Part 34 (1/2)

”No,” said Polly, ”I can't, Alexia.”

”What in the world is the matter?” cried Alexia, dropping her arm to stare at her.

”I think your aunt--” began Polly.

”Oh, Aunt!” interrupted Alexia impatiently. ”You're always talking about her, Polly Pepper, and she's everlastingly picking at me, so I have a perfectly dreadful time, between you two.”

”Well, she is your aunt,” said Polly, not offering to stir.

”I can't help it.” Alexia, for the want of something better to do, ran over and twitched the table cover straight. ”And I know she's my aunt, but she needn't pick at me all the time,” she added defiantly. She looked uncomfortable all the same, and ran about here and there trying to get things in their places, but knocking down more than were tidied up. ”Why don't you say something?” she cried impatiently, whirling around.

”Because I've nothing to say,” replied Polly, not moving.

”Oh, dear me!” Alexia sent her long arms out with a despairing gesture. ”I suppose I've just got to go and tell Aunt I'm sorry.” She drew a long breath. ”But I hadn't been playing; I was tired to death over that dirty old closet and that tiresome shoe bag, and my hair all hooked up. Well, do come on.” She ran over and held out her hand. ”Come with me,” she begged.

So Polly put her hand in Alexia's, and together they ran out into the hall, to the maiden aunt's room.

”It's perfectly dreadful to board,” said Alexia, on the way. ”I wouldn't care how little the house was, if Aunt and I could only have one,” and she gave a great sigh.

Polly turned suddenly and gave her a big hug.

”Mamsie says you are to come over to our house just as often as possible.

So does Grandpapa,” she cried hastily; ”you know that, Alexia.”

”Yes, I know,” said Alexia, but she was highly gratified at every repet.i.tion of the invitation. ”Well, oh, dear me!”--as they stood before Miss Rhys' door.

That lady sat in her bay window, her fingers busy with her embroidery, and her mind completely filled with plans for another piece when that particular one should be completed.

”I'm sorry, Aunt,” said Alexia, plunging up to the chair and keeping tight hold of Polly Pepper's hand.

”Oh!” said Miss Rhys, looking up. ”Why, how your hair does look, Alexia!”

Up flew Alexia's other hand to her head.

”Well, it's been all hooked up,” she said.

”And I'll brush it for you,” said Polly, at her shoulder.

”That'll be fine,” cried Alexia, with a comfortable wriggle of her long figure. ”Oh, I'm sorry, Aunt.”

”Very well,” said Miss Rhys, turning back to her embroidery again. ”And, Alexia, your room looks very badly. I'm astonished that you are so untidy, when I talk to you about it so much.”

”Well, Polly is helping me fix it up,” said Alexia, drawing off and pulling Polly along.

”Now, you see, Polly”--as the two girls were safe once more in the little room, this time with the door shut--”I only got some more pickings by going to Aunt.”

”Hush,” said Polly, ”she will hear you.'

”How is she going to hear with the door shut, pray tell?” cried Alexia, with a giggle. ”Well, it's over with now. Let's fly at this horrid old room. Dear me!”--as she ran by the window--”do just see those dreadful boys.”