Five Little Peppers at School

by Margaret Sidney

  XVII PHRONSIE

  And after that, there was no more trouble about that program, for asluck would have it, the very next day a letter came from Joel, sayingthat Dr. Marks had given them a holiday of a week on account of theillness of two boys in their dormitory, and, "May I bring home TomBeresford? He's no-end fine!" and, "Please, Mamsie, let me fetch Sinbad!Do telegraph 'Yes.'"

  And Mother Fisher, after consultation with Mr. King, telegraphed "Yes;"and wild was the rejoicing over the return of Joel and David and Percyand Van, and Tom; for Mother Fisher was ready to receive with open arms,and very glad silently to watch, one of Joel's friends.

  "And to think that Sinbad is coming!" cried Polly, dancing about. "Justthink, Phronsie, Joel's dear dog that Dr. Marks let him take to thelittle cobbler to keep for him!" And she took Phronsie's hand, and theyspun around the hall.

  "I shall get him a new pink ribbon," declared Phronsie breathlessly,when the spin was over.

  "Do," cried Polly. "Dear me! that was a good spin, Phronsie!"

  "I should think it was," said Ben. "Goodness me! Polly, Phronsie and youmade such a breeze!"

  "Didn't we, Pet!" cried Polly, with a last kiss. "Oh Ben and Jasper, tothink those boys will be here for our entertainment!"

  "I know Tom is made of the right stuff," Mamsie said proudly to FatherFisher, "else my boy would not choose him."

  "That's a fact, wife," the little doctor responded heartily. "Joel isall right; may be a bit heedless, but he has a good head on hisshoulders."

  The five boys bounded into the wide hall that evening--Joel first; andin his arms, a yellow dog, by no means handsome, with small, beady eyes,and a stubby tail that he was violently endeavoring to wag, under theimpression that he had a good deal of it.

  "Mamsie!" shouted Joel, his black eyes glowing, and precipitatinghimself into her arms, dog and all, "See Sinbad! See, Mamsie!"

  "It's impossible not to see him," said Ben. "Goodness me, Joe, what adog!" which luckily Joel did not hear for the babel going on around.Besides, there was Phronsie trying to put her arms around the dog, andtelling him about the pink ribbon which she held in her hand.

  "Joe," said Dr. Fisher, who had been here, there, and everywhere in thegroup, and coming up to nip Joel's jacket, "introduce your friend.You're a pretty one, to bring a boy home, and--"

  "I forgot you, Tom," shouted Joel, starting off, still hanging to hisdog; "oh, there you are!" seeing Tom in the midst of the circle, andtalking away to Grandpapa and Polly.

  "As if I couldn't introduce Tom!" sniffed Percy importantly, quitedelighted at Joel's social omissions. "I've done it ages ago."

  "All right," said Joel, quite relieved. "Oh Phronsie, Sinbad doesn'twant that ribbon on," as Phronsie was making violent efforts to get itaround the dog's neck.

  "I would let her, Joel," said Mother Fisher, "if I were you."

  "But he hates a ribbon," said Joel in disgust, "and besides, he'll chewit up, Phronsie."

  "I don't want him to chew it up, Joel," said Phronsie slowly, andpausing in her endeavors. And she looked very sober.

  "I'll tell you, Phronsie." Mrs. Fisher took the pink satin ribbon thatPhronsie had bought with her own money. "Now, do you want mother to tieit on?"

  "Do, Mamsie," begged Phronsie, smoothing her gown in great satisfaction.And presently there was a nice little bow standing up on the back ofSinbad's neck; and as there didn't seem to be any ends to speak of,there was nothing to distract his attention from the responsibility ofwatching all the people.

  "Oh, isn't he _beautiful_!" cried Phronsie in a transport, and hoppingup and down to clap her hands. "Grandpapa dear, do look; and I've toldPrincey all about him, and given him a ribbon too, so he won't feelbadly."

  And after this excitement had died down, Joel whirled around. "Tom'sbrought his banjo," he announced.

  "Oh!" exclaimed Polly.

  "And he can sing," cried Joel, thinking it best to mention all theaccomplishments at once.

  "Don't, Joe," begged Tom, twitching his sleeve.

  Polly looked over at Jasper, with sparkling eyes, and the color flewinto her cheeks.

  "Splendid!" his eyes signalled back.

  "What is it?" cried Joel, giving each a sharp glance. "Now you two havesecrets; and that's mean, when we've just got home. What is it, Polly?"He ran to her, shaking her arm.

  "You'll see in time," said Polly, shaking him off, to dance away.

  "I don't want to know in time," said Joel, "I want to know now. Mamsie,what is it?"

  "I'm sure I haven't the least idea," said Mother Fisher, who hadn'theard Joel's announcement. "And I think you would do better, Joey, totake care of your guest, and let other things wait."

  "Oh, Tom doesn't want to be fussed over," said Joel carelessly; yet hewent back to the tall boy standing quite still, in the midst of thegeneral hilarity. "That's just the way Ben and Polly used to do in thelittle brown house," he grumbled--"always running away, and hiding theirold secrets from me, Tom."

  "Well, we had to, if we ever told each other anything," said Ben coolly."Joel everlastingly tagged us about, Beresford."

  "Well, I had to, if I ever heard anything," burst out Joel, with alaugh. "Come on, Tom," and he bore him off together with Sinbad.

  "Polly," Jasper was saying, the two now being off in a corner, "howfine! Now, perhaps Tom Beresford will sing."

  "And play," finished Polly, with kindling face. "Oh Jasper, was anythingever so gorgeous!" she cried joyfully, for Polly dearly lovedhigh-sounding words; "and we'll sell a lot more tickets, because he'snew, and people will want to hear him."

  "If he will do it," said Jasper slowly, not wanting to dampen heranticipation, but dreadfully afraid that the new boy might not respond.

  "Oh, he'll do it, I do believe," declared Polly confidently; "he must,Jasper, help about that poor brakeman's family."

  And he did. Tom Beresford evidently made up his mind, when he went homewith Joel, to do everything straight through that the family asked him,for he turned out to be the best visitor they had entertained, and oneand all pronounced him capital. All but Joel himself, who told him veryflatly the second day that he wasn't half as nice as at school, for hewas now running at everybody's beck and nod.

  "Instead of yours," said Tom calmly. Then he roared.

  "Hush up," cried Joel, very uncomfortable, and getting very red. "Well,you must acknowledge, Tom, that I want to see something of you, else whywould I have brought you home, pray tell?"

  "Nevertheless, I shall do what your sister Polly and your mother andJasper and Mr. King ask me to do," said Tom composedly, which was allJoel got for his fuming. And the most that he saw of Tom after that wasa series of dissolving views, for even Phronsie began to monopolize him,being very much taken with his obliging ways.

  At last Joel took to moping, and Ben found him thus in a corner.

  "See here, old fellow, that's a nice way,--to come home on a holiday,and have such a face. I don't wonder you want to sneak in here."

  "It's pretty hard," said Joel, trying not to sniffle, "to have a fellowyou bring home from school turn his back on you."

  "Well, he couldn't turn his back on you," said Ben, wanting very much tolaugh, but he restrained himself, "if you went with him."

  "I can't follow him about," said Joel, in a loud tone of disgust. "He'stwanging his old banjo all the time, and Polly's got him to sing, andhe's practising up. I wish 'twas smashed."

  "What?" said Ben, only half comprehending.

  "Why, his old banjo. I didn't think he'd play it all the time," saidJoel, who was secretly very proud of his friend's accomplishments; andhe displayed a very injured countenance.

  "See here, now, Joe," said Ben, laying a very decided hand on Joel'sjacket, "do you just drop all this, and come out of your hole. Aren'tyou ashamed, Joe! Run along, and find Beresford, and pitch into whateverhe's doing."

  "I can't do anything for that old concert," said Joel, who obeyed enoughto come "out of the old hole," but stood glancing at Ben with sharpblac
k eyes.

  "I don't know about that," said Ben, "you can at least help to get thetickets ready."

  "Did Polly say so?" demanded Joel, all in a glow. "Say, Ben, did she?"advancing on him.

  "No, but I do; for Polly asked me to do them; and you know, Joe, howbusy I am all day."

  He didn't say "how tired" also, but Joel knew how Ben was working atCabot and Van Meter's, hoping to get into business life the sooner, tobegin to pay Grandpapa back for all his kindness.

  "Ben, if I can help you with those tickets I'll do it." Every trace ofJoel's grumpiness had flown to the four winds. "Let me, will you?" hebegged eagerly.

  "All right." Ben had no need to haul him along, as Joel raced on aheadup to Ben's room to get the paraphernalia.

  "I can't think what's become of Joel," said Polly, flying down the longhall in great perplexity, "we want him dreadfully. Have you seen him,Phronsie?"

  "No," said Phronsie, "I haven't, Polly," and a look of distress cameinto her face.

  "Never mind, Pet," said Polly, her brow clearing, "I'll find him soon."

  But Phronsie watched Polly fly off, with a troubled face. Then she saidto herself, "I ought to find Joey for Polly," and started on a tour ofinvestigation to suit herself.

  Meanwhile Ben was giving Joel instructions about the tickets; and Joelpresently was so absorbed he wouldn't have cared if all the TomBeresfords in the world had deserted him, as he bent over his task,quite elated that he was helping Polly, and becoming one of theassistants to make the affair a success.

  "I guess it's going to be a great thing, Ben," he said, looking up amoment from the pink and yellow pasteboard out of which he was cuttingthe tickets.

  "You better believe so," nodded Ben, hugely delighted to see Joe's goodspirits, when the door opened, and in popped Phronsie's yellow head.

  She ran up to Joel. "Oh Joey!" she hummed delightedly, "I've found you,"and threw herself into his arms.

  Joel turned sharply, knife in hand. It was all done in an instant.Phronsie exclaimed, "_Oh!_" in such a tone that Ben, off in the cornerof the room, whirled around, to see Joel, white as a sheet, holdingPhronsie. "I've killed her," he screamed.

  Ben sprang to them. The knife lay on the table, where Joel had thrownit, a little red tinge along the tip. Ben couldn't help seeing it as hedashed by, with a groan.

  "Give her to me," he commanded hoarsely.

  "No, no--I'll hold her," persisted Joel, through white lips, and hangingto Phronsie.

  "Give her to me, and run down for Father Fisher."

  "It doesn't hurt much, Joey," said Phronsie, holding up her little arm.A small stream of blood was flowing down, and she turned away her head.

  Joel took one look, and fled with wild eyes. "I don't believe it's verybad," Ben made himself call after him hoarsely. "Now, Phronsie, you'llsit in my lap--there; and I'll keep this old cut together as well as Ican. We must hold your arm up, so, child." Ben made himself talk as fastas he could to keep Phronsie's eyes on him.

  "I got cut in the little brown house once, didn't I, Bensie?" saidPhronsie, and trying to creep up further into Ben's lap.

  "You must sit straight, child," said Ben. Oh, would Father Fisher andMamsie ever come! for the blood, despite all his efforts, was runningdown the little arm pretty fast.

  "Why, Ben?" asked Phronsie, with wide eyes, and wishing that her armwouldn't ache so, for now quite a smart pain had set in. "Why, Bensie?"and thinking if she could be cuddled, it wouldn't be quite so bad.

  "Why, we must hold your arm up stiff," said Ben, just as Mamsie came upto her baby, and took her in her arms; and then Phronsie didn't carewhether the ache was there or not.

  "Joe couldn't help it," said Ben brokenly.

  "I believe that," Mother Fisher said firmly. "Oh Ben, the doctor isaway."

  Ben started. "I'll go down to the office; perhaps he's there."

  "No; there's no chance. I've sent for Dr. Pennell. Your father likeshim. Now Phronsie"--Mrs. Fisher set her white lips togethertightly--"you and I and Ben will see to this arm of yours. Ben, get oneof your big handkerchiefs."

  "It doesn't ache so _very_ much, Mamsie," said Phronsie, "only I wouldlike to lay it down."

  "And that is just what we can't do, Phronsie," said Mother Fisherdecidedly. "All right," to Ben, "now tear it into strips."

  Old Mr. King was not in the library when Joel had rushed down with hisdreadful news, but was in Jasper's den, consulting with him and Pollyabout the program for the entertainment, as Polly and Jasper, much tothe old gentleman's delight, never took a step without going to him foradvice. The consequence was that these three did not hear of theaccident till a little later, when the two Whitney boys dashed in withpale faces, "Phronsie's hurt," was their announcement, which wouldn'thave been given so abruptly had not each one been so anxious to getahead of the other.

  Old Mr. King, not comprehending, had turned sharply in his chair tostare at them.

  "Hush, boys," warned Polly, hoarsely pointing to him; "is Mamsie withher?" She didn't dare to speak Phronsie's name.

  "Yes," said Van, eager to communicate all the news, and hoping Percywould not cut in. But Percy, after Polly's warning, had stood quitestill, afraid to open his mouth.

  Jasper was hunting in one of his drawers for an old book his father hadwished to see. So of course he hadn't heard a word.

  "Here it is, father," he cried, rushing back and whirling theleaves--"why, what?" for he saw Polly's face.

  "Oh Jasper--don't," said Polly brokenly.

  "Why do you boys rush in, in this manner?" demanded old Mr. Kingtestily. "And, Polly, child, what is the matter?"

  "Grandpapa," cried Polly, rushing over to him to put her arms around hisneck, "Phronsie is hurt someway. I don't believe it is much," shegasped, while Jasper ran to his other side.

  "Phronsie hurt!" cried old Mr. King in sharp distress. "Where is she?"

  Then Percy, seeing it was considered time for communication of news,struck in boldly; and between the two, all that was known of Joel's wildexclamations was put before them. All this was told along the hall andgoing over the stairs; for Grandpapa, holding Polly's hand, with Jasperhurrying fast behind them, was making good time up to Ben's room.

  "And Dr. Fisher can't be found," shouted Van, afraid that the wholewould not be told. Polly gave a shiver that all her self-control couldnot help.

  "But Joel's gone for Dr. Pennell," screamed Percy; "Mrs. Fisher senthim."

  "He's very good," said Jasper comfortingly. So this is the way they cameinto Ben's room.

  "Oh, here's Grandpapa!" cooed Phronsie, trying to get down from Mamsie'slap.

  "Oh, no, Phronsie," said Mrs. Fisher, "you must sit still; it's betterfor your arm."

  "But Grandpapa looks sick," said Phronsie.

  "Bless me--oh, you poor lamb, you!" Old Mr. King went unsteadily acrossthe room, and knelt down by her side.

  "Grandpapa," said Phronsie, stroking his white face, "see, it's all tiedup high."

  "Sit still, Phronsie," said Mrs. Fisher, keeping her fingers on the cut.Would the doctor ever come? Besides Joel, Thomas and several moremessengers were despatched with orders for Dr. Pennell and to find Dr.Fisher, with the names of other doctors if these failed. God would sendsome one of them soon, she knew.

  Phronsie obediently sat quite still, although she longed to showGrandpapa the white bandages drawn tightly around her arm. And shesmoothed his hair, while he clasped his hands in her lap.

  "I want Polly," she said presently.

  "Stay where you are, Polly," said her mother, who had telegraphed thisbefore with her eyes, over Phronsie's yellow hair.

  Polly, at the sound of Phronsie's voice, had leaned forward, but nowstood quite still, clasping her hands tightly together.

  "Speak to her, Polly," said Jasper.

  But Polly shook her head, unable to utter a sound.

  "Polly, you must," said Jasper, for Phronsie was trying to turn in hermother's lap, and saying in a worried way, "Where's Polly? I wantPolly."
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br />   "Polly is over there," said Mamsie, "but I do not think it's best forher to come now. But she'll speak to you, Phronsie."

  "How funny!" laughed Phronsie. "Polly can't come, but she'll talk acrossthe room."

  Everything turned black before Polly's eyes; but she began, "Yes, Pet,I'm here," very bravely.

  "I am so glad you are there, Polly," said Phronsie, easily satisfied.

  Footsteps rapid and light were heard on the stairs. Polly and Jasperflew away from the doorway to let Dr. Pennell, his little case in hishand, come in.

  "Well, well!" he exclaimed cheerily, "so now it's Phronsie; I'm comingto her this time," for he had often dropped in to call or to dine sincethe railway accident.

  "Yes," said Phronsie, with a little laugh of delight, for she very muchliked Dr. Pennell. He always took her on his lap, and told her stories;and he had a way of tucking certain little articles in his pockets tohave her hunt for them. So they had gotten on amazingly well.

  "Why, where--" Phronsie began in a puzzled way.

  "Is Dr. Fisher?" Dr. Pennell finished it for her, rapidly going on withhis work. "Well, he'll be here soon, I think. And you know he alwayslikes me to do things when he isn't on hand. So I've come."

  "And I like you very much," said Phronsie, wriggling her toes insatisfaction.

  "I know that; we are famous friends, Phronsie," said the doctor, withone of those pleasant smiles of his that showed his white teeth.

  "What's famous?" asked Phronsie, keeping her grave eyes on his face.

  "Oh, fine; it means first-rate. We are fine friends, aren't we,Phronsie?"

  "Yes, we are," declared Phronsie, bending forward to see his work thebetter, and taking her eyes from his face.

  "There, there, you must sit quite straight. That's a nice child,Phronsie. And see here! I must take you sometime in my carriage when Igo on my calls. Will you go, Phronsie?" and Dr. Pennell smiled again.

  "Yes, I will." Phronsie nodded her yellow head, while she fastened hereyes on his face. "I used to go with Papa Fisher when I was at thelittle brown house, and I liked it; I did."

  "Well, and now you will go with me," laughed Dr. Pennell. "Now,Phronsie, I think you are fixed up quite nicely," slipping the variousarticles he had used, deftly into his little bag, and snapping it to.

  "Not a very bad affair," he said, whirling around to old Mr. King, drawndeeply within a big chair, having already telegraphed the same to MotherFisher over Phronsie's head.

  "Thank the Lord!" exclaimed the old gentleman.

  "Well, now I'm going to send every one out of the room," announced Dr.Pennell, authoritatively. "Hurry now!" he clapped his hands and laughed.

  Old Mr. King sat quite still, fully determined not to obey. But thedoctor, looking over him fixedly, seemed to expect him to leave; andalthough he still had that pleasant smile, he didn't exactly give theimpression that his medical authority could be tampered with. So the oldgentleman found himself outside the door.

  "And now, we must find Joel," Polly was saying to Jasper.