ed Polly, "if I only

un, child, and ask your mother if you may go. Send Phronsi

he east doorway of the King mansion, an hour later. "

looked as if she wanted to cry, but her hands held the basket

irls. "Oh, Mrs. Fisher,

ly

the little reception room in an angle of th

into a chair, and herself on an ottoman. "Why, we were going to make up

rl so exactly, that Mrs. Fisher had no re

complaint. "Perhaps she'll give it up, after all," she added, brightening. "Now I most

d Joel to write the notes to the pupils explaining matters. But never you fear, Alexia, t

ming to a pause to take breath, "that's some comfort. To th

ed Cathie Harrison suddenly. "He

at the tiny watch in one corner. "We haven't the time. Yes-com

rk," said Mrs. Fisher, with

rs. Fisher for," she said, when they were well in the hall, "she shows

ie Harrison, who had privately done a good

"Well, do come on. Oh, Joe!" a

pes sprawled before him, his head on his hands and his elbows on the table.

exia with a laugh; "doesn't he, girl

, scarcely giving them a glance. "Go away, Alexia; you ca

a, with a cold shoulder to Pickering, who had been c

el radiantly; "then I

nd he beam

rawing up a chair to the other side of t

ried, spreading a clear p

spoiling all Polly's note paper. I wouldn't le

sort of thing for you, A

patiently drumming on the table, as the ot

ls, "and we'll toss thos

I can get the place ready;" and he began to pile the books on a chair. As he went around to

I'm willing," said Pickering to himself s

n, "isn't it perfectly dreadful to ha

xclaime

a with a nudge. "Haven

son, than to

"NOW DO SET US

etort, and bit her l

" cried Alexia, pulling off her gloves;

e," said Joel; "that i

d Alexia, peering over

ghe

girl was expecting her over this morning. Oh, she's a pre

Alexia. "She was going to play a solo, Polly said

should stay away as long as Aunty needed her, but she hope

claimed Alexia, leaving h

d Joel. "I don't care, on

, "I can't bear to write of the ac

o use," she cried, running up to Pickering, who, his hands in his pockets, had his back to them all, and was looking

tonishment. "Oh, dear me!" and he pulled his rig

and never said cross things, and oh, dear me!" cried

y. "It's bad enough to have so much trouble in the world, without get

"Oh, yes, Mrs. Whitney's accident, you

walked off abruptly, and she ran back

e been mean enough to hurt him when he was bearing

me, will you, till I g

y one day,

d Polly, leaning over to drop a kiss

her hands to draw

smay, "be careful; you know doctor

n little smile. "Oh, Polly," when the kiss and two or three others ha

firmly. "Oh, Aunty, I shall be so glad

position Mrs. Whitney best liked, and

said Mrs. Whitney, "when you love your work s

e beavers. Indeed, Aunty, I believe they'll practice a great dea

ef. "Now I do believe I shall get up very soon. But Jasper must go back; it won't do for him to stay

that you are so much better, why, I do b

her hand under her cheek, and the first thing Polly knew she

d I will run and speak to Jasper this very minute

irl, as she was running through the hall, wh

at the domestics had admitted any

e said then I must wait, for I could not see Mr. King now, and he put me up in that little reception room

lfilled, and her gaze wandered confidently around the p

you; but you mustn't be disappointed if Grandpapa doesn't feel able to

y of interrupting, "but he will see me, I know

e him?" asked Polly, her own eyes

l him any name," sai

unless I carry your name to him," Polly said quite firml

e girl; "well, you may

s daughter

met her ear. "Very well," she said, "I will

e Mr. King in velvet

e was to be admitted," he exc

red to draw him off, but t

d quickly, "I am Ch

aimed the old gentleman, lo

but she quickly recovered herself. "It isn't money I want, Mr. King," an

e said, pointing to the same little reception room that Charlotte had de