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"Yes," said Jasper, bringing his gaze off from the fish, "I think they better be, Mrs. Higby," and he went out of the kitchen without looking at Mrs. Cabot. Up at the head of the stairs he ran against Jack Loughead. "It's all against me, King," said Jack unsteadily. Jasper lifted heavy eyes, that, all at once, held a lightning gleam. Then he put his good right hand on Jack's shoulder.
"Well well well," exclaimed the old gentleman with a prolonged look, and sitting straight in his chair. "So this really is you, Jack? I must say, I am surprised." "Surprised?" echoed Jack, getting his uncle's hands in both of his. "Why, Uncle, I cabled Crane Brothers just as soon as I got your letter, that I was coming." "This is the first thing I've heard of it," said old Mr. Loughead.
Loughead, who, despite Doctor Bryce's verdict, had never seemed quite well enough in his own estimation for his departure from the "Higby hospital," on the contrary brightened up, exclaiming, "Now, that is something like to hear Miss Polly laugh like that bless her!" "Good-by, Pickering," said Polly, coming into his room, old Mr.
"All our minds should be on Polly, and her Recital. Girls, did you see Jack Loughead down at the door?" "Didn't we?" cried the girls. "He's as handsome as a picture, isn't he?" cried Alexia, with another little pull at her rebellious hair. "Isn't he?" hummed the girls. "Well, he won't look at you, for all your fussing over those bangs," said Sally vindictively.
"How are you, Mr. Loughead?" said old Mr. King rather stiffly, at being overlooked, and putting out his courtly old hand. "Oh, beg pardon." Jack mumbled something about being an awkward fellow at the best, and extended a shaking hand. "You are anxious to see your uncle, of course," continued the old gentleman, leading off down the hall, "this way, Mr. Loughead."
I happened to run across Hibbard Crane yesterday," said Jasper carelessly, "and he gave me a few facts. That's about all I know, father." And in came Polly, looking like a rose; and following her a tall young man, with large, black eyes, whom she immediately led up to Mr. King's chair. "Grandpapa," she said, "this is Mr. Loughead, Amy's brother, you know"
"Take care!" warned Polly, with a ready hand to rescue the elaborate combination of silk and floss, "it would be a very dreadful thing if this should get spoiled." Amy Loughead brought her wet cheek off suddenly. "There isn't a single tear on it, Miss Pepper," she gasped. "That's very fortunate," said Polly, with a relieved breath. "Well, Amy child, how can I help you?"
"Well, Bensie thought of this Tree, and made me see that we could do it," persisted Polly, giving a little quirk to a rebellious pendant. Mrs. Henderson put the corner of her white apron to her eyes. "I always have to," she said to Mrs. Dyce, "when the Little Brown House days bring those blessed children back to me." Jack Loughead drew nearer yet; so near that he lost never a word.
"King, I came here to ask you something, that if I didn't trust you so well I could never ask in all the world. But I feel I can trust you." "Oh, don't don't," begged Jasper, putting up an unsteady hand to ward off the dreaded subject. "Don't tell me anything, Loughead." "Well, I will ask you something, then," said Jack Loughead coolly.
Cabot, who evidently did not regard him in the friendliest of lights, turned her back upon him, keeping her arm around Polly. "Pickering is waiting to see you," she said, and trying to draw her off. "I'll come in a minute," said Polly, breaking away from her, and taking a step toward Jack Loughead. "How do you do?" she said, putting out her hand. Jack Loughead seized it eagerly.
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