CHAPTER 20 I SHOULD MAKE HIM HAPPY, SAID FRONSI. Polly got Jasper away into a side corridor by a beseeching little pull on his sleeve.  Well, he IS big and fat, declared Jasper. We can't say he isn't Polly. That I meant it all against him, said Polly, shaking her head. You know I did Jasper, she added remorsefully. Yes, we neither of us liked him, said Jasper, and that's the honest truth, Polly. And to think it was that great hair-bow-recky, exclaimed Polly, then her feelings overcame her, and she sank down on the cushioned seat in the angle. Jasper sat down beside her. I suppose it won't do to say anything about people after this until we know them. Will it, Polly? Jasper declared Polly, clasping her hands, while the rosy color flew over her cheek. I'm never going to say a single. Then the big form of hair-bow-recky loomed up before them as he turned into the corridor. Polly shrank up in her corner as small as she could, wishing she was as little as Frenzy and could hop up and run away.  I mean, Twiz tended to speak to your grandfather first. That not seemed best now. The great man was really talking to them, and Polly held her breath, not daring to look into his face, but keeping her gaze on his wonderful fingers. My child, those wonderful fingers seized her own and clasped them tightly. You have great promise, mind you. You know only a little now, and you must work, work, work. He brought it out so sharply that the last word was fairly shrill, but I think you will, he added kindly, dropping his tone. Then he laid her fingers gently in her lap. Oh, she does, sir, exclaimed Jasper, finding his tongue first, for Polly was beyond speaking. Polly works all the time she can.  I hear that in the music she play. No little girl play like that who doesn't work. I will hear you sometime at the hotel, he added abruptly, and tell you some things that will help you. Tomorrow, maybe, when we go down from this place, eh? Oh, sir, exclaimed Polly, springing up from her cushion before Jasper could stop her. You are so good, but I cannot.  Eh? exclaimed her-bow-recky, and pushing up his spectacles to stare into her flushed and troubled face. Perhaps I not make my meaning clear, I mean I give you of my time and my best advice. Now you understand, eh? He included Jasper in his puzzled glance. Yes, sir, Jasper made haste to say. We do understand, and it is so very good of you, and Polly will accept it, sir, for father will make it all right with him as to the payment. He reflected easily.  That is something like tomorrow, then, we. But oh, sir, Polly interrupted. I cannot. And she twisted her hands in distress. I-I didn't like you, and I said so. Then she turned very pale, and her head drooped. Jasper leaned over and took her hand. Neither did I, sir. He said, I was just as bad as Polly. You not tink me nice-looking, so, said her-bow-recky. Well, I not tink so myself, either. And I scare you, maybe, with this. And he twisted his black beard with his long fingers. Ah, so, well, we will forget all this, little girl. And he bent down and took Polly's other fingers that hung by her side. And if you not let me come tomorrow to your little music room and tell you some things to help you learn better, I shall know that you know like me now. Oh, sir, Polly lifted her face, flooded with rosy color up to her brown hair. If you will only forgive me. I know forgive. I not remember it. Oh, said her-bow-recky, waving his long fingers in the air.  And he strode down the corridor. Polly and Jasper rushed off. They scarcely knew how to grand-papa to tell him the wonderful news to find him in a truly dreadful state of mind. When they had told their story, he was as much worse as could be imagined. Impossible, impossible, was all he could say. But he brought his hand down on the table before him with so much force that Jasper felt a strange sinking of heart. What could be the matter? Why children and you all? For his whole party was before him, exclaimed Mr. King. Her-bow-recky is that impertinent person who annoyed me this morning, and I called him fellow to his face. It was so very much worse than Jasper had dreamed that he collapsed into the first chair, all Polly's prospects melting off like dew before the sun. Little Dr. Fisher was the first to speak.  Polly, who had never seen Jasper give way like this, forgot her own distress and rushed up to him. Oh, don't Jasper, she begged. You see, I can't allow her-bow-recky to give any lessons or advice to Polly after this, went on Mr. King hastily. Of course he would be paid, but under the circumstances it wouldn't do, not in the least. It is quite out of the question, he went on, as if someone had been contradicting him. But no one said a word. Why don't some of you speak? He asked, breaking the pause. Dr. Fisher, you don't generally keep us waiting for your opinion. Speak out now, man, and let us have it. It is an awkward affair, surely, began the little doctor slowly. Awkward, I should say so, frowned Mr. King. It's awkward to the last degree. Here's a man who bumps into me in a hotel passage, though for that matter I suppose it's really my fault as much as his, and I offer to pick up his spectacles that were dropped in the encounter, and he tells me that he is glad that we ran up against each other, for it gives him a chance to tell me what is on his mind, as if I cared what was on his mind, or on the mind of anyone else for that matter. He declared in extreme irritation, and I told him to his face that he was an impertinent fellow, and to get out of my way, yes I did. A light began to break on little Dr. Fisher's face, that presently shone through his big spectacles, fairly beaming on them all. Then he burst into a laugh, hardy and long. Why, Adoniram exclaimed Mother Fisher in surprise. Polly turned a distressed face at him, and to say that old Mr. King stared would be stating the case very mildly indeed.  Oh dear me, I should like to have been there to see you both, and did Dr. Fisher faintly. Then he went off into another laugh. I don't see much cause for amusement, said old Mr. King grimly, when this idea broke into his mind, for it's a certain fact that I called him a fellow and told him to get out of the way. Well, he doesn't bear you any malice apparently, said the little Dr., who having been requested to speak, saw no reason for withholding any opinion he might chance to have. For, if he did, he wouldn't have made that handsome offer to Polly. That may be, the offer is handsome enough, answered Mr. King. That is the trouble, it's too handsome, I cannot possibly accept it under the awkward circumstances. No children, he turned to Polly and Jasper as if they had been beseeching him all the while. You needn't ask it or expect it, and he got out of his chair and stalked from the room. Jasper buried his face in his hands, and a deep gloom settled over the whole party, on all but little Dr. Fisher. He pranced over to Polly and Jasper, just as merrily as if nothing dreadful had happened.  Oh, you don't know father, grown Jasper, his head in his hands, when he thinks the right thing hasn't been done or said.  Nonsense, exclaimed Dr. Fisher, yet he had a dreadful feeling coming over him, and he turned to Polly imploringly. Oh, I do believe it, Jasper, cried Polly, what Papa Doctor says, and just look at Mamsey. She cried beneath her breath. And truly Mother Fisher was having a hard time to control herself. That Jasper could see as he lifted his head. And the little Doctor also saw and skipped back across the room to her side. And Franzi, feeling plunged into the deepest woe by all this dreadful state of affairs that had come too bewilderingly for her to rally to Grand Papa's side, first began to cry. And then, sinking better of it, went softly out of the door, and no one noticed her when she went with the tears running down her cheeks. Down the long corridor she hurried, not knowing which way Grand Papa went, but turning into the little reading room, she spied him sitting by the table. The apartment was otherwise empty. He wasn't reading, not even looking at a paper, but sitting bolt upright and lost in thought. Grand Papa, she said, laying a soft little hand on his arm.  And she nestled up to his side. Eh! Oh, Franzi child! Old Mr. King put his arm around her and drew her closely to him. So you came after your old Grand Daddy, did you? Yes, I did, said Franzi, with a glad little cry, snuggling up tighter to him while the tears trailed off down his waistcoat, but not before he had seen them. Now, Franzi, you are not to cry any more, he said with a pang at the sight. You won't, dear, promise me that. So Franzi promised, and he held her hands, and clearing his throat he began. Well, now I suppose they felt pretty badly back there in the room, your mother and all. Eh, Franzi? Yes, Grand Papa, said Franzi, her round face falling. Yet she had promised not to cry, and although she had a hard time of it, every tear was kept back valiantly. And Polly now, asked old Mr. King cautiously, and Jasper, how were they feeling? Grand Papa? Franzi did not trust herself to reply, but springing up, she laid her rosy little mouth close to his ear. What does it all the dreadful thing mean, she whispered.  Oh, no, Grand Papa, dear, contradicted Franzi, falling back from him in horror. You couldn't ever be that what you say, and she flung both arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. What? An idiot?  For the little arms clutched him so tightly he could hardly breathe. Oh, Grand Papa, she wailed, and drawing away a bit to look at him, he saw her face convulsed with the effort not to cry. Don't say such things. You are never naughty, Grand Papa, dear. You can't be, she gasped. There, there, there, ejaculated old Mr. King, frightened at the effect of his words, and patting her yellow hair at his wit's end what to say. So he broke out. Well now, Franzi, you must tell me what to do. There upon Franzi, seeing there was something she could really do to help Grand Papa, came out of her distress enough to sit up quite straight and attentive in his lap. You see, I spoke rudely to a man, and I called him a fellow, and he was a gentleman. Franzi, you must remember that. Yes, I will, Grand Papa, she replied obediently, while her eyes never wandered from his face. And I told him to get out of the way, and he did, said Mr. King, forcing himself to a repetition of the unpleasant truth. Oh, dear me, nothing could be worse, he groaned. And you are sorry, Grand Papa, dear? Franzi leaned over and laid her cheeks softly against his. Yes, I am Franzi awfully sorry, confessed the old gentleman. But what good will that do now? My temper has made a terrible mess of it all. But you can tell the gentleman you are sorry, said Franzi. Oh, Grand Papa, dear, do go and tell him now this very minute.  I can't, you don't understand. Oh, dear me. Mr. King set her abruptly on the floor, and took a few turns up and down the room.  When she saw the distress on his face, she ran up to him and seized his hand, but didn't speak. You see, child, he grasped her ringers and held them closely. It's just this way. The gentleman wants to do me a favor, that is, to help Polly with her music. Does he? cried Franzi, and she laughed in delight. Oh, Grand Papa, how nice, and Polly will be so happy. But I cannot possibly accept it, groaned old Mr. King. Don't you see, child, after treating him so? Why, how could I? The idea is too monstrous. He set off now at such a brisk pace down the room that Franzi had hard work to keep up with him. But he clung to her hand. Won't that make the gentleman sorry? panted Franzi trotting along by his side.  What's that, you say, Franzi? Won't the gentleman feel sorry? repeated Franzi, pushing back the waves of yellow hair that had fallen over her face to look up at him. And won't he feel badly then, Grand Papa? Hey, oh, perhaps, assented Mr. King slowly, and passing a troubled hand across his brow.  So the two got into the big chair again, and Franzi folded her hands in her lap. Now begin, said old Mr. King. I should make the gentleman happy, Grand Papa, said Franzi decidedly.  Hey, think now, Franzi. I should make the gentleman happy, repeated Franzi, and she bobbed her head decidedly. I really should, Grand Papa. Then the best way is to have it over with as soon as possible, said old Mr. King. So come on, child, and you can see that the business is done up in good shape. He gathered her little fingers up in his hand, and, setting her once more on the floor, they passed out of the apartment. The door of the private parlor belonging to Mr. King's rooms was flung wide open and into the gloomy interior, for Mother Fisher and Jasper was still inconsolable. Marched old Mr. King. The door of the private parlor belonging to Mr. King's rooms was flung wide open and into the gloomy interior, for Mother Fisher and Jasper was still inconsolable. Marched old Mr. King. He was arm in arm so far as the two could at once compass the doorway with Herr Bauricki, while Franzi ducked and scuttled in as she could for the big German, with ever so many honorary degrees to his name, held her hand fast. Old Mr. King continued his march up to Mother Fisher. Allow me to introduce Herr Bauricki, Professor and Doctor of Music, of Worldwide Distinction, he said, bowing his courtly old head. And then Mother Fisher, self-controlled as she had always been, astonished him by turning to her husband to supply the answering word. Glad to see you, exclaimed the little Doctor, bubbling over with happiness and ringing the long fingers extended. My wife is overcome with delight, which the big German understood very well, and he smiled his knowledge of it as he looked into her black eyes. She is like to minefrow, he thought, having no higher praise, and then he turned quickly to Polly and Jasper. End of Chapter 20, Recording by Cynthia Lyons Chapter 21, A Five Little Peppers of Bride This is a LibriVox Recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. For all that grand old Reggie summoned to claim them, it was some time before Mr. King's party left the little parliament. Herr Bauricki surely didn't want to until he had garnet settled just what he did mean about Polly's music. Now she showed great promise, and had some faults in the ways she had been taught were there, but it was by no means too late to mend them. Now she had spirit and expression and love for the art. Ah, that is it! After all, Herr Brudduck clashed his long fingers and beamed at her, and then swept the entire party. Lafay, I'll have one muscle out there yet, if not shame, shame! His countenance darkened frightfully, and he barely blurted them as he unclasped its hands and swung one over his head, while his black beard vibrated with each word. Goodness me, exclaimed Tom Swann, and takes a musical man to sling around, I say. Jasper, I'd like to do a bit of boxing or cricketing with them, but Jasper didn't hear or see anything but Herr Bauricki and Polly, and indeed the whole room was given up to the musical man in his words. At last Polly drew a long, bright grand papa sticking her hand. Let's all go out and explore a bit, and off they went to the entire party, and the musical man, as Tom still continued to call him in private, proved to be as expert to the use of his feet as his fingers, and he led them here, there, and everywhere that promised the least chance for a good view. The Polly saw only the glorious future when on the morrow Herr Bauricki would really show her on the piano how best to study and to work, and the rosy glow of sunset wasn't one half as bright as all her dreams. Polly, said Vondie, pouring her hand gently as she peered up into her face. Are you looking at it, wet pet? Oh yes, said Polly. Starting out of her reverie with a little lack, you mean the sunset. Yes, said Vondie. I do mean that. Are you looking at it, Polly? Because if you're not looking, I wish you would, Polly. Well, I suppose I am looking at it, Vondie, said Polly with another little lack, but perhaps not in just the right way. When you see Vondie, I can't seem to see anything but just a splendid thing that is coming tomorrow. Oh, Vondie, pepper, just think of that. I know, said Vondie, the little gurgle of the light of poisonous, and I am so glad, Polly. Of course you are, declared Polly warmly, just as glad as can be, Vondie, and she threw her arm around her. And now I'm going to look at the sunset in the right way, I hope. Isn't it beautiful, child? Polly, declared Vondie, suddenly wriggling away from Polly's arm, just standing around her with a beaming face. I think it's just as beautiful as it can be up top here. I can see right in between that red cloud and that little pink tinty one. And I wish I could just go in, Polly. Wouldn't it be nice, echoed Polly enthusiastically? Oh, to go in between these clouds there and see it all, said Polly. Dear me, explained Adela, I shouldn't like it. I'd much rather stay down here and sketch it. We could go sailing off, oh, ever so far, said Polly, swaying her arms to suit the actions of the words. And you'd be stuck to your rock here, Adela, while Vondie, you and I would sit on the edge of a cloud and let our feet hang over. And, oh, Adela, you could sketch us then as we went sailing by. Oh, that would look, exclaimed Adela, with such a face that Polly burst out into a merry laugh. And Vondie, joining with her little crowed delight and clapping her hands, the idea of such fun, wrapped pretty much the whole party around them. What's up? cried Tom, to Jasper, on the way to the girls, with some fear, where he didn't dare even yet to talk much to Polly, as for Adela, he let her severely alone. Don't know, so Jasper, but we'll soon find out. And they did, by Fransy's flying away from Polly and skipping down over the rocks to meet them. Oh, Jasper, Polly is telling how we would sail on that beautiful cloud, announced Fransy, her yellow hair flying from her face as she sped along, heedless of her steps. Take care of your fall, warned Jasper.  And truth to tell, Mrs. Fisher, on a point of rocks a little way off with others, was getting a bit alarmed as she saw the progress of her baby. I'll take care, said Fransy, sobering down at thought of Namzy's being troubled, and beginning to pick her way carefully, and Jasper gathered up her fingers and his, making of the time when she toiled up and down the long stairway when she first came to what was now her home. Blessed thought. And Polly and he set down the foot to watch her. And so Polly and you were going to try sailing on that cloud there, said Jasper, splitting up at the brilliant sky. We are really going, Jasper, said Fransy, shaking our heads soberly, because we see we can't. But Polly's pretending it all, and we're just sitting on the edge and swinging our feet, and the devil is going to make a picture of us. Woo! whistled Jasper. And they say Polly. For now they are scrambled up to the two girls. It is in their room for us on that cloud too. While Tom kicked pebbles and wished he knew how to talk to girls. Perhaps said Polly daily, always opposed that those who couldn't get on our clouds could take the next one. I'd rather have your cloud Polly, said Jasper. And Grandpa Polly must come too, cried Fransy. An alarm with a very thought of his being left out. I want him on our cloud Polly. Yes, and Mamsey and Papa Doctor finished Polly ready for any nonsense. She was just bubbling over so with joy at thought of the marrow and what it would bring. While it is good the cloud is big, spinning up at the radiant sky. And Tom, you are coming on that cloud boat. Jasper pulled him forward with a merry laugh, giving him a clap on the back at the same time. Eh, oh, I can't, no, thank you, Stammered Tom. That suddenly brought him to notice. Excuse me, just as if the invitation had been a bonafide one. Polly never smiled, but Adele giggled right out. Tom's face flushed and he rushed off furiously and determined never to chance it again, whereby he'd be mortified before girls, not he.  Jasper spoke first. I must go after him. And he dashed down the rocks. Oh dear me, I couldn't help it, said Adele, twisting uncomfortably. He was so silly and had to take it all in earnest. He didn't really think we meant it. Zipolly, her brown eyes very grave, would Jasper really persuade him to forget that laugh? But he is shy and he said the first thing that came into his head. Will he have any right to be shy, said Adele, busting with her little sketching block and pencil? They are so big and strong. Why did Tom run away so fast? asked Fronzy, only half-comprehending.  And isn't Jasper coming back? asked Fronzy in great distress. Yes, oh, I guess so, said Polly. Well there, the pretty glow has all faded, see, Fronzy, pointing up to the lead in clouds that no one who had failed to see if he knew the four could have imagined a live with color. No, he ought to run over to others, for they'll be going back to the hotel. It's all gone, said Fronzy, sadly, looking up at the darkening sky. Polly, where has the pretty red and pink gone to? Oh, I don't know, it's a Polly, thinking only of Tom and what a hard time Jasper must be having with him.  There, take my hand, now come on. Oh dear me, I didn't mean to laugh, Adela was saying to herself as she fell back in the zig-zag path down the rocks. I wish I hadn't. Oh, oh, what she meant to do wasn't very clear in her mind. What she did do was to run up to her grandmothers in her room and toss her sketchbook on the table and herself on the bed for a good hearty cry. Polly found her there when they couldn't find her anywhere else, with much searching and running about. Little old Mrs. Gray was wearing dreadfully, so it effrayed she had been blown from the rocks for the wind and now risen, and all the travelers were seeking the shelter and warmth of the hotel's hoarder and parlours. Oh Adela, how could you, Polly was going to say, and then she thought that would be the very worst thing in all the world, or Adela's shoulders were shaking and it would only make her cry worse. And besides, Polly remembered how she had sometimes given away in just this fashion, and how much worse she would have been had it not been for a wise good mother. So she ran out in the hall. I must tell her grandmother, she said to herself. Have you found her, as desperate looking up from the foot of the staircase? Yes, said Polly. I have, alright, and just her vanished and Polly went slowly back, wishing she could be downstairs with all the dear people, instead of trying to comfort this dismal girl. The next moment she was kneeling down by the side of the bed and trying to get hold of one of Adela's hands. But Adela bounced over to the farthest side and she cried out angrily. It's all very well for you to say so because you didn't do it, and everybody likes you. Oh dear me! But I've often done things just as bad, confessed Polly. And Adela, I've cried like this too, but Mom's saying, oh Adela, she made me see it was wrong, so I'd stop it, you know? How is it wrong? asked Adela, rolling over and taking the handkerchief away from when I enough to see Polly pepper space. I can cry I guess if I want to without asking anybody.  I mean no one can. Why not, pray tell, said Adela sniffing very hard. My eyes are my own and I shall cry too, whenever I want to. Well I can't just tell you exactly why you can't cry when you want to, said Polly. I pray she wasn't going to say the right word. Though Monzy could, if she were here, I'll go and call her Adela and Polly spring to her feet. She'll come and know. Oh no, no, cried Adela in her mortal alarm. I don't want her, I mean I'd rather have you near a girl and a woman talking at me scares me. Then you mustn't cry if I stay, said Polly, stopping short and seeing her advantage. For I surely shall go Adela, she added firmly, unless you stop crying.  I can't stop, I've always cried as much as I wanted to.   See Polly? Where Polly had slipped out of the room. Adela flew up in the bed. Polly, Polly, Polly. She called in a piteous little tone. Polly hopped down the stairs up back.  Now that's fine, come, as she held out her hand. Mercy me in all my credit, Adela. I can't go looking like this while I'm a perfect sight. I know Polly Pepper. My nose feels all bunched out of shape and as big. Never mind, said Polly, as reassuringly. Just dash some water over it and it'll be all right. I'll wait here for you. So Polly stood on her stair while Adela, bemoaning all the way that she didn't look fit to be seen, and as she was a perfect sight then she couldn't go down among them all, stumbled back into her room, and pretty soon Polly heard a big splash. Oh dear me, oh what shall I do? What is the matter? cried Polly, deserving her stare to run in and up to the wash stand. Just see what I've done, exclaimed Adela holding up one arm. It was dripping wet and the water was running off into the stream and down to meet a small puddle where the splash had struck on the floor. The picture slipped. Oh dear me. Oh, good cried Adela, wriggling all over. Stand still, said Polly. Do Adela till I wipe your sleeve dry. As she got the towel and began to soften to pat Adela's arm, it never all feel dry. It's perfectly awful. Ah, good Polly, pepper. Neclared Adela, twisting away from Polly's fingers.  Ah, oh dear me. And it gives me the creeps. You'll have to put on another waist, I do think, said Polly, hanging up the towel and gas to find herself growing angry at all this delay. And with half in mind to run and leave Adela to herself. Oh dear me. And there's this water running all over the floor, cried Adela, stepping gingerly over the pole and trying to pick off the wet sleeve from her arm at the same time. I'll fix it to Polly as cheerfully as she could while you get your waist on. And she's soft the water up. There, that's done. She announced her satisfaction. Now do hurry, Adela.  Said Adela, very red in the face and pulling and twitching on it. Take care, you'll tear it, worn Polly. I don't care if I do, said Adela, peevishly. Oh dear me. Somebody's coming. With that she flew into the closet and pulled to the door. Why Polly explained to Mother Fisher in surprise. Why is the matter? We are all waiting to go into dinner. Oh I am so sorry, began Polly, feeling as if nothing would be so delightful as to have a good cry in mom's these arms and tell all the story. Well you must come, hanging away, said Mrs Fisher. Why, where is Adela? Looking around the room. I'm here, said Adela, from the closet. Come out here, Adela, said Mrs Fisher. So Adela came out. The wet sleeve still on her arms, but she had gone in and out of the rest of the waist. That's too bad, said Mrs Fisher. And then in a minute, Adela's wet arm was free and nicely dried. An unclean waist being found, it was soon on, and then Mother Fisher took up the hairbrush. We must have this all nice and smooth, she said. And Adela stood still, liking it all very much. And her hair was brushed, much as if she had been fronzy and then Mother Fisher released her with a smile. There, now you are ready, she said. She didn't scold a bit, said Adela, going after her with Polly downstairs, ever getting her red eyes and swollen nose. Our mother never scolds, declared Polly with her head very high. Never in all this world, Adela gray. And at dinner, Tom Selwyn looked across the table, and when he cost sight of Adela's face, and saw that someone else could feel as badly as he could, and then guessed the reason, he made up his mind what he was going to do next. And as soon as the mill was over, without giving himself time to think, he marched up to Adela, saying, I didn't mind much because you laughed, don't you know? And held out his hand. I've been crying ever since, said Adela, and I didn't mean to laugh. I know it, to Tom, the first part of her sentence, looking at her nose. Well, never mind now, so it's quits and shake hands. I don't know what quits is, said Adela, putting out her hand. Oh, it's when things are evened up somehow, to Tom. Not exactly that, but it'll do well enough by way of explaining. And I'm never going to laugh again at anybody, said Adela, lifting her red eyes.  So Tom, I could do drops, repeated Adela, very much puzzled. I don't know it. Why, what a wopper, Tom was going to say, but changed it too. Why, I saw you playing it last night with Polly Pepper. Do I know you did it? Said Adela, not very politely. That was checkers. That's the same thing, said Tom, trying to offend me.  Well, I think it's a great deal nicer named than drops, said Adela. That's silly. Well, checkers, that's senseless, retorted Tom. And besides, you Americans always say nice at everything.  Oh, never mind. Call it checkers in. I don't care. Let's have a game. And he rushed for the board. Mrs. Selwin looked from her corner where she had taken a book and smiled to see him playing a game with a girl. And she nodded over to Jasper and he smiled back. And Adela never once thought how she looked. And she beat Tom twice. And that quite set her up. And then for the next three games, he routed her men completely off the board. And estranged to say, she kept her temper and even smiled at the disaster. That's a good game. Old Mr. King came up as the last one was going on. Tom, my boy, you play a fun one. And she fights well, said Tom, generously. She beat me twice. You don't say so, explained Mr. King. Well, that's doing pretty well, Adela, to get ahead of the English lad. That you don't stand much of a chance this time. Tom's got the game, sure. And so it proved in less time than it takes to ride it. And then everybody said good night to everybody else for the alpine horn would sound at the earliest dawn to awaken the sleepers to see the sunrise. Momzie, cried Polly, raising her head till she'd covered into bed, supposing we shouldn't hear that horn. Just supposing it. Oh, can't I stay awake? Do let me, Momzie. Your grandfather has made arrangements for us all to be called, said Mrs. Fisher. So you won't have to depend on the horn. And now you must go to sleep just as fast as ever you can. Then you'll be as bright as a button in the morning, Polly. Momzie, said Polly. Momzie, said Polly. I don't think grandpa Polly has kept from doing anything he could to make us happy. Do you, Momzie? Not a single thing. No, some other Fisher. I don't, Polly. End of chapter. This chapter was read by Ryan Satterfield, www.ryansatterfield.com. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Linda McDaniel. Five Little Peppers Abroad by Margaret Sidney. Chapter 22 Polly Tries to Help Momzie, what shall we do? Polly clasped her hands in despair and looked down on Franzie, sleeping away as if she meant to take her own time to wake up, regardless of sunrise on the ridge. Oh, dear me, and she went to bed so early last night on purpose. You go right along, Polly, said Mother Fisher. Put on your golf cape over your jacket, child. It's dreadfully cold out there. I shall stay with Franzie, for, of course, we wouldn't leave her alone with Matilda, and all go off for a nice time. No, of course not, cried Polly in horror at the mere thought. And she's in such a nice sleep and so warm that it's a pity to wake her up, finished Mrs. Fisher. Oh, dear me, cried Polly in distress, I'd rather stay, Mamzie, and have you go. No, said Mrs. Fisher firmly, I shall stay, so that is all there is about it, Polly. Now run along, child, and tell Matilda to hurry out, too, for she wants to see the sunrise. Polly still lingered until her mother looked up in surprise. Why, Polly, she said reprovingly. Oh, dear me, exclaimed Polly, I didn't mean to disobey, Mamzie, I really didn't, I'll go.  When she joined her group it would have been rather hard to distinguish any of them, as everyone was wrapped up in shawls and rugs. If Jasper hadn't been a sort of scout in waiting for her, and Mrs. Fisher and Fronzie, and Tom could easily be pecked out, for he hung around in Jasper's wake, and besides he was so very big. Where are they, asked Jasper, looking down the corridor back of her. Oh, Mamzie isn't coming, nor Fronzie either, for she's asleep, and Mamzie made me come. Finished Polly dismally. Oh, dear me, said Jasper, quite gone in sympathy. Tom's cell when poked his head forward to hear, but, as it was something quite beyond his powers to help, he thrust his hands into his pockets and kicked aimlessly on the floor. Well, come on, Polly, said Jasper, wishing he could lift the gloom from Polly's face and feeling quite dismal himself. Little Dr. Fisher muffled up in a big plaid shawl so that only his spectacles gleamed in between the foals and his cap, suddenly edged up back of Polly and dropped the foals away from his ears so that he could hear what was going on. And when the group hurried out of the door, into the cold gray dawn, he was skipping down to his wife's room in the liveliest way imaginable. Oh, Mr. King had gone on ahead with the parson, as he couldn't scramble so fast, and now he met them with, Well, are you all here? Where's Fronzie? Oh, Jasper, I can't tell him, gasped Polly up on the tip-top bunch of rocks and trying to be glad of the promise of the beautiful sunrise to come, for everybody agreed that it was apparently to be the best one that had gladdened the hearts of travelers for years.  As true as you live it is, cried Jasper with a good look and springing down the rocks to help her up. Tom Selwyn plunged after him, getting there first. So in the bustle nobody answered Mr. King, and he, supposing from the merry chatter that Fronzie was in the midst of it, concluded it best not to interrupt their fun, even if he could make them here. Your father made me come, Polly, said Mrs. Fisher, coming up between the two boys, but I'd so much rather that he saw it, and her downcast face looked so very much like Polly that Jasper thought matters hadn't bettered themselves any. But Mamsey, said Polly creeping up with her with all the comfort she could, it makes him happy, just as it made you happy to have me go. I know it, said Mother Fisher with a sigh, but he has so few pleasures, Polly, and he works so hard, and her gaze wandered off to the distant clouds, slowly beginning to break away. Polly held her breath as they waited and looked, although her heart was sad when the wee little streak of light began to come over in the east. Isn't that just beautiful? exclaimed Jasper, trying to enjoy it as much as he had expected. See, Polly, the stars seem going out. Daylight's coming. I know, said Polly, so it is. Sure enough, a little strip of gold touched up the leaden sky and spread slowly. See, it's turning pink! Mrs. Selwyn's plain, quiet face glowed. See, Polly, look at that peak bathed in color. Just then a little voice said, Oh, isn't that beautiful? And whirling around on her rock, Polly saw little Dr. Fisher staggering along with a big bundle in his arms, out of which was peering Frenzy's face. Mother Fisher had turned to, Oh, Adoniram, was all she said as Polly sprang off to meet them. Give her to me, cried Tom Selwyn, of course reaching there first, before either Polly or Jasper, and before Dr. Fisher quite knew how, Frenzy was perched on the broad shoulder, and Tom was prancing up the rocky path as easily as if a bird had lighted on his arm. She woke up, luckily, said little Dr. Fisher, and she's bundled up, so there isn't a chance of her taking cold. Why, if this is grand, he gained her side and drew her hand under the big shawl. You've come just in time, cried Polly, skipping around on her rock to the imminent danger of falling on her nose and varying the exercises by cuddling Frenzy's toes done up in a big bundle. I declare if Papa Fisher hasn't tied them up in one of his blankets, she announced merrily, A blanket is just as good as anything when the sunrise is waiting for you, said the little Dr. Cooley. Isn't it, cried Polly, back at him happily, oh, oh! Everybody echoed, oh, oh! Then stood hush to silence, a rosy blush spread from peak to peak, and all the shadows fell away. Everything below, towns, villages, lakes, and forests, stood out in the clear cold dawn, and at last the sun burst forth in all his glory. I'm so glad that people don't chatter, said Polly, when at last they turned away, for the swift clouds had shut it all out. Did you see Frenzy's face, Jasper, when that light burst out? Yes, and fathers, answered Jasper. I expect he'd been looking for her. Everybody is so bundled up you can hardly find your best friend, and then he saw her. Yes, and she saw him and called him, said Polly. Didn't you hear her? Didn't I, though? Said Jasper, who could help it? Wasn't father pleased when he got up to us, Tom, to think you had Frenzy in such good shape? Frenzy, you're in luck. Pinching as much of her toes as the bundle of blanket would allow. You've got the best place of any of us up on that perch. I like it, said Frenzy in grave delight, very much indeed. Surveying them out of the depths of the shawl, and I wish it needn't stop. Well, it must, said Polly with a sigh. Dear me, see those people run. Well, it's cold, said Jasper. Let's you and I race to the hotel, Polly. And the show is over, said Tom. Why shouldn't they run? As Jasper and Polly set off, and he strode after, getting there nearly as soon. An hour later Polly, who couldn't get to sleep again, for a nap before breakfast, went out to the little balcony window just outside her door, where she might sit and write in her journal, and, meantime, catch any chance view that the gray, scutting clouds might afford. In this way she strode to work off the impatience possessing her for the beautiful hour to come after breakfast. I can hardly believe it now, she thought, and she gave herself a little pinch to see if she were really awake. It seems too good to be true to think that the great Professor Barrick is actually going to tell me how to learn to play well.  Polly clapped her book to and looked up. Oh, dear, dear! It was a tall, spare woman, with a face that had something about it like grandma bascoms. It must have been the cap frills flapping around her cheeks. What can I do for you? Ask Polly, springing up. Oh, do take my chair and sit down and tell me about it. Oh, will you help me? The land! I couldn't sit when I'm in such trouble. Declared the old woman, my senses I should fly off the handle. Polly, feeling that she was in the presence of some dreadful calamity, stood quite still. You see, me and my sister, she's in high strikes now in there. The old woman tossed her head to indicate a room further down the hall, where at the cap frills flapped wilder than ever. Being as it belonged to both of us, she feels as bad as I do. But as I was the one that lost it, why it stands to reason I've got to shake around and get it again. Say, will you help me? You've got a pair of bright eyes as ever I see in a head, and what's the good of them if you can't help in trouble like this? Polly, feeling that her eyes would never forgive her if she didn't let them help on such an occasion, promised. What is it you have lost? She asked. Don't you know? Cried the old woman impatiently. Mercy me, how many times shall I tell you? My bosom pin. It was took of Paul when he was a young man and awful handsome, and I didn't want to leave it in the room when we went out, because somebody might get in, and they'd be sure to want it, so I pinned it on my nightcap strings, and it's gone. And I a gallivanting around on them rocks, a looking at the sunrise, and I can see that to home all I want to. I must have been crazy. Oh, I see, and you want me to go out and help you look for it? said Polly, her brow clearing. Of course, assented the old woman impatiently.  My sakes, how many times do you expect me to tell you? I've been a-lookin' and a-peakin' everywhere, but my eyes are old, and I don't dare to tell anyone to help me. For like enough, they'd pick it up when I weren't seein' and slip Polly in their pocket, and I'd never see him again. Polly, feeling if Polly was slipped in a pocket and carried off, it would be a calamity indeed, said heartily, I'll get my jacket and cap, and come right out. She looks honest. I guess I ain't done no harm to tell her about our bosom pin, said the old woman to herself, as Polly disappeared. Mamsie bein' asleep, Polly could say nothing to her, but feeling that she would allow it if she knew, she threw on her things and ran out to meet the old woman, with a shawl tied over her nightcap and a big long cape on. I tell ya, she's in high strikes, said the old woman, goin' down the hall. That's our room, thirty-seven, and I've seen you and your folks goin' by, so I feel in some ways acquainted, and if I don't find Pa, I'll be flabbergasted myself. Two letters hurry, said Polly, her mind now only on Pa. So they went down the stairs and out by the door, and up the rocky path, just where the old woman, said she and sister Carleen, took when they went out to see the sunrise. And I wish we'd kept in bed, ejaculated Polly's companion. I most lost my teeth out, they chattered so, and so did Carleen hers. And that wouldn't have been nothing to lose in Pa, cause we could have got more teeth, but how could we have got him took when he was nineteen and so handsome? There, here, we stopped just at this identical spot. Well, I think we shall find it, said Polly consolingly. How did the pen look? She asked for the first time remembering to ask, and beginning to poke around in the crevices. My land sakes, I never see such a girl for wanting to be told over and over, exclaimed the old woman irritably, picking up first one ample gator and then another, to warm her cold toes in her hands. Haven't I told you he was awful handsome? Well, he had on his blue coat and big brass buttons for one thing, and his shirt front was ruffled, and was it gold around it? Asked Polly, poking away busily. Gold? I guess it was, and there was dents in it, where Carleen and I bit into it when we were babies, cause mother give it to us when our teeth was coming. Twas better in a chicken bone, she said. Oh, said Polly. Well, now you know, said Carleen's sister, and don't for mercy's sake ask any more useless questions. I'm most sorry I brung you.  They'd love to help, said Polly, feeling that she was very much out of place, and there was no hope of finding Pa under the circumstances. The old woman clutched her arm and held her fast. Don't you say a single word about any boys, she commanded.  She exploded. They're the worry of our lives. Carleen and me, they get into our garden and steal all our fruit, and they hang on behind our chase when we ride out, and keep me a looking round and slashing the whippetum the whole live long time. Oh, my boys. What in the world is Polly Pepper doing up on those rocks? cried Jasper, just spying her. Come on, Tom, and let's see. And they seized their caps and buttoned their jackets against the wind, which had just sprung up, and dashed off to see for themselves. Ugg, you go right away, screamed Carleen's sister, as their heads appeared over the point of rocks and shaken both hands fiercely at them. Phew, whispered Jasper with his eyes in surprise on Polly. And what old party are you, demanded Tom, finding it easy to talk to her as she was by no means a girl, and do you own this mountain anyway? Oh, don't beg Polly and Jasper if you would go away, please, and not ask any questions. All right, cried Jasper, swallowing his disappointment not to know. Come on, Tom, Polly doesn't want us here.  Why, you are boys. I know it, Tom bobbed his head at her. We've always been, ma'am.  Yes, I wouldn't trust them. So she kept on as they hurried back over the rocky path. That's a tiger for you, ejaculated Tom. Then he stopped and looked back a little anxiously. Aren't you afraid to leave Polly with her? No, so Jasper, it would trouble Polly to have a stay. Yet he stopped and looked anxious too. We will wait here. And after a while down came the two searchers, the old woman quite beside herself now and scolding every bit of the way. That she didn't see what bright eyes were for when they couldn't find anything, and now that Pod gone sliding down that mountain, they might as well give up. She and Carleen, when a sudden turn in the path, brought the boys into view waiting behind the rocks, then all her fury burst upon them. See here now, cried Tom, suddenly squaring up to her and looking at the face between the nodding cap frills. We are ready to take a certain amount of abuse, my friend and I, but we won't stand more, I can tell you. Oh, don't begin Polly clasping your hands. Oh, Tom, please keep still. She doesn't know what she's saying, for she's lost her pin with her father on. Hey, cried Jasper, say it again, Polly. While Tom shouted at Rord all through Polly's recital. Was it an old fright with a long nose in a blue coat and ruffles and as big as a turnip? He asked between the shouts. While Polly tried to say, yes, I guess so, and Miss Carleen's sister so far overcame her adversion to boys as to seize him by the arm. Tom shook her off like a feather. See here, old party. He cried, that ancient pen of yours is reposing in the hotel office at this blessed moment. Jasper and I, indicating his friend, ran across it on the rocks up there more than an hour ago, and, oh, pause found, exclaimed the old woman in a shrill scream of delight, beginning to trot down to the hotel office. Yes, it would have been impossible for Potter to have got off this mountain without making a landslide, said Tom after her. End of Chapter 22 Recording by Linda McDaniel, Atlanta, Georgia, February 2010 Chapter 23 Of Five Little Peppers Abroad This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Catherine Salazar, Five Little Peppers Abroad by Margaret Sidney, Chapter 23 In the Shadow of the Matterhorn They had been days at Dier Interlaken, walking up and down the Hoavik, of which they never tired, or resting on the benches under the plain and walnut trees opposite their hotel, just sitting still to gaze their fill upon the Yongfrau. This was best of all, so Polly and Jasper thought, and Franzi was content to pass hour after hour there by Grand Papa's side, and imagine all sorts of pretty pictures and stories in and about the snow-clad heights of the majestic mountain. And the throng of gaily dressed people so journeying in the big hotels, and the stream of tourists, past and repast, with many a curious glance at the stately white-haired old gentleman and the little yellow-haired girl by his side. A perfect beauty, explained more than one matron, with a sigh for her ugly girls by her side or left at home. She's stunning and no mistake. Many a connoisseur in feminine loveliness turned for a last look, or passed again for the same purpose. Grand Papa, Franzi praddled on, that looks just like a little tent up there, a little white tent, doesn't it, Grand Papa, dear? Yes, Franzi, said Grand Papa happily, just as he would have said yes, Franzi, if she had pointed out any other object in the snowy outline. And there's a cunning little place where you and I could creep into the tent, said Franzi, bending her neck like a meditative bird, and I very much wish we could, Grand Papa, dear. We'd find it pretty cold in there, said Grand Papa, and wish we were back here on this nice seat, Franzi. What makes it so cold up there, Grand Papa, when the sun shines, as Franzi suddenly, say, Grand Papa, what makes it? Oh, it's so far up in the air, answered old Mr. King. Don't you remember how cold it was up on the Regi, and that was about 9,000 feet lower? Oh, Grand Papa exclaimed Franzi in gentle surprise, unable to compass such figures. Mr. King's party had made one or two pleasant little journeys to the Lautabrunnen Valley, staying there and at Muren, and to Gründelwald as well, but they came back to sit on the benches by the walnut and the plain trees, in front of the matchless Jungfrau. And this is best of all, said Polly. And so the day slipped by till one morning at the breakfast table, Mrs. Selwyn said, tomorrow we must say goodbye, my boy and I. Hey, what? exclaimed Mr. King, setting his coffee cup down, not very gently. Our vacation cannot be a very long one, said Tom's mother, with a little smile. There are my father and my two daughters and my other boys in England. Tom's face was all awry, as Mr. King said, and you mean to say, Mrs. Selwyn, that you really must move on tomorrow? Yes, we really must, she said decidedly, but oh, and her plain quiet face changed swiftly, you cannot know how sorry we shall be to leave your party. In that case, Mrs. Fischer, old Mr. King looked down the table-length to Mamzi, we must go too, for I don't intend to lose sight of these nice travelling companions until I am obliged to. Tom's face was one big smile. Oh, goody, exclaimed Polly, as if she were no older than Franzi. Jasper clapped Tom's back instead of wasting words. So we will all proceed to pack up without more ado after breakfast. After all, it is wiser to make the move now, for we are getting so that we want to take root in each place. You just wait till you get to Zermatt, whispered Polly to Franzi, who, under cover of the talk buzzing around the table, had confided to her that she didn't want to leave her beautiful mountain. Grandpapa is going to take us up to the Gorner Grat, and there you can see another mountain. Oh, so near! He says it seems almost as if you could touch it, and it's all covered with snow, Franzi too. Is it as big as my mountain here? asked Franzi. Yes, bigger, a thousand feet or more, answered Polly, glad that she had looked it up. Is it, said Franzi? Every mountain is bigger, isn't it, Polly? It seems to be, said Polly, with a little laugh. And has it a little white tent on the side, just like my mountain here, asked Franzi, holding Polly's arm as she turned off to catch the chatter of the others. Oh, I suppose so, answered Polly carelessly. And she looked up and caught Mumsy's eye and turned back quickly. At any rate, Franzi, it's all peaked on the top. Oh, almost as sharp as a needle, and it seems to stick right into the blue sky. And there are lots and lots of other mountains. Oh, awfully high! And the sun shines up there a good deal, and it's too perfectly lovely for anything, Franzi Pepper. Then I want to go, decided Franzi. I do so want to see that white needle, Polly.  Yes, I will, declared Franzi, attacking her cold chicken and roll with great vigor. It seems as if the whole world were at Zermatt, said the parson, looking out from the big piazza crowded with the hotel people, out to the road in front, with every imaginable tourist passing and repassing. Donkeys were being driven up, either loaded down to their utmost with heavy bags and trunks, or else waiting to receive on their patient backs the heavier people. Franzi never could see the poor animals, without such distress coming in her face, that everyone in the party considered it his or her bound in duty to comfort and reassure her. So this time it was Tom's turn to do so. Oh, don't you worry, he said, looking down into her troubled little face, where he sat on the piazza railing, swinging his long legs. They like it, those donkeys do. Do they, asked Franzi doubtfully? Yes indeed, said Tom with a gusto as if he wished he were a donkey, and in just that very spot. It gives them a chance to see things, and to hear things too, don't you know? Went on Tom, at his wit's end, to know how he was going to come out of his sentences. Oh, said Franzi, yet she sighed as she saw the extremely fat person just being hauled up to a position on a very small donkey's back. You see, if they don't like it, said Tom, digging his knife savagely into the railing, they have a chance to kick up their heels and unsettle that heavy party. Oh dear me, exclaimed Franzi in great distress, that would hurt the poor woman, Tom. Well, it shows that the donkey likes it, said Tom with a laugh, because he doesn't kick up his heels. And so, ran on Tom, why, we mustn't worry, you and I, if the donkey doesn't, just think. He made a fine diversion by pointing with his knife blade up to the slender spire of the Matahon.  Franzi got out of her chair to come and stand by his side. I like that white needle, she said with a gleeful smile, Polly said it was nice, and I like it. I should say it was, declared Tom with a bob of his head. Franzi, I'd give, I don't know what, if I could climb up there. He thrust his knife once more into the railing, where it stuck fast. Don't, begged Franzi, her hand on his sleeve.  No, I won't. It's safe to promise that, he said grimly with a little laugh. Good reason why, because I can't. The little mother wouldn't sleep nights just to think of it, and I promised the granddaddy that I wouldn't so much as think of it, and here I am breaking my word, but I can't help it. He twitched his knife out suddenly, sprawled off from the railing, and took several hasty strides up and down the piazza. Well, that's all right, Franzi, he said, coming back to get a stride the railing again. This time he turned a cold shoulder on Franzi's white needle. Now, tomorrow, we'll have no end of fun. And he launched forth on so many and so very delights, that Franzi's pleased little laugh rang out again and again, bringing rest to many a wary traveler, tired with the sights, sounds, and scenes of a European journey. I wish we could stay at this nice place, said Franzi, the next morning, poking her head out over the side of the car as it climbed off from the riffle-ulp station. Take care, childs, said grandpapa, with a restraining hand.  So am I, chimed in Jasper. Dear me, how I wanted to get a chance to sketch some of those magnificent curves and rapids and falls in the visp river coming up. Oh, that dear, delicious visp river, echoed Polly, while Adela began to bemoaned that it was the best thing they had seen, and the car whizzed them by so fast she couldn't do a thing. Oh, dear. I got some snapshots, but I don't believe they are good for anything, said Jasper, just from the pure perversity of the thing. Take my advice, said Tom, lazily leaning forward, and don't bother with a camera anyway. As if you expected anyone to take up with such a piece of advice, ejaculated Jasper in high disdain, say something better than that, Tom, if you want to be heard. Oh, I don't expect to be heard, or listen to in the slightest, he said calmly. Anybody who will trot round with a Kodak hanging to his neck by a villainous strap can't be. Who's got a villainous strap hanging to his neck, cried Jasper, while the rest shouted as he picked at the fern box, thus hanging to Tom. Oh, that's quite a different thing, declared Tom, his face growing red. I know, one is a Kodak and the other is a fern box, said Jasper, nodding. I acknowledge they are different, and they all burst out laughing again. Well, at least, said Tom, joining in the laugh, you must acknowledge too, that I go off by myself and pick up my wildflowers and green things, and I'm not bothering round focusing every living thing and pointing my little machine at every freaking nature that I see. All right, said Jasper, good-naturedly, but you have the strap round your neck all the same, Tom. And Franzi wanted to stay at the riffleberg just as much, and old Mr. King was on the point of saying, well, we'll come up here for a few days, Franzi, when he remembered Mrs. Selwyn and her boy, and how they must get on. Instead, he cleared his throat and said, we shall see it after dinner, child, and Franzi smiled well contented. But when she reached the corner grat station and took Grandpa Pa's hand, and began to ascend the bridal path to the hotel, she couldn't contain herself and screamed right up, oh, Grandpa Pa, I'd rather stay here. It is beautiful, isn't it, echoed old Mr. King, feeling twenty years younger since he started on his travels. Well, well, child, I'm glad you like it, looking down into her beaming little face. You are very much to be envied, sir. I can't help speaking to you and telling you so, said a tall, sober-looking gentleman, evidently an English curate off on his vacation as he caught up with him on the ascent, where they had paused at one of the look-offs. For having that chalice company and those other young people? You say the truth, replied old Mr. King cordially, from the depths of my heart I pity anyone who hasn't some children to take along when going abroad. But then they wouldn't be little peppers, he added, under his breath, as he bowed and turned back to the view. There's dear Monterosa, cried Polly enthusiastically. Oh, I just love her. And there's Caster and Pollock, said Jasper. And there's the whole of them, said Tom, disposing of the entire range with a sweep of his hand. Dear me, what a lot there are, to be sure. It quite tires one. Oh, anybody but a cold-blooded Englishman, exclaimed Jasper, with a mischievous glance to travel with. Anything on earth but a gushing American, retorted Tom, to go round the world with. I wish I could sketch a glacier, bemoaned Adela, stopping every minute or two, as they wound around the bridal path. But I can't, I've tried ever so many times. Wait till we get to the Merida Glass, advised Tom. You can sit down in the middle of it, and sketch away all you want to. Well, I'm going to, said Adela, with sudden determination. I don't care. You can all laugh if you want to. You can sketch us all, suggested Jasper. For we shall have horrible old stockings on. I shan't have horrible old stockings on, said Adela, in a dudgeon, sticking out her foot. I wear just the same stockings that I do at home, at school in Paris, and they are quite nice. Oh, I mean you'll have to put on coarse woollen ones that the peasant women knit on purpose. We all shall have to do the same, on over our shoes, exclaimed Jasper. Oh, dear me, cried Adela in dismay. And I think we shall slip and slide a great deal worse with those things tied on our feet than to go without any, said Polly, wrinkling up her brows at the idea. T'wouldn't be safe to go without them, said Jasper, shaking his head, unless we had nails driven in our shoes. I'd much rather have the nails, cried Polly. Oh, much rather, Jasper. Well, we'll see what father is going to let us do, said Jasper. Wasn't that fun snowballing? Just stink in July, cried Polly, craning her neck to look back down the path toward the Riffelberg station. Did you pick up some of that snow, asked Adela? Didn't we, though, exclaimed Jasper? I got quite a good bit in my fist. My ball was such a little bit of a one, mourned Polly. I scraped up all I could, but it wasn't much. Well, it did good execution, said Tom. I got it in my eye. Oh, did it hurt you, cried Polly in distress, running across the path to walk by his side. Not a bit, said Tom. I tried to find some to pay you back, and then we had to fly for the cars. The plain, quiet face under the English bonnet turned to Mrs. Fisher as they walked up the path together. I cannot begin to tell you what gratitude I am under to you, said Tom's mother, and to all of you. When I think of my father, I am full of thankfulness. When I look at my boy, the goodness of God just overcomes me in leading me to your party. May I tell you of ourselves sometime, when a good opportunity offers for a quiet talk? I'd like nothing better, said Mother Fisher heartily. If there is one person I like more than another, who isn't of our family or any of our home friends, it's Mrs. Selwyn. She had confided to the little doctor just a few days before. She hasn't any nonsense about her if she is an Earl's daughter. Earl's daughter sniffed the little doctor, trying to slip a collar button into a refractory binding. Dear me, now that's gone. No, it isn't. That's luck, as the button rolled off into a corner of the barotub, where it was easily captured. Let me do that for you, Donoram, said Mother Fisher, coming up to help him. I guess you'll have to, wife, if it's done at all, he answered, resigning himself willingly to her hands. The thing slips and slides like all possessed. Well now, I was going to say that I wouldn't hate a title so much, if there was a grain of common sense went along with it. And that Mrs. Selwyn just saves the whole lot of English nobility, and makes them worth speaking to, in my opinion. And after they had their dinner, and were scattered in groups in the bright sunshine, sitting on the wooden benches by the long tables, or taking photographs, or watching through the big glass some mountain climbers on one of the snowy spurs of the Matahuan, the good opportunity for a quiet talk came about. Now, said Mother Fisher, with a great satisfaction in her voice, may we sit down here on this bench, Mrs. Selwyn, and have that talk? Tom's mother sat down well pleased, and folding her hands in her lap, this Earl's daughter, mistress of a dozen languages, as well as mistress of herself on all occasions, began as simply and with as much directness as a child. Well, you know my father, let me tell you, aside from the eccentricities, that are mere outside matters and easily explained, if you understood the whole of his life, a kinder man never lived, nor a more reasonable one. But it was a misfortune that he had to be left so much alone, as since my mother's death a dozen years ago has happened. It pained me much, a shadow passed over her brow, but it was gone again, and she smiled, and her eyes regained their old, placid look. I live in Australia with my husband, where my duty is, putting the boys as fast as they were old enough, and the little girls as well, into English schools. But Tom has always been with my father at the vacations, for he is his favorite, as of course was natural, for he is the eldest. And though you might not believe it, Mrs. Fisher, my father was always passionately fond of the boy. I do believe it, said Mother Fisher quietly, and she put her hand over the folded ones. Mrs. Selwyn unclasped hers, soft and white, to draw within them the toil-worn one. Now that's comfortable, she said with another little smile. And here is where his eccentricity became the most dangerous to the peace of mind of our family, continued Mrs. Selwyn. My father seemed never able to discover that he was doing the lad harm by all sorts of indulgence and familiarity with him. A sort of hail-fellow-well-met way that surprised me more than I can express, when I discovered it on my last return visit to my old home. My father, who never tolerated anything but respect from all of us, who were accustomed to despotic government I can assure you, was allowing Tom—well, you were with him on the steamer. She broke off abruptly. The placid look was gone again in a flash.  Tom was pure gold down underneath. We saw that, and the rest is past. Ah, the placid look came back as quickly. That is my only comfort that you did, for Father told the whole, not sparing himself. Now he sees things in the right light. He says because your young people taught it to him. And he was cruelly disappointed, because you couldn't come down to visit him in his home. We couldn't, said Mother Fisher in a sorry voice, at seeing the other face. I understand quite, said Tom's mother, with the gentle pressure of the hand she held. And then the one pleasure he had was in picking out something for Polly. Oh, if the little leather case had gone back to the poor old man, ran through Mother Fisher's mind, possessing it at once. I don't think his judgment was good, Mrs. Fisher, in the selection, said Mrs. Selwyn, a small pink spot coming on either cheek. But he loves Polly, he wanted to show it. And he was so good to think of it, cried Mother Fisher, her heart warming more and more to the little old earl. And as he couldn't be turned from it, and his health as precarious if he's excited, why, there was nothing to be done about it. And then he insisted that Tom and I come off for a bit of a run on the continent, the other children being with him. And as my big boy, here a loving smile went all over the plain face, making it absolutely beautiful, had worried down deep in his heart over the past, till I was more troubled than I can tell you, why, we came. And then God was good, for then we met you. Oh, Mrs. Fisher. She drew her hands by a sudden movement away, and put them on Mother Fisher's shoulders. And then that British matron, rarely demonstrated with her own children even, leaned over and kissed Polly's mother. I can't see why it's so warm up here, said Polly, racing over to their bench, followed by the others. Dear me, it's fairly hot. And she pulled off her jacket. Don't do that, Polly, said her mother. Oh, Mumsy, it's so very hot, said Polly, but she thrust her arms into the sleeves and pulled it on again.  Well, it's perfectly splendid to travel to places where we can run and race, said Polly, in satisfaction, throwing herself down on the rocks. The others all doing the same thing. Mr. King and the parson and Mrs. Henderson found them, and pretty soon the group was a big one. Well, well, we are all here together. No, where's Mrs. Gray? asked Mr. King presently. She's resting in the hotel, said Mother Fisher. Fast asleep, I think, by this time. Yes, said Adella. She is. I just peaked in on her, and she hasn't moved or you tucked her up on the lounge. Grandpa Pa, as Polly suddenly from the centre of the group, what makes it so very warm up here when we are all surrounded by snow? You ask me hard things, said old Mr. King. Well, for one thing, we are very near the Italian border. Those peaks over there, you know? Follow my walking stick, as I point it. Are in sunny Italy. Well, it is just like sunny Italy up here, said Polly.  It's all the Italy you will get in the summer season, said Grandpa Pa. You must wait for cold weather before I take one of you there. End of Chapter 23, Recording by Catherine Salazar Chapter 24 of Five Little Peppers Abroad This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Lisa Myers Five Little Peppers Abroad by Margaret Sidney Chapter 24 The Round Robin Dear me how the summer is going, mourned Polly, as they caught on the return journey the last glimpse of the roaring, tumbling visp. And not all the craning of the necks could compass another view as the cars drew them away from the rushing river. Never mind, Polly, said Jasper. There's all next summer, and after our winter in Dresden and all our hard work over music, won't it be fine, though, to jaunt round again, and his eyes glistened. Dresden echoed Polly, sitting quite straight and with very red cheeks. Oh, Jasper! The magic word Dresden had unlocked visions of months of future delight bringing back every word of dear hair barric, and all the instruction he had given her on those happy days at Lucerne, that Polly felt quite sure that we're engraven deep on her heart to last forever and ever.  Well, I'm sorry the summer is going, said Adila, because then I've got to leave you at Paris and go into school. But you like your school, said Polly brightly, you've said so dozen times, Adila. Yes, I do, said Adila, and I've got some sketches to take back, and Mademoiselle will be glad of that. And you'll go on drawing and painting till you get to be a great artist ran on Polly enthusiastically, and then we'll see something you've done in the Louvre, maybe. The Louvre, cried Adila. Oh, dear me, Polly Pepper, I don't care, said Polly recklessly, pushing back the little rings of brown hair from her brow. They'll be good enough, the pictures you are going to do, to put in the Louvre, anyway, Adila Gray. Tom Selwyn had been very sober during all this married chatter, and now in his seat across the narrow aisle he drummed his heels impatiently on the floor. His mother looked over at him and slipping out of her seat went over to him. Any room here, Tom, for mother, she said? Oh, I should say so, Tom slipped out, giving her the window seat, then flew back. Now this is comfy, observed Mrs. Selwyn as the train sped on. Tom, see here. What's up, little mother? Asked Tom, in surprise at her unusual manner. It's just this, Tom. You know we are going to Chamonix and up the Mare de Glasse with Mr. King's party. Tom bobbed his head, not allowing himself to exclaim, but that will be only a short journey now, and we must soon say goodbye. Well, I've been thinking that I should like to go on to Geneva and to Paris, continued Mrs. Selwyn. Only you dislike Paris so much, Tom, she added. Oh, you're the bulliest!    My dislike, roared Tom! Oh, dear me, as everyone looked around. Why, I just love Paris, he finished in an awful whisper close to the plain black bonnet. When the news was circulated, as it was pretty soon, that the party was not to be broken into at all till Paris was a completed story, the jubilation was such as to satisfy even Tom. And as this particular party had the car entirely to themselves, it wasn't so very dreadful as it seems, and the elder members allowed indulgent smiles at it all. That night in the marketplace at Martinie, Jasper, who was ahead with his father, ran back to Polly and the others lingering behind. Oh, do hurry, he begged, it's the prettiest sight. Oh, what is it, cried Polly, as they scampered off? There in the center of the marketplace was a ring of little girls hand in hand, singing a little French song, and going round and round in a circle. They were of all ages and sizes, the littlest one in a blue pinafore, being about three years of age, and so chubby she had to be helped along continually by a big girl, evidently her sister. This big sister stopped the ring game every now and then to kiss the round face by the side of her gown, an example that was followed by so many of the other girls that the game seemed to be never quite finished. And once in a while big sister would pick up the chubby little blue pinafored maiden and carry her through a considerable portion of the game. Then down she would put her on two chubby feet, in a way they all circled without any break in the proceedings at all. Oh, isn't it Oat's peas, beans, and barley grow, cried Polly, as they watched them intently? Ever so much like it, said Tom. See those boys, now they are going to make trouble. Oh, they shan't, declared Polly. Oh, dear me! As one boy, Jr., on the side next to the travelers, and watched his chants, picked at a flying apron or two. But the ring of girls paid no more attention to him than they had to any other outside matters, being wholly absorbed in the game. So Polly and the others breathed freely again. But up came another boy. Oh, dear me! cried Polly, aghast. When number three put an appearance she gave of all hope at once. Their jealous chaps, cried Tom, and are vexed because they can't get into the game. Hear them cheer. And his long arm went out and picked a jack-and-end of an urchin who, unconsciously regarding such quiet travelers as not worth minding, had hovered two near while trying to tease the girls. Here you, sir! cried Tom, with a bit of a shake and a torrent of remarkably good French not to be disregarded. Then he burst into a laugh, and the urchin laughed, too, thinking this much better fun to tussle with the tall lad than to hang around a parcel of girls.  I'm glad the girls over here have fun, said Polly, as Grandpa Paa and his party moved off. Isn't it nice to think they do? It isn't much matter where you live. There's a good deal to be gotten of life, if only in no house of the person thinking busily of the little brown house. Two or three days of rest at Martinie put everyone in good shape, and gave them all a bit of time to pick up on many little things that were behind hand. Tom looked over his floral treasures with their last editions made at the riffle-out, and discarded such as hadn't pressed well. And Jasper and Polly rushed up to date with their journals and wrote letters home, and Adila worked up her studies and sketches. Tom looked on silently when Polly and Jasper were scraping their pens in a lively fashion in the little writing room of the hotel. That's my third letter Polly announced Jasper on the other side of the table. Now I'm going to begin on Joel's. One, two, said Polly, counting. Why, I thought I'd written three. Well, this one is most finished, Jasper. Yes, said Jasper, glancing it over at her. Is that your last page, Polly? Yes, said Polly, hurrying away. Then she thought of what Mamsey had said and slackened her speed. Tom cleared his throat and tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come nicely, so he burst out. I say I wish you'd write to my Granddaddy, both of you, and then he stood quite still, very red in the face. Polly looked up quickly, her pen dropping from her fingers, and Jasper deserted his fourth letter and stared. Why, said Polly, finding her tongue, we wouldn't dare, Tom Selwyn. Dare, said Tom, delighted to think that no terrible result had really ensued from his words, that after they were out had scared him mightily. Oh, if you knew Granddaddy, and he sank into a chair by the table and played with the heap of picture postal cards that Polly was going to address next. We might, said Polly, slowly, write a letter, all of us, a kind of round robin thing, you know, and send that. So we could, cried Jasper. How would that do, Tom? The very thing exclaimed Tom, striking his hand so heavily on the table that for a minute it looked as if the ink bottle hopped.  Well, let's leave our letters to day, Polly, and set to you on the round robin. All right, said Polly, glad to think there was anything she could really do to please the little old Earl.  She stopped slowly and putting her unfinished letter into the little writing case and looked at him. If you think there's a shadow of doubt on that score, I'd best run and ask her now. Tom got himself out of the chair and in himself from the room, in an incredibly short space of time, back there he was. My mother says, think Polly for thinking of it, it will do Father more good than anything else could possibly do. Oh, I don't suppose you want any more answers, said Tom, quite radiant, looking down at Polly. No, only I didn't think of it first, said Polly, in a distressed little tone. Why, Polly Pepper exclaimed, Tom, I certainly heard you say round robin, when I'll venture to say not a soul of us had even thought of it. We certainly hadn't said so. Well, you spoke of the letter first, said Polly, unwilling to take the credit for all the comfort going to the little old Earl, and I shall tell your mother so, Tom. But I didn't say round robin, persisted Tom, wasn't smart enough to think of it. And let's get to work, cried Jasper, huddling up his three letters. I'll post yours to Polly, give them here. Oh, dear, my stamps are all gone, said Polly, peering into the little box in one corner of her writing case. I've plenty, said Jasper, hurrying off, I'll stick on to for you. Oh, no, Jasper cried Polly after him. You know Mamzy would not allow me to borrow. It isn't borrowing, said Jasper, turning back slowly. I'll give them to you, Polly. But Mamzy said when we started, I should get my stamps when I needed them, said Polly. You know she did, Jasper. Yes, she did, said Jasper uncomfortably.  Do get the stamps, please, Jasper, and put them on.  Dear me, you are dreadfully particular about taking two postage stamps, seems to me, said Adila, who had taken that time, as she hadn't any letters to write, to work on one of her studies for memory of the visp. Tom's blue eyes flashed dangerously when he cleared his throat, whistled, and walked to the window. I don't know where we are going to get nice white paper for our round robin, said Polly, leaning her elbows on the table, and her chin in her hands. I know, ejaculated Tom, whirling on his heel and dashing out. And he came, swinging three or four goodly sheets, filtered him out of the old woman's room, he said. Oh, Tom! began Polly. I mean the housekeeper, matron, conciergerie, whatever you call the gentle lady who runs this house, was fortunately at our desk when she has the pleasure of making up our bills, and I worked on her feeling till she parted with him, explained Tom. Oh, said Polly. Well, I'm glad she gave them to you. Never you fear but what they'll be in our bills, Polly, said Tom, who couldn't believe by this time that he hadn't always known Polly Pepper. It's dreadfully thin papers, said Adila, critically, getting off from the sofa to pick at one corner of the sheet Polly was beginning to divide. I'm glad we have any, hummed Polly, happily. Thank your stars you have, said Tom, as gaily. And Jasper running in, the table was soon surrounded by the makers of the round robin, Adila deserting her sketchbook and pulling up a chair. And Franzi must come, said Polly, snipping away to get the paper the right width. Oh, dear me, I can't cut it straight. Do you please finish it, Jasper? That's all right, said Jasper, squinting at it critically. Only just this edge wants a little bit of trimming Polly, and he slipped off the offending points. I'll fetch Franzi, cried Tom, springing off. And hurry, cried Polly and Jasper together after him. Polly, said Franzi, as Tom came careening in with her on his shoulder. I want to write, too. I do, she cried, very much excited. Of course you shall, Pet. That's just what we want you for, cried Polly, clearing a space on the table. There, do pull up a chair, Jasper. Now, Franzi, I think you would better begin, for you are the littlest.  Oh, Polly, you begin, begged Tom. No, I think Franzi ought to, said Polly, shaking her head. I want Polly to, said Franzi, wriggling away from the pen that Polly held out alluringly. But Polly wants you, too, said Jasper. I really would, Franzi, dear, to please her. To please Polly, being what Franzi longed for next to pleasing Mamzy, she gave a small sigh and took the pen in unsteady fingers. Wait a minute, Franzi, exclaimed Polly in dismay. I believe we've made a mistake, Jasper, and got the wrong sheet. And Polly turned off with him to examine the rest of the paper. Franzi, who hadn't heard what Polly said, her small head being full of the responsibility of beginning the important letter, and considering, since it was to be done, it was best to have it over with as soon as possible, felt as scribbling the letters as fast as she could, all of them running downhill. Well, I'm glad to see that we haven't made any mistake, cried Polly, turning back in relief. Oh, Franzi, you haven't begun! She spoke so sharply that Franzi started in a little drop of ink, trembling on the point of her pen, concluded to hop off. So it did, and jumbled down on the clean white paper to stare up at the mall like a very bad black eye. Oh, see what she's written, cried Polly, quite aghast, and tumbling into her chair she pointed at the top. Dear Mr. Earl, scroll clear across the top. I didn't mean, oh, you said to do it, Polly. Franzi threw herself out of her chair and over into Polly's lap, burrowing and wailing piteously. Oh, dear me, how could I say anything, cried Polly, overcome with remorse and patting Franzi's yellow hair. But it is so very dreadful. Oh, dear me, Franzi, there, there, don't cry. Oh, dear me! Tom's mouth trembled. It's all right, granddaddy'll like it, he said. Oh, Tom's Selwyn gasped, Polly, looking up over Franzi's head. You don't suppose we'd let that letter go? I would, said Tom, coolly, running his hands in his pockets.  He's got lots of fun in him, he added. Franzi said, Jasper, rushing around the table. You're making Polly sick, just look at her face. Franzi lifted her head where she had burrowed it under Polly's arm. When she saw that Polly's round cheeks were really quite pale, she stopped crying at once. Are you sick, Polly? she asked, in great concern. I shan't be, said Polly, if you won't cry any more, Franzi.  Then we'll all be well, Polly.  When they got ready to begin on the letter again, it was nowhere to be found, and Tom disappeared as well. He took it out, said Adila, for the first time finding her tongue. I saw him while you were all talking. While they were wondering over this and plunging further yet into spay, Tom came dancing and waving the unlucky sheet of the round robin over his head. My mother says, he announced in triumph, that Father will get no end of fun over that if you will let it go, it will cheer him up. So that ended the matter, although Polly, who dearly loved to be elegant, had many a twinge whenever her eye fell in the letter, at which Franzi was now laboring afresh. We must put in little pictures, said Polly, trying to make herself cheery as the work went busily on. Polly, you always do think of the best things, exclaimed Jasper, beaming at her, which made her try harder than ever to smile. I wouldn't feel so badly Polly, he managed to whisper when Franzi was absorbed with her work.  But that was different, grown Polly. Pictures Tom Selwyn was saying, Oh, there's where I can come in with fine assistance, I'm no good in a letter, and again he rushed from the room. That's three times that boy has gone out, announced Adila, and he joggles the table awfully when he starts, and he made me cut clear into that edge, see Polly? She was trimming the third strip of paper, for the round robin was to be pasted together, and rolled up when it was all done. He seems to accomplish something every time he goes, observed Jasper dryly. Hello, just look at him now. In came Tom with a rush, and turned a small box he held in his hand upside down on the table. Oh, dear me, exclaimed Adila, as her scissors slipped. Now you've joggled the table again. Then she caught Polly's eye. Aren't those pictures pretty, she burst out awkwardly? Aren't they so, cried Tom, in satisfaction, while Polly owed an odd and fronzy dropper pen suddenly making a second blot? Only as good fortune would have it, it was so near the edge that they all on anxious examination decided to trim the paper down, and thus get rid of it. I don't see how you got so many, said Jasper, in admiration, his fingers busy with the heap. Oh, I've picked them up here and there, said Tom. I began because I thought the kids at home might like them, and then it struck me I'd make a book like yours. Well, do save them now, said Jasper, and we'll give some of our pictures, though the prettiest ones are in our books, he had to regretfully. Rather not, much obliged, Tom bobbed his thanks. I want to donate something to Granddaddy, and I tell you I'm something awful at a letter. All right, saying you wish it so, said Jasper, with a keen look at him, and these are beauties and no mistake, we couldn't begin to equal them. When the letter was finally unrolled and read to Grandpa, who strayed into the reading room to see what fronzy was doing, it certainly was a beauty. Picture after picture, cut from railroad guidebooks, illustrated papers, and it seemed to Jasper gathered as if by magic, with cunning little photographs, broke up the letter, and wound in and out with funny and charming detail of some of their journey. I wrote that all myself humped fronzy, smoothing her gown, in great satisfaction pointing to the opening of the letter. Oh, dear me, exclaimed Polly, softly, for she couldn't even yet get over that dreadful beginning. The rest of it is nice, whispered Jasper, and I ventured to say that he'll like that the best of all. Mr. King thought so too, and he beamed at fronzy. So you did, he cried. Now that's fine, I wish you'd write me a letter sometime. I'm going to write you one now, declared fronzy, since Grandpa wanted anything, it was never too soon to begin work on it. Do, cried old Mr. King, in great satisfaction. So he put down the round robin, a deal of crying out that she wanted her grandmother to see it, and Polly is saying that Mamzy and Papa Doctor, and the parson and Mrs. Henderson must see it, and most important of all, said Jasper, breaking into the conversation, Mrs. Selwyn must say if it's all right to go.  You don't know my mother, exclaimed Tom, if you think she won't like that. She's got lots of fun in her, and she always sees the sense of a thing. But she's so nice-breathed, Polly, who greatly admired Mrs. Selwyn, and so elegant. Tom bobbed his head and accepted this as a matter of course. That's the very reason she understands things like a shot, and knows how to take them, he said. And I tell you, Polly, he declared with a burst of confidence that utterly surprised him. I'd rather have my mother than any other company I know of. She's awful good fun. I know it, said Polly brightly, with a little answering smile. Well, I hope she'll like it.  It trailed off back of him like a very long and broad ribbon. Come on now, I'll fall into line. Take care, cried Jasper, as he ran after with Polly and Adila. If you dare to tear that, sir. While Franzi at the big table labored away on her letter, grandpa passed sitting by to watch the proceedings with the greatest interest. And one look at Mrs. Selwyn's face as she read that round robin was enough for Polly, and then to post it. Dear me, said Polly, when that important matter was concluded, suppose anything should happen to it now before it gets there.