Part 79

Jasper, ahead with Pickering Dodge, looked back longingly.

"Oh, I do wish, Grandpapa," said Polly, "that Jasper could walk home with us."

"So do I, Polly," said the old gentleman; "but you see he can't, for then I should have the whole bunch of those chattering creatures around me," and he laughed grimly. "You must tell him all about what we are talking of, as soon as you get home."

"Yes, I will," declared Polly, "the very first thing. Now, Grandpapa, please go on."

"Well, I had told Mrs. Corcoran all about the new house, you know, Polly, before."

"Yes, I know, Grandpapa," said Polly, with a happy little wriggle.

"And so to-day I explained about the bank-book; told her where the money was deposited, and showed her how to use it. By the way, Polly, Jasper made a good speech now, didn't he?" The old gentleman broke off, and fairly glowed with pride.

"Oh, didn't he!" cried Polly, in a burst. "I thought it was too splendid for anything! And he didn't know in the least that he had to do it. He thought you were going to give the bank-book, Grandpapa."

"I know it," chuckled Mr. King. "Well now, Polly, I thought I'd try my boy without warning. Because, you see, that shows what stuff a person is made of to respond at such a time, and he's all right, Jasper is; he came up to the demand nicely."

"It was perfectly elegant!" cried Polly, with glowing cheeks.

"And those two boys--the largest ones--are to begin in the other public school next week," continued the old gentleman.

"Everything begins next week, doesn't it, Grandpapa?" cried Polly.

"It seems so," said Mr. King, with a laugh. "Well, Polly, here we are at our car."

And having the good luck to find it nearly empty, the whole party hopped on, and began the ride back again.

"Now," said Jasper, when they had reached home, "for some comfort," and he drew Polly off into a quiet corner in the library. "Let's have the whole, Polly. You said you'd tell me what you and father were talking of all the way home."

"And so I will," cried Polly, too elated to begin at the right end. "Well, Jasper, you must know that Arethusa's piano is actually engaged."

"It is!" exclaimed Jasper. "Hurrah!"

"Yes," said Polly, with shining eyes, "and it's going into the new home the very first thing. Grandpapa promised me that."

"Isn't father good!" cried Jasper, a whole world of affection in his dark eyes.

"Good?" repeated Polly, "he's as good as good can be, Jasper King!"

"Well, what else?" cried Jasper.

"And the boys--the two biggest ones--are going into the other public school, the one nearest their new home, you know."

"Yes, I see," said Jasper, "that's fine. That will bring them in with better boys."

"Yes, and Grandpapa told Mrs. Corcoran all about the money we made at the entertainment, and that he put it in the bank for her this morning. And he showed her how to use the check-book."

"Polly," said Jasper, very much excited, "what if we girls and boys hadn't done this for those children! Just think, Polly, only suppose it!"

"I know it," cried Polly. "Oh, Jasper!" drawing a long breath. "But then, you see, we did do it."

"Yes," said Jasper, bursting into a laugh, "we surely did, Polly."

XXI AT THE PLAY