"Well, you aren't ahead now," cried Van in glee, and mounting the stairs, he couldn't resist the temptation to peer over the railing. "Ha, ha! who's the smart one now? I'll get there first, Percy Whitney."
"You shan't. Oh, make him stop," howled Percy, in distress.
"Van," called Polly, looking up at him.
"What?" said Van, wishing he hadn't wasted the time in exhibiting his triumph. He still kept on.
"I want you," said Polly clearly. "Come down, Vanny, that's a good boy."
"What do you want me for?" asked Van, turning slowly to look down at her.
"Come down, and you'll see. Make haste, Van, for I'm in a dreadful hurry."
"What do you want me for?" repeated Van, begrudging every step of the way he was now taking, and keeping a sharp look out that Percy didn't spring past him. To prevent that, he spread out both arms. "Say, Polly, what do you want me for?" At last he was by her side.
"There, who's going to get up in Ben's room first?" said Percy complacently.
"Well, you aren't," said Van stoutly, "'cause just as soon as Polly's got through with me, I'm going to run like lightning up there—so! I was ahead when she called me back."