"Oh, yes, you can find him," said Frick, sniffling dreadfully, and beginning to wheedle and beg. "Do, Polly." He seized her gown. "The boys can't do anything without Joel, and they've sent me for him."
"And I'm sure I can't do anything"—Polly shook her gown free—"so there's no use in asking me to stand here and talk about it, Frick Mason. And just look at that clock—two minutes of nine." She pointed tragically up to the big clock. "And I promised to be at Alexia's—" The last words came back to him as she disappeared out to the veranda and down the steps, racing off as hard as she could.
Frick got off from his chair, took three or four steps hopelessly, then stiffened up.
"I'm going to find him," he announced to himself, and turning down the angle, he knocked at the first door on the left.
"Hullo!" exclaimed Joel, unlocking the door and opening it.
"Oh, you're here." Frick seized him on both sides, wishing he had twice the number of hands to employ; then he tried to run in, but Joel shook off the grasp, pushed to the door, only leaving the scantiest space to allow of conversation.
"You can't come in," he said steadily.
"Hold on! don't shut the door," cried Frick, pressing up closely and still endeavoring to get a good grasp on some of Joel's clothing. "Ow! you 'most smashed my nose, Joel Pepper."
"You must take your nose away then," said Joel decidedly, "for I'm going to shut the door if you scrouge so."
"Well, let me come in," said Frick, struggling violently. "Say, Joel, don't shut the door."