"Boys"—Polly drew away from Van, and sank down on her chair again—"I shan't have anything to say to either of you when you say such dreadful things," and she folded her hands sorrowfully in her lap and looked straight ahead at the opposite wall.
"Oh, we won't—we won't," cried both boys, running over to her. "Polly, we won't"—shaking her arms.
"Well, don't, then," said Polly. "Now promise you won't do it again, or else I'm really not going to talk to you."
So Percy and Van promised, and pretty soon the wide hall resounded with merry peals of laughter.
"Oh, dear me!" exclaimed Polly, jumping to her feet in dismay.
"What's the matter?" cried both boys, tumbling back in astonishment.
"Just look what I've done!" Polly was wringing her hands now, and presented a picture of distress.
"What—what, Polly?" They crowded up to her again.
"Why, I've forgotten I was to go at once to Mrs. Sterling's, and she's been waiting. If Joel comes, send—him—over." The last words came back in a little shout, for Polly was off.
"Oh, dear me!" exclaimed Percy discontentedly, losing all thought of the attractions in Ben's room, "now Polly will be gone all the whole afternoon, I 'most know."