CHAPTER VIII.
POLLY LOOKS OUT FOR CHARLOTTE.
"Second floor--Room No. 3," said Buttons, then stood like an automatonto watch the tall young man scale the stair.
"He did 'em beautifully," he confided afterward to another bell-boy."Mr. King himself can't get over them stairs better."
"Come in!" cried Jasper, in response to the rap.
"Halloo, old fellow!" cried Pickering Dodge, rushing in tumultuously."Well, well, so this is your den," looking around the small room insurprise.
"Yes. Now this is good to see you!" exclaimed Jasper, joyfully leapingfrom his chair to seize Pickering's hand. "Well, what brought you?There's nothing wrong?" he asked, anxiously scanning Pickering's face.
"No--that is, everything's right; all except Polly."
"There isn't anything the matter with Polly?" Jasper turned quite white,scarcely speaking the words.
"No, she's all right, only"--Pickering turned impatiently off from thechair Jasper pulled forward with a hasty hand, and stalked to the otherside of the little room. "She's--she's--well, she's so hard to come atnowadays. Everybody has a chance for a word with her but old friends.And now the Recital is in full blast."
Jasper drew a long breath, and began to get his color again. "Oh,yes--well, it's all going on well, the Recital, I mean, isn't it?" heasked.
"I believe so," said Pickering in a gloomy way. "The girls are wild overit; you can't hear anything else talked about at home. But," he brokeoff abruptly, "got a cigar, Jasper?" and he began to hunt the mantelamong the few home-things spread around to enliven the hotel apartment.
"Haven't such an article," said Jasper.
"I forgot you don't smoke," said Pickering with a sigh. "Dear me! howwill you bear trouble when it comes, old chap?" He came back to thetable, and thrust his hands in his pockets, looking dismally at Jasper.
"I'm afraid a cigar wouldn't help me much," said Jasper, with a laugh;"but if you must have one, I can get it, eh?"
"Yes, I must," said Pickering in despair, "for I've something on mymind. Came over on purpose to get your help, and I can't do it without aweed."
"Very well," said Jasper, shoving the chair again toward Pickering. "Sitdown, and I'll have one sent up," and he went over and touched theelectric button on the wall.
"Yes, sir?" Buttons ran his head in the doorway, and stared at themwithout winking.
"A cigar for this gentleman," said Jasper, filliping a coin into theboy's hand.
"Is that the way you order cigars?" demanded Pickering, whirling aroundin his chair.
"Yes, when I order them at all," said Jasper, laughing; "a weed is aweed, I suppose."
"Indeed, and it is not, then," retorted Pickering. "I'll have none ofyour ordering. You needn't bring it up, boy; I'll go down to the officeand pick some out for myself."
"All right, sir," said Buttons, putting down the coin on the table witha lingering finger.
"Keep it," said Jasper, with a smile.
"He's a gentleman," observed Buttons, on the way downstairs, Pickeringtreading his heels. "He ain't like the rest of 'em that boards here.They orders me around with a 'Here, you!' or a 'Hoi, there, boy!'They're gents; he's the whole word--a first-class gentleman, Mr. Kingis," he repeated.
"Now, then, for it," said Jasper, when at last the gleam of Pickering'scigar was steady and bright, "open your budget of news, old fellow," headded, with difficulty restraining his impatience.
"It ought not to be any news," declared Pickering, with extremeabruptness, "for I've never tried to conceal it. I love Polly."
Jasper started so suddenly his arm knocked from the table a slendercrystal vase, that broke into a dozen pieces.
"Never mind," he said, at Pickering's dismayed exclamation, "go on."
Whew--puff! floated the rings of cigar smoke over Pickering's head. "AndI can't stand it, and I won't, waiting any longer to tell her so. Why,man," he turned savagely now on Jasper, "I've loved her for years, andmust I be bullied and badgered out of my rights by men who have onlyjust been introduced to her--say?"
"Whom do you mean?" asked Jasper huskily, his fingers working over thetable-cloth, under the pretense of pulling the creases straight.
"Why, that Loughead chap," said Pickering, bringing his hand downheavily on the table; "he has more sweet words from Polly Pepper in aweek than I get in a month--and I such an old friend!"
"Polly is so anxious to help his sister," Jasper made out to say.
"Well, that's no reason why the fellow should hang around forever,"declared Pickering angrily.
"Why, he's gone abroad!" exclaimed Jasper, "long ago."
"Ah, but he's coming back," said Pickering, with a sage nod, andknocking off the ashes from his cigar end.
"Is that so?" cried Jasper, in astonishment.
"Yes, 'tis," declared Pickering, nodding again, "and I don't like it.You know as well as I do," squaring around on Jasper, "that he don'tcare a rap about his sister's getting on; he's only thinking of Polly,and _I_ love her."
Seeing that something was expected of him, Jasper made out to say, "Youdo?"
"Of course I do; and you know it, and every one knows it, or ought to; Ihaven't ever tried to conceal it," said Pickering proudly.
"How do you know that Loughead is coming back?" asked Jasper abruptly.
"How do I know? The best way in the world." Pickering moved uneasily inhis chair. "Hibbard Crane had a letter yesterday; that's the reason Ithrew my traps together and started for you."
"For me?" cried Jasper, in surprise.
"Yes. You've got to help me. I can't stand it, waiting around anylonger. It has almost killed me as it is." Pickering threw his head onthe chair-back and took savage pulls at the cigar between his teeth.
"I help you?" cried Jasper, too astonished to do much more than torepeat the words. "How in all this world can I do anything in thematter?" he demanded, as soon as he could find his voice.
"Why, you can tell Polly how it is; you're her brother, or as good asone; and she'll see it from you. And you must hurry about it, too, for Iexpect that Loughead will turn up soon. He means mischief, he does."
"See here, Pick," cried Jasper, getting out of his chair hastily to facePickering, "you don't know what you are asking. Why, I couldn't do it.The very idea; I never heard of such a thing! You--you must speak toPolly yourself."
"I can't," said Pickering, in a burst, and bringing up his headsuddenly. "She won't give me the ghost of a chance. There's always thosegirls around her; and she's been away an age at Mrs. Whitney's. Andeverlastingly somebody is sick or getting hurt, and they won't haveanybody but Polly. You know how it is yourself, Jasper," and he turnedon him an injured countenance.
"Well, don't come to me," cried Jasper, beginning to pace the floorirritably. "I couldn't ever speak on such a subject to Polly. Beside itwould be the very way to set her against you. It would any girl; can'tyou see it, Pick?" he added, brightening up.
"Girls are queer," observed Pickering shrewdly, "and the very thing youthink they won't like, they take to amazingly. Oh, you go along, Jasper,and let her see how matters stand; how I feel, I mean."
"You will do your own speaking," said Jasper, in his most crustyfashion, and without turning his head.
"I did; that is, I tried to last night after I met Crane," beganPickering, in a shamefaced way, "but I couldn't get even a chance to seePolly."
"How's that?" asked Jasper, still marching up and down the floor;"wasn't she home?"
"Why, she sent Charlotte Chatterton down to see me," said Pickering,very much aggrieved, "and I hate that Chatterton girl."
"Why couldn't Polly see you?" went on Jasper, determined, since hisassistance was asked, to go to the root of the matter.
"Oh, somebody in the establishment, I don't know who, had a finger-ache,I suppose," said Pickering, carelessly throwing away his cigar end andlighting a fresh one, "and wanted Polly. Never mind why; she couldn'tcome down, she sent word. So I gave up in despair. See here now, Jasper,you mu
st help me out."
"I tell you I won't," declared Jasper, with rising irritation, "not inthat way."
"You won't?"
"No, I won't. I can't, my dear fellow."
"Well, there's a great end of our friendship," exclaimed Pickering, redwith anger, and he jumped to his feet. "Do you mean to say, Jasper King,that you won't do such a simple thing for me as to say a word to yoursister Polly, when I tell you it's all up with me if you don't speakthat word--say?"
"You oughtn't to ask such a thing; it's despicable in you," criedJasper, aghast to find his anger rising at each word. "And if you insistin making such a request when I tell you that I cannot speak to Pollyfor you, why, I shall be forced to repeat what I said at first, that Iwon't have anything to do with it."
"Do you mean it," Pickering put himself in front of Jasper's advancingstrides, "that you will not speak to Polly for me?"
"I do."
"I tell you," declared Pickering, now quite beside himself, "it'sabsolutely necessary for me to have your word with her, Jasper King."
"And I tell you I can't give that word," said Jasper. Then he stoppedshort, and looked into Pickering's face. "I'm sorry, old chap," and heput out his hand.
Pickering knocked it aside in a towering passion. "You needn't 'oldchap' me," he cried. "And there's an end to our friendship, King." Heseized his hat and dashed out of the room.
"Miss Salisbury!" Alexia Rhys, in real distress, threw herself againsther old teacher, who was hurrying through the long school-room.
"Well, what is it?" asked Miss Salisbury, settling her glasses for alook at her former pupil. "You mustn't hinder me; I'm on my way to therecitation room," and her hand made a movement toward her watch.
"Oh, don't think of time, Miss Salisbury!" begged Alexia, just asfamiliarly as in the old days, "when Polly Pepper needs to be looked outfor."
"If Polly Pepper needs me in any way, why, I must stop," said theprincipal of the "Young Ladies' Select Boarding and Day School," "but Idon't see how she can need me, Alexia," she added in perplexity, "Pollyis fully capable of taking care of herself."
"Oh, no, she isn't," cried Alexia abruptly. "Beg your pardon, but Pollyis a dear, sweet, dreadful idiot. Oh dear me! what do you suppose, MissSalisbury, she has gone and done?"
"I am quite at a loss to guess," said Miss Salisbury calmly, "and I mustsay, Alexia, I am very much pained by your failure to profit by myinstructions. To think that one of my young ladies, especially one onwhom I have spent so much care and attention as yourself, should be socareless in speech and manner, as you are constantly. 'Gone anddone'--oh, Alexia!" she exclaimed in a grieved way.
"Oh, I know," cried Alexia imperturbably, "you did your best, dear MissSalisbury, and it isn't your fault that I'm not fine. But oh, don'twaste the time, please, over me, when I want to tell you about Polly."
"What is it about Polly?" demanded Miss Salisbury, fingering herwatch-chain nervously. "Really, Alexia, I think Polly would do very wellif you didn't try so hard to take possession of her. I quite pity her,"she added frankly.
Alexia burst into a laugh. "It's the only way to catch a glimpse of her.Miss Salisbury," she cried, "for everybody is trying to take possessionof Polly Pepper. And now--oh, it's getting perfectly dreadful!"
Miss Salisbury took an impatient step forward.
"Oh, Miss Salisbury," cried Alexia in alarm, "wait just a minute, do,dear Miss Salisbury," she cried, throwing her arms around her, therebyendangering the glasses set upon the fine Roman nose, "there can't anyone help in this but just you."
"It is very wrong," said Miss Salisbury, yet yielding to the embrace,"for me to stay and listen to you in this way, but--but I've always beenfond of you, Alexia, and"--
"I know it," cried Alexia penitently, "you've just been a dear, always,Miss Salisbury, to me. If you hadn't, why, I don't know what I shouldhave done, for I had nobody but aunt," with a little pathetic sniff, "tolook after me."
"My dear Alexia," cried Miss Salisbury, quite softened, "don't feel so.You are very dear to me. You always were," patting her hand. "And sowhat is it that you want to tell me now? Pray be quick, dear."
"Well, then, will you promise to make Polly Pepper do what she ought to,Miss Salisbury?" cried Alexia, quite enchanted with her success thusfar.
Miss Salisbury turned a puzzled face at her. "Will I make Polly Pepperdo as she ought to?" she repeated. "My dear Alexia, what a strangerequest. Polly Pepper is always doing as she ought."
"Well, Polly is just hateful to herself," declared Alexia, "and if itwasn't for us girls, she'd--oh, dear me! I don't know what would happen.What do you suppose, Miss Salisbury, she's gone and--oh dear, I didn'tmean to--but what do you suppose Polly has just done?"
"MY DEAR ALEXIA," CRIED MISS SALISBURY, QUITE SOFTENED,"DON'T FEEL SO."]
Before Miss Salisbury could reply, Alexia rushed on frantically. "Ifyou'll believe me, Polly has gone and asked that Charlotte Chatterton tosing at her Recital; just think of that!" exclaimed Alexia, quite goneat the enormity of such a blunder.
"Why, doesn't Charlotte Chatterton sing well?" asked Miss Salisbury, insurprise.
"Oh, frightfully well," said Alexia, "that's just the trouble. And nowPolly's Recital will all be part of that Chatterton girl's glory. And itwas to be so swell!" And Alexia sank into a chair, and waved back andforth in grief.
"Swell! Oh, Alexia," exclaimed Miss Salisbury in consternation.
"Oh, do excuse me," mumbled Alexia, "but Polly really has spoiled thatelegant Recital. It won't be all Polly's, now. Oh, dear me!"
Miss Salisbury drew a long breath. "I'm very glad Polly has asked MissChatterton to sing," she said at last. "It was the right thing to do."
"Very glad that Polly has asked that Chatterton girl to sing?" almostshrieked Alexia, starting out of her chair.
"Yes," said Miss Salisbury decidedly. "Very glad indeed, Alexia."
"And now you won't make Polly see that Charlotte Chatterton ought not tobe stuck into that Recital?" cried Alexia wildly. "Oh, dear me! and youare the only one that can bring Polly to her senses--oh, dear me!"
"Certainly not," said Miss Salisbury, with a little dignified laugh."The Recital is Polly's, and she knows best how to manage it."
"Well, we won't applaud, we girls won't," declared Alexia, stiffeningup, "when that Charlotte Chatterton sings; but we'll all just look theother way--every single one of us."
"Alexia Rhys!" slowly ejaculated Miss Salisbury in real sorrow.
"Well, we can't; it wouldn't be right," gasped Alexia. "Don't look so,Miss Salisbury. Oh, dear me, why will Polly act so! Oh, dear me! I wishCharlotte Chatterton was in the Red Sea."
Miss Salisbury gathered herself up in quiet disapproval; and with aparting look prepared to leave the room.
"Oh, Miss Salisbury," cried Alexia, flying after her, to pluck her gown,"do turn around. Oh, dear me!" and she began to cry as hard as shecould.
"When you have come to your better self, Alexia, I will talk with you,"said Miss Salisbury distinctly, and she went out, and closed the door.
"Did she say she would--did she--did she?" cried a group of the "oldgirls," as Miss Salisbury's present scholars called Polly and her set,as they came tiptoeing in. "Why, where are you, Alexia?"
"Here," said a dismal voice from the depths of a corner easy chair. Theyall rushed at her.
"I've had an awful time with her," sobbed Alexia, her face buried in herhandkerchief, "and I suppose it really will kill me, girls."
"Nonsense!" cried one or two. "Well, what did she say about making Pollylisten to reason?"
"Oh, dreadful--dreadful!" groaned Alexia gustily. "You can't think!"
"You don't mean to say that she approves, after all that Polly Pepperhas worked over that old Recital, to"--
--"Have some one else come in and grab the glory?" finished anothervoice.
"Oh, dear--dear!" groaned Alexia in between. "And Miss Salisbury wouldkill you, Clem, if she heard you say 'grab.'"
"Well, do tell us, what
did Miss Salisbury say?" demanded another girlimpatiently.
"She said it was right for Polly to ask Charlotte Chatterton to sing,and she was glad she was going to do it."
"Oh, horrors!" exclaimed the group in dismal chorus.
"The idea! as much as she loves Polly Pepper!" cried Sally Moore.
"And I hate the word 'right,'" exploded Alexia, whirling herhandkerchief around her fingers. "Now! It's poked at one everlastingly.I think it's just sweet to be wicked."
"Oh, Alexia Rhys!"
"Well, just a little bit wicked," said Alexia.
Cathie Harrison shook back the waves of light hair on her brow. "Girls,"she began hesitatingly. But no one would listen; the laments were goingon so fast over Polly and her doings.
"It _is_ right!" cried Cathie at last, after many ineffectualattempt to be heard. "Do stop, girls, making such a noise," she addedimpatiently.
"That's a great way to preach," said Clem, laughing, "lose your temperto begin with, Cathie."
"I didn't--that is, I'm sorry," said Cathie. "But, anyway, I want to sayI ought to have been ashamed to act so about that Chatterton girl. Whereshould I have been if Polly Pepper hadn't taken me up?"
She looked down the long aisle to a seat in the corner. "There's where Isat," pointing to it, "and you all know it, for a whole week, and Ithought I should die; I did," tragically, "without any one speaking tome. And one day Polly Pepper came up and asked wouldn't I come to herhouse to the Bee you were all going to get up to fit out that horribleold poor white family down South. And I wanted to get up and scream, Iwas so glad."
"Cathie Harrison," exclaimed Alexia, springing to her feet defiantly,"what do you want to bring back those dreadful old times for! You arethe most uncomfortable person I ever saw."
"You needn't mind it now, Alexia," cried Cathie, rushing at her, "foryou've been too lovely for anything ever since--you dear!"
"I lovely? oh, girls, did you hear?" cried Alexia, sinking into herchair again, quite overcome. "She said I was lovely--oh, dear me!"
"And so you are," repeated Cathie stoutly; "just as nice and sweet andlovely to me as you can be. So!" throwing her long arms around Alexia.
"I didn't want to be; Polly made me," said Alexia.
"I know it; but I don't care. You are nice now, any way."
"And I suppose we must be nice to that Chatterton girl now, if she doesbreak up our fun," said Alexia with a sigh, getting out of her chair."Come on, girls; let us go and tell Polly it's just heavenly thatCharlotte is to sing."