Part 42 (2/2)

”I see nothing,” said Miss Rhys, turning around with her head over her shoulder.

”Well, do stand still, Aunt,” cried Alexia, ”a minute.”

”What is it?” Miss Rhys kept saying, trying to see for herself.

”Your centerpiece--oh, dear me!” Alexia by this time had it free, and burst into a laugh as she held it up.

”Well, now, I expect I have dragged off my green floss,” exclaimed her aunt, in irritation. ”I am quite sure of it.”

”Well, 'twould be in the closet,” said Alexia, who didn't relish offering to go back, ”'twon't hurt it to stay there a little while.”

”I must find it,” said Miss Rhys decidedly. And Alexia, wild to go down to tell Polly Pepper she was to stay to luncheon, flew over the stairs, leaving her aunt to get her green floss as she could.

”But I can't,” said Polly, when Alexia had hugged her and danced around her to her heart's content; ”I must go home.”

”Why, Polly Pepper, you can't ever go in this awful rain.”

”It isn't going to rain much more,” said Polly, running over to the window to flatten her face against the pane.

”You'll be struck if you do that.” Little Mr. Filbert looked after her in disapproval. ”The window is the worst place in a thunderstorm; you see, it----”

”Oh, that's what you said about the chimney closet,” said Alexia, in scorn, ”and there can't be two places that are the worst.”

”Oh, Alexia,” said Polly, looking back from the window.

”Well, he's so tiresome,” said Alexia, putting her arm around her and gazing out of the window; ”that's just the way he goes on at the table every single day. Oh, see it rain, Polly Pepper!”

”It's slackening,” said Polly, peering up at the drops, that really were beginning to fall with little s.p.a.ces between. ”And Mamsie will send for me soon, I guess.”

”Oh, well, it will begin again most likely,” said Alexia. ”I hope this thunderstorm will last till ever so late this afternoon.”

”Oh, Alexia Rhys!” cried Polly, in great distress, and whirling away from the window, ”don't wish that. Why, I must get home.”

”Well, I do,” said Alexia, bobbing her light hair till the fluffs settled over her forehead, ”for then you'd stay. You haven't been over here in ever and ever so long, Polly Pepper,” she said, in an injured voice, ”and I've got so very much to talk with you about.”

”Well, let's talk now, then,” said Polly, with a sigh, yet feeling quite sure that she would soon be sent for to go home.

”Come over to the sofa then,” said Alexia, So they ran over, and together settled as far back into the corner as they could, pus.h.i.+ng up one of the cus.h.i.+ons comfortably behind them.

”Well, now, you begin,” said Polly.

”Oh, no--you,” said Alexia, having no notion of doing the talking, for it was always great fun to listen to Polly Pepper.

”Why, I thought you said you had ever so much to talk over,” said Polly.

”So I have,” said Alexia coolly, ”we always do have; you know we do, Polly.

Well, now begin.”

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