Part 41 (1/2)
Frick had tried to swarm all over him, but Joel put out an unsteady hand.
”I came to tell,” said the boy, seeing he was expected to say something.
”Oh, don't,” cried Joel involuntarily; ”'tisn't any matter; I don't care.”
”Well, it's all out, Joe,” said Jasper affectionately, who couldn't stop patting his back. Frick flew over to the opposite side and let Joel snuggle up to the old gentleman. ”I'm here, Grandpapa,” he said happily.
”Oh, bless me! Yes, my boy!” said old Mr. King brokenly, and fondling the little brown hands. ”Well, we must get you home and out of these wet clothes as soon as possible. I don't know what your mother will say. Oh, dear me, Joe!”
”Pooh!” cried Joel, ”I'm not wet.”
”You're wet as a drowned rat, Joe,” declared Jasper, bursting into a laugh, which was such a relief to all concerned that in a minute it really seemed like a pleasure excursion. But Joel pulled himself up.
”Oh, I'm going to see what's the matter with Jack's arm,” and he leaned over and put his hand on it.
”Nothing,” said Jack, trying to pull it away, but Joel held on.
”Tis, too,” he said. ”You're going to have it fixed. Grandpapa, won't you take him to Doctor Fisher's office? Please do.”
At this Frick p.r.i.c.ked up his ears. ”Doctor Fisher isn't----”
”Frick,” began Jasper desperately, ”look out and see if it rains.”
Frick stared in amazement, and even Joel bobbed his head over at Jasper.
”Why, doesn't it rain on your side?” he cried, his black eyes very wide.
”Never mind; do as I tell you,” said Jasper, nowise disconcerted. So Frick reported that it did rain; and then Jasper began to talk so fast that Joel had no time to get in a word at all, although he tried with all his might.
”See here,” he shouted at last, and his voice rang clear above every other noise, ”can't we take him to Doctor Fisher's office--can't we, Grandpapa?
Make Thomas turn about and take us there”--he fairly howled it now.
”And Doctor Fisher won't be there,” screamed Frick, on just as high a key.
”Why not?”
It was impossible to stop the dreadful news of Larry's accident from coming now. And in a minute Frick had it all out in a burst, quite unconscious of Jasper's efforts, and well pleased at having something important to say.
”Larry's been run over by Mr. MacIlvaine's tallyho, and 'most smashed to death.”
XX
THE COOKING CLUB
”Oh, my goodness me!” Alexia gave a jump, then ran for the closet.
”Dear me!” exclaimed Polly, standing quite still in the middle of the room, the lightning flash and the sudden peal of thunder coming without warning.