Part 31

And the next day, Pickering Dodge, who thought he had some sort of a claim on Jasper for the afternoon, came running up the steps, two at a time. And he looked so horribly disappointed, that old Mr. King said, "Why don't you take him, Jasper, along with us?"

Jasper, who would have much preferred to go alone with his father and Polly, swallowed his vexation, and said, "All right;" and when he saw Pickering's delight, he brightened up, and was glad it all happened in just that way after all.

"Now see here," said old Mr. King suddenly. They were turning out of Willow Court, after their visit, and Thomas had a sorry time of it, managing his horses successfully about the old tin cans and rubbish, to say nothing of the children who were congregated in the narrow, ill-smelling court. "Why don't you boys do something for those lads in there?" pointing backward to the little run-down-at-the-heel house they had just left.

"We boys?" cried Pickering faintly. "Oh dear me! Mr. King, we can't do anything."

"'Can't' is a bad word to use," said the old gentleman gravely, "and I didn't mean that you all alone should do the work. But get the other boys interested. I'm sure you can do that. Phew! Where are the health authorities, I should like to know, to let such abominations exist? Thomas, drive as fast as you can, and get us out of this hole;" and he buried his aristocratic old face in his handkerchief.

Pickering looked over at Jasper in great dismay.

"We might have our club take it up," said Jasper slowly, with a glance at Polly for help.

"Yes, why don't you, Jasper?" she cried. "Now that's what I'm going to propose that our club of Salisbury girls shall do. We're just finishing up the work for a poor Southern family."

"You've had a bee, haven't you," asked Pickering, "or something of that sort? Although I don't really suppose you do much work," he said nonchalantly, "only laugh and play and giggle, generally."

"Indeed we don't, Pickering Dodge," cried Polly indignantly, "laugh and play and giggle, the very idea!"

"And if you say such dreadful things I'll pitch you out of the carriage," cried Jasper in pretended wrath.

"Ow! I'll be good. Take off your nippers," cried Pickering, cringing back down into his corner as far as he could. "Goodness me! Jasper, you're a perfect old tiger."

"Take care, and keep your tongue in its place then," said Jasper, bursting into a laugh.

"And we work--oh, just dreadfully," declared Polly with her most positive air. "We cut out all the clothes ourselves. We don't want our mothers to do it; and sew--oh dear me!"

"You ought to see our house on club day when Polly has the bee," said Jasper. "I rather think you'd say there was something going on for those poor little Southern darkies."

"Well, I don't see how you can work so for a lot of disgusting pickaninnies," said Pickering, stretching his long figure lazily. "The whole bunch of them isn't worth one good solid afternoon of play."

Polly turned a cold shoulder to him, and began to talk with Jasper most busily about the club of boys.

"Yes, and oh, Jasper, let's have one meeting of all you boys with us girls--the two clubs together," she cried at last, waxing quite enthusiastic.

"Yes, let us," cried Jasper, just as enthusiastic; "and oh, Polly, I've thought of something. Let's have a little play--you write it."

"Oh Jasper, I can't," cried Polly, wrinkling her brows.

"Oh, yes, Polly, you can," cried Jasper; "if it's one half as good as 'The Three Dragons and the Princess Clotilde,' it will be just fine."

"Well," said Polly, "I'll try; and what then, Jasper?"

"Why, we'll give it for money--father, may we, in the drawing-room? And perhaps we'll make quite a heap to help those boys with. Oh Polly!" He seized both of her hands and wrung them tightly. "Oh, may we, father, may we?"

"Eh--what's that? Oh, yes." The old gentleman took down his handkerchief. "Dear me! what a mercy we are where we can breathe!" as Thomas whirled them dexterously past a small square. "What are the health authorities about, to allow such atrocious old holes? Oh, yes, my boy, I'm sure I'd be delighted to have you help along those three lads. And it's really work for boys. Polly's going to start up something for the girl."

"How perfectly fine!" exclaimed Jasper and Polly together, now that the consent was really gained. Then they fell into such a merry chatter that Pickering, left out in the cold, began to wriggle dreadfully. At last he broke out:

"Yes, I think it would be fine too," trying to work his head into the conference, where Polly and Jasper had theirs together buzzing over the plans.

But nobody paid him the slightest attention; so he repeated his remark, with no better success.

"I should think you might turn around," at last he said in a dudgeon, "and speak to a body once in a while."