Part 85

"Well, they needn't," said Clare indignantly, "because I don't think you are a goose at all."

"Those two are getting on quite well," said Jasper to Polly. "I don't think we need to worry about Cathie any more."

"And isn't she nice?" asked Polly, in great delight.

"Yes, I think she is, Polly," said Jasper, in a way that gave Polly great satisfaction.

But when this delightful evening was all over, and the good nights had been said, and Mother Fisher, as was her wont, had come into Polly's room to help her take off her things, and to say a few words to Cathie too, Polly began to remember the scene in Mrs. Chatterton's room; and a sorry little feeling crept into her heart.

And when Mamsie had gone out and everything was quiet, Polly buried her face in her pillow, and tried not to cry. "I don't believe she will ever forgive me, or let me help her again."

"Polly," called Cathie softly from the next room, "I did have the most beautiful time!"

"Did you?" cried Polly, choking back her sobs. "Oh, I am so glad, Cathie!"

"Yes," said Cathie, "I did, Polly, and I'm not afraid of boys now; I think they are real nice."

"Aren't they!" cried Polly, "and weren't our seats fine! Grandpapa didn't want a box to-night, because we could see the play so much better from the floor. But we ought to go to sleep, Cathie, for Mamsie wouldn't like us to talk. Good night."

"Good night," said Cathie. "A box!" she said to herself, as she turned on her pillow, "oh, I should have died to have sat up in one of those. It was quite magnificent enough where I was."

XXII PICKERING DODGE

"Jasper!"

Jasper, rushing down the long hall of the Pemberton School, books in hand, turned to see Mr. Faber standing in the doorway of his private room.

"I want to see you, Jasper."

Jasper, with an awful feeling at his heart, obeyed and went in. "It's all up with Pick," he groaned, and sat down in the place indicated on the other side of the big round table, Mr. Faber in his accustomed seat, the big leather chair.

"You remember the conversation I had with you, Jasper," he said slowly; and picking up a paper knife he began playing with it, occasionally glancing up over his glasses at the boy.

Jasper nodded, unable to find any voice. Then he managed to say, "Yes, sir."

"Well, now, Jasper, it was rather an unusual thing to do, to set one lad, as it were, to work upon another in just that way. For I am sure I haven't forgotten my boyhood, long past as it is, and I realize that the responsibilities of school life are heavy enough, without adding to the burden."

Mr. Faber, well pleased with this sentiment, waited to clear his throat. Jasper, in an agony, as he saw Pickering Dodge expelled, and all the dreadful consequences, sat quite still.

"At the same time, although I disliked to take you into confidence, making you an assistant in the work of reclaiming Pickering Dodge from his idle, aimless state, in which he exhibited such a total disregard for his lessons, it appeared after due consideration to be the only thing left to be done. You understand this, I trust, Jasper."

Jasper's reply this time was so low as to be scarcely audible. But Mr. Faber, taking it for granted, manipulated the paper knife a few times, and went on impressively.

"I am very glad you do, Jasper. I felt sure, knowing you so well, that my reasons would appeal to you in the right way. You are Pickering's best friend among my scholars."

"And he is mine," exploded Jasper, thinking wildly that it was perhaps not quite too late to save Pickering. "I've known him always, sir." He was quite to the edge of his chair now, his dark eyes shining, and his hair tossed back. "Beg pardon, Mr. Faber, but I can't help it. Pickering is so fine; he's not like other boys."

"No, I believe you." Mr. Faber smiled grimly and gave the paper knife another whirl. And much as Jasper liked him, that smile seemed wholly unnecessary, and to deal death to his hopes.

"He certainly is unlike any other boy in my school in regard to his studying," he said. "His capacity is not wanting, to be sure; there was never any lack of that. For that reason I was always hoping to arouse his ambition."

"And you can--oh, you can, sir!" cried Jasper eagerly, although he felt every word he said to be unwelcome, "if you will only try him a bit longer. Don't send him off yet, Mr. Faber."

He got off from his chair, and leaned on the table heavily.