Part 8 (2/2)
”That's all right, he's all for his Uncle Davie. Here, you take him Billy Bob and I'll help Milly roll up the twins. She can bring down Crimie while I bring them,” and as he spoke he began a rapid swathing of the two limp little bodies from the white crib.
”But, David,” gasped Milly, ”it is _impossible_! They are not dressed--they will take cold--”
”The limousine is as hot as smoke--can't hurt 'em--plenty of blankets,”
with which he thrust the nodding young Crimie into her arms and lifted carefully the large bundle which contained both twins in his own. ”Go on!” he commanded the paralyzed pair. ”I will pull the door to with my free foot.” And he actually forced the helpless parents of the four to embark with him on this most unusual of adventures.
When they were all seated in the car Milly looked at Billy Bob and burst into a gale of hysterical laughter. But Billy Bob's s.p.u.n.k was up by this time and he was all on the side of the resourceful David.
”Why not?” he asked brazenly. ”Nine-tenths of the people in the world take the kids with them on all the frolics they get, why not we? _They_ know it's all right, _they_ haven't objected.” And indeed there had not been a single chirp from any of the swathings. Big Brother was the only one awake and he was, as usual, entranced at the very sight of his Uncle David, who held the twins with practised skill on his knees.
”Now,” he said jubilantly, ”don't anybody warn Phoebe and I'm going to put them on the big divan with her presents. You'll see something crash, I'm thinking.”
And it was worth it all when Phoebe did see her unexpected guests. Big Brother, divested of his blanket and clad in a pink Teddy Bear garment, sat bolt upright in the center of the divan, and Crimie lay snuggled against him with his thumb in his mouth and entranced eyes on the brilliant chandelier. The twins were nestled contentedly down in the corner together like two little kittens in a basket. Before them knelt Polly with one finger clasped by the one whose golden fuzz declared her to be Little Sister, while Caroline Darrah leaned over Big Brother who was fingering a string of sapphires that fell from her neck, with obvious delight. The rest of the party stood in an admiring and uproarious circle.
”Why,” exclaimed Phoebe in blank astonishment, ”why David Kildare!”
”You said you wanted your most intimate friends to-night, Phoebe, and here they are,” he answered with pride in every tone of his voice.
”Oh, dearie,” said Milly as she clasped Phoebe's hand, ”we couldn't come without them--everything happened wrong. I know it's awful and I ought to take them right back now and--”
”David Kildare,” said Phoebe as she divined in an instant the whole situation, ”I love--I love you for doing it,” and she sank on her knees by Caroline. Mistake let go the chain and bobbed forward to bestow a moist kiss on this, his friend of long standing; and as he chuckled and snuggled his little nose under her white chin Phoebe's echo was a sigh of such absolute rapture that the whole circle shouted with glee.
And late as it was dinner was announced three times before the host or the guests could be persuaded to think of food. And not until David's bed was made ready for the little guests did they begin to make their way into the dining-room. It was Andrew who finally insisted on carrying the babes away and tucking them in--only Caroline went with him with Little Sister in her arms and laid her gently on the pillow. She refused to lift her eyes to him for so much as a half-second until he drew her chair from the table for her; but then her shy glance was deep with innocent tenderness.
”Now,” said the major as they settled laughingly into their places, ”everybody's gla.s.s high to the silent guests!” And they drank his toast with enthusiasm.
”And,” added David Kildare as he set down his gla.s.s, ”they needn't be 'silent guests' unless it suits them. When they want to rough-house they know Uncle David's is the place to come to do it in.”
”But let's hope they won't want to, David,” laughed Milly, radiant with excitement.
”I tell you what let's do,” said the enlivened Hobson from the coveted seat next Caroline Darrah Brown, ”let's all give them hard sleeping suggestions, all at the same time.... Maybe they won't wake up for a week.”
”Andrew,” said Mrs. Buchanan as she looked with delight in his direction, ”these are delicious things you and David have to eat. I am so glad you are well again and can enjoy them.”
”Better go slow, Andy,” called David from down the table. ”Sure you don't need a raw egg? Phoebe has a couple up her sleeve here she can lend you.
The major has persuaded her to take a bit of duck and some asparagus and a brandied peach and--”
”David Kildare,” said Phoebe in a coolly dangerous voice, ”I will get even with you for that if it takes me a week. This is the first thing I have had to eat since meal before last and I lost two and a half pounds last week. So I'll see that you--”
”Please, please, Phoebe, I'll be good! Just let me off this time. I'm giddy from looking at you!” And before a delighted audience David Kildare abased himself.
”Anyway, I've got news to relate,” he hastened to offer by way of propitiation. ”What do you think has happened to Andrew? I didn't promise not to tell,” he drawled, prolonging the agony to its limit.
”Hurry, David, do!” exclaimed Phoebe with suspended fork. Caroline leaned forward eagerly, while Andrew began a laughing protest.
”It's only that Hetherton is going to put the great Mainwright on in Andy's new play in the fall--letter came to-day. Now, doesn't he shove his pen to some form--some?” he demanded as he beamed upon his friend with the greatest pride.
”Oh,” said Caroline Darrah, ”Mainwright is great enough to do it--almost!”
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