Part 28 (1/2)

”If this is to be the way,” said Mrs. Vanderburgh, with a savage little laugh, ”we might much better have stayed in Paris, for I never should have thought, as you know, f.a.n.n.y, of coming to this out-of-the-way place, seeing that I don't care for the music, if I hadn't heard them say on the steamer that this was their date here.”

”Well, I wish that I was at home,” declared f.a.n.n.y, pa.s.sionately, ”and I never, never will come to Europe, Mamma, again as long as I live. You are always chasing after people who run away from you, and those who like me, you won't let me speak to.”

”Well, I shall be thankful for the day when you are once in society,”

said her mother, every shred of self-control now gone; ”and I shall sell my tickets for this old Wagner festival, and go back to Paris to-morrow morning.”

At that, f.a.n.n.y broke into a dismal fit of complaining, which continued all the time they were dressing for dinner, and getting settled in their room, and then at intervals through that meal.

Polly looked over at her gloomy face, three tables off, and her own fell.

”You are not eating anything, child,” said Grandpapa, presently, with a keen glance at her. ”Let me order something more.”

”Oh, no, Grandpapa,” and ”yes, I will,” she cried, incoherently, making a great effort to enjoy the nice things he piled on her plate.

Jasper followed her glance as it rested on the Vanderburgh table. ”They will spoil everything,” he thought. ”And to think it should happen at Bayreuth.”

”Yes, we are going,” said f.a.n.n.y Vanderburgh as they met after dinner in the corridor. Her eyes were swollen, and she twisted her handkerchief in her fingers. ”And I did--did--did--” here she broke down and sobbed--”so want to hear the Wagner operas.”

”Don't cry,” begged Polly, quite shocked. ”Oh, f.a.n.n.y, why can't you stay? How very dreadful to lose the Wagner music!” Polly could think of no worse calamity that could befall one.

”Mamma doesn't know anybody here except your party,” mumbled f.a.n.n.y, ”and she's upset, and declares that we must go back to Paris to-morrow.

Oh, Polly Pepper, I hate Paris,” she exploded. And then sobbed worse than ever.

”Wait here,” said Polly, ”till I come back.” Then she ran on light feet to Grandpapa, just settling behind a newspaper in a corner of the general reading room.

”Grandpapa, dear, may I speak to you a minute?” asked Polly, with a woful feeling at her heart. It seemed as if he must hear it beating.

”Why, yes, child, to be sure,” said Mr. King, quite surprised at her manner. ”What is it?” and he laid aside his paper and smiled rea.s.suringly.

But Polly's heart sank worse than ever. ”Grandpapa,” she began desperately, ”f.a.n.n.y Vanderburgh is feeling dreadfully.”

”And I should think she would with such a mother,” exclaimed the old gentleman, but in a guarded tone. ”Well, what of it, Polly?”

”Grandpapa,” said Polly, ”she says her mother is going to take her back to Paris tomorrow morning.”

”How very fine!” exclaimed Mr. King, approvingly; ”that is the best thing I have heard yet. Always bring me such good news, Polly, and I will lay down my newspapers willingly any time.” And he gave a pleased little laugh.

”But, Grandpapa--” and Polly's face drooped, and there was such a sad little note in her voice, that the laugh dropped out of his. ”f.a.n.n.y wanted above all things to hear the Wagner operas--just think of losing those!” Polly clasped her hands, and every bit of colour flew from her cheek.

”Well, what can I do about it?” asked the old gentleman, in a great state of perturbation. ”Speak out, child, and tell me what you want.”

”Only if I can be pleasant to f.a.n.n.y,” said Polly, a wave of colour rus.h.i.+ng over her face. ”I mean if I may go with her? Can I, Grandpapa, this very evening, just as if--” she hesitated.

”As if what, Polly?”

”As if we all liked them,” finished Polly, feeling as if the words must be said.

There was an awful pause in which Polly had all she could do to keep from rus.h.i.+ng from the room. Then Grandpapa said, ”If you can stand it, Polly, you may do as you like, but I warn you to keep them away from me.” And he went back to his paper.