“Now, Philip!” exclaimed Margery, “do you suppose we are going to believe that, after Geoff’s lovely story?”
“Certainly not; I only thought I’d permit you to hear both sides. I knew of course that you would believe the prettier story of the two—girls always do!”
“That isn’t a ‘pretty story’—your remark, I mean, so we won’t believe it; will we, girls?” asked Bell.
“Now, Polly, your eyes sparkle as if you couldn’t wait another minute; your turn next,” said Dr. Winship.
“I am only afraid that I can’t remember my contribution, which is really Bell’s and still more really Pancho’s, for he told it to us, and Bell translated it and made it into a story. We call it ‘Valerio; or, The Mysterious Mountain Cave.’”
“Begins well!” exclaimed Jack.
“Now, Jack, you must be nice. Remember this is Bell’s story, and she is letting me tell it so that I can bear my share in the entertainment.”
“Pancho believes every word of it,” added Bell, “and says that his father told it to him; but as I had to change it from bad Spanish into good English, I don’t know whether I’ve caught the idea exactly.”
“Oh, it will do quite nicely, I’ve no doubt,” said Jack, encouragingly. “We’ve often heard you do good English into bad Spanish, and turn and turn about is only fair play. Don’t mind me, Polly; I will be gentle!”
“Jack, if you don’t behave yourself I’ll send you to bed,” said Elsie; and he ducked his head obediently into her lap, as Polly, with her hands clasping her knees, and with the firelight dancing over her bright face, leaned forward and told the Legend of