"Now you see, Joel," cried David, much relieved, and his face brightening, "she won't, really, for Polly says so."
"Well, you've got to go anyway," declared Ben, in a downright way there was no mistaking. "So say no more, Joe, but get your cap."
The other Pepper children were all in a bunch in the wide hall revolving around Joel, who felt, as long as he postponed getting his coat and cap, he was surely safe from making the awful expedition. But now, seeing Ben's blue eyes upon him, he set out for the closet in the back hall where the boys' outer garments were kept, grumbling at every step.
"O dear me! This is too dreadful for anything," sighed Polly, sinking down on the last step of the stairs. When Phronsie saw her do this, she hurried over, and snuggled up in her fur-trimmed coat as close as she could get to her side.
"I wish Jasper was home," said Ben, with a long breath, and going across to stand in front of the two.
"So we wish all the time," said Polly, "but then, he can't come till Friday, and that's just forever."
Little David, left alone, thought the best thing he could do would be to run after Joel. So he precipitated himself upon that individual, who, just knocking down his cap from its hook, was beginning to prowl around the floor in the corner of the closet.
"Can't find it," growled Joel, knocking off more things in his irritation.
"Oh, let me!" cried David, delighted to help. "Let me, Joel; I'll get it!"
"You keep off," cried Joel, lifting a hot, red face; "I'll get it myself. And I won't go to see that old woman!" he declared savagely.