"I didn't act so," cried Larry, "and you've no right, Alexia, to scold us. 'Tisn't your house, anyway," he took refuge lamely in that fact, and he swung his feet in defiance.
"Well, somebody must scold you," said Alexia, "and no one else will, unless I come over. Well, anyway,—Polly, where are you?"
"Here," said Polly, hurrying in,—"oh, don't, Alexia, say anything,—they feel badly about it, whatever it is."
"Don't you know what they've been doing?" asked Alexia, with wide eyes, and whirling around to stare at the boys.
"No," said Polly, "I don't, Alexia, but Mamsie'll make it right, for they're going to tell her," and again she cast a sorrowful glance at them.
"Well, come on," said Alexia, turning her back on the sofa and its occupants; "I don't care in the least what they've done, so long as I have you, Polly. Hurry up, Polly, and get on your hat."
"I can't go," said Polly, standing quite still, and not looking at the boys this time.
"Can't go? why, Polly Pepper, you know you said the red-and-green holly ribbon had all given out, and you must get some more so we could tie up the rest of the presents this evening."
"Well, I can't go," said Polly, with a sigh. Then she folded her hands and shook her head.
When Polly looked like that, Alexia always knew it was no use to beg and plead, so now she turned on the boys.