Part 31 (2/2)

”I don't know in the least where Joel is,” said Polly, pausing in her run through the hall. She had promised Alexia to be over at her house at nine o'clock, and there it was, the big clock in the corner stated plainly, five minutes of that hour. ”Oh, dear me! I wish I could help you,” and she wrinkled up her brows in distress.

Frick sat down on one of the big, carved chairs and fairly whined:

”I've chased and chased all about here, and no one knows where Joel is.

Polly, do find him for me,” and he began to sniffle.

”Oh, I can't,” began Polly impatiently, then she finished, ”Dear me! Why, I don't know in the very least where Joel is, Frick!--not the leastest bit in the world.”

”Oh, yes, you can find him,” said Frick, sniffling dreadfully, and beginning to wheedle and beg. ”Do, Polly.” He seized her gown. ”The boys can't do anything without Joel, and they've sent me for him.”

”And I'm sure I can't do anything”--Polly shook her gown free--”so there's no use in asking me to stand here and talk about it, Frick Mason. And just look at that clock--two minutes of nine.” She pointed tragically up to the big clock. ”And I promised to be at Alexia's--” The last words came back to him as she disappeared out to the veranda and down the steps, racing off as hard as she could.

Frick got off from his chair, took three or four steps hopelessly, then stiffened up.

”I'm going to find him,” he announced to himself, and turning down the angle, he knocked at the first door on the left.

”Hullo!” exclaimed Joel, unlocking the door and opening it.

”Oh, you're here.” Frick seized him on both sides, wis.h.i.+ng he had twice the number of hands to employ; then he tried to run in, but Joel shook off the grasp, pushed to the door, only leaving the scantiest s.p.a.ce to allow of conversation.

”You can't come in,” he said steadily.

”Hold on! don't shut the door,” cried Frick, pressing up closely and still endeavoring to get a good grasp on some of Joel's clothing. ”Ow! you 'most smashed my nose, Joel Pepper.”

”You must take your nose away then,” said Joel decidedly, ”for I'm going to shut the door if you scrouge so.”

”Well, let me come in,” said Frick, struggling violently. ”Say, Joel, don't shut the door.”

For answer Joel slammed to the door, and the key clicked in the lock.

”I said I'd do it, if you scrouged and pushed, and I must,” he answered, with the air of a man performing his duty. ”This is my Grandpapa's writing-room, and you mustn't come in, Frick Mason.”

Frick slid down to the floor and laid his mouth alongside the crack, with the feeling that his message would be more impressive delivered in that way, since he was not to be admitted to the apartment to give it in due form.

”The boys want you, Joel; they're all waiting for us outside. Hurry up.”

Having delivered it, Frick got up to his feet in a hurry, confident that the door would be flung wide, to let Joel come hopping out in delight, and not choosing to be run over in the process.

”Can't go,” said Joel, in m.u.f.fled accents, on the other side of the door.

”What?” roared Frick, not believing his ears.

”Can't go,” repeated Joel. ”Go right away from this door.”

”What did you say?” Frick slid to the floor again and beat his hands on the polished surface. ”Say, Joel, we want you to come. We're all waiting for you, don't you understand?” He kept saying it over and over, under the impression that if he only repeated it enough, the door would open.

”And I say I can't go,” declared Joel, in a high, wrathful key. ”If you don't go away and let this door alone, I'll come out and pound you.”

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