Frank tried to speak, but failed and rushed out of the room.
"What is the matter?" said Mrs. Van Alstine, again.
"There is nothing the matter, only Frank has been making a fuss about nothing," said Marion, in her most dignified manner; "but I suppose he will be sustained in it, of course."
"There is a good deal the matter, I think," said Bram, more moved than was at all usual, for he had the most placid temper in the family. "Marion has been putting our room in order, and she has jumbled all our geological specimens together and thrown Frank's native woods into the kitchen wood-box."
"What, not the collection of native woods he has been making so long?" said Mrs. Van Alstine. "Not that he was making for Professor G. of the woods of Pennsylvania? Oh, Marion!"
"Yes, mamma, she has. Frank has had them all seasoned up in the loft at the factory. We have been busy ever so long planing and polishing one side, so as to show the grain when manufactured, and yesterday we brought them all up-stairs to arrange and put the labels on."
"Poor Frank! No wonder he is vexed," said her mother. "He has been a year making that collection, and it was really very complete and valuable. Marion, my dear, don't you know I told you not to meddle with the boys' things?"
"I should like to know how I was to put their rooms in order without meddling," said Marion, injured, as usual.
"But you were not asked to put them in order, only to make the beds and lay clean cloths on the bureaus and stands. I hope you have not been going on so in Harry's room?"
"Harry's room was not in such a state. I only piled up his books and papers in some kind of order."