Part 16 (1/2)

Percy caught her up in his arms. ”Any pump in the house? Johnny, get some water somewhere, quick! and then run for the camphor bottle.”

Percy was at his wit's end. He ran round and round, with the little girl in his arms. She had life enough to cling to his neck. Johnny saw a pail of water, dipped a tea-strainer into it, and dashed two drops in Dotty's face.

”That won't do, boy! Throw on a quartful! Hurry!”

Johnny promptly obeyed. Dotty gasped for breath, and uttered a scream.

Percy felt encouraged.

”More, Johnny; the whole pailful. We'll have her out of this double-quick--”

Just as Percy had extended his little cousin on the floor, and Johnny had poured enough water over her to soak every thread of her clothing, there was a sound of foot-steps. Mr. and Mrs. Parlin were coming in at the back door.

”What does this mean?” they both exclaimed, very much alarmed, as might have been expected. There lay their little daughter, screaming and gurgling, her mouth full of water, her dress stained with the raspberry jam, which was easily mistaken for blood.

”Why, uncle Edward,” stammered Percy, ”'twas a--”

”Why, auntie,” cried Johnny, ”'twas only a pumpkin. She went and was afraid of a pumpkin!”

The cause of this direful affright, the lighted jack-o'-lantern, was lying face upward on the floor, the candle within it smoking and dripping with tallow. One glance explained the whole mystery.

But by this time there seemed to be no further cause for anxiety with regard to Dotty. She gathered herself together, sat upright, and began to scold.

”'Twas blazing a-fire, mamma. He lighted it to plague me--Johnny did.”

”I'm ever so sorry, auntie,” said Percy, and his regretful face said as much as his words.

”Johnny scared me to death,” broke in Dotty; ”and then he pumped water on me all over--Johnny did.”