Part 32 (1/2)

”Where you been?” 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.”

In 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 flock, being pretty well tired out with noise and excitement, all gathered around Polly and Ben, and clamored for a story.

”Do, Polly, do,” begged Joel. ”It's Christmas, and 'twon't come again for a year.”

”I can't,” said Polly, in such a twitter that she could hardly stand still, and for the first time in her life refusing, ”I can't think of a thing.”

”I will then,” said Ben; ”we must do something,” he whispered to Polly.

”Tell it good,” said Joel, settling himself.

So for an hour the small tyrants kept their entertainers well employed.

”Isn't it growing awful dark?” said Davie, rousing himself at last, as Ben paused to take breath.

Polly pinched Ben.

”Mammy's a-goin' to let us know,” he whispered in reply. ”We must keep on a little longer.”

”Don't stop,” said Joel, lifting his head where he sat on the floor.

”What you whisperin' for, Polly?”

”I'm not,” said Polly, glad to think she hadn't spoken.

”Well, do go on, Ben,” said Joel, lying 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 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 s.h.i.+ning with such a new light, little Davie skipped right out into the middle of the room. ”What's the matter, mammy?”

”You may all come into the Provision Room,” said she.

”What for?” shouted Joel, 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; ”Phronsie, you take hold of Davie's hand, and go first.”

”I'm goin' first,” announced Joel, squeezing up past Polly. ”No, you mustn't, Joe,” said Polly decidedly; ”Phronsie and David are the youngest.”

”They're always the youngest,” said Joel, falling back with Polly to the rear.

”Forward! MARCH!” sang Polly. ”Follow mamsie!”

Down the stairs they 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 in decidedly unmilitary style, presented a very queer appearance!