“Hang on to me,” said Joel stoutly, thrusting out his sturdy arm.
So Alexia hung on to it, and managed to get along very well. And one of the children, the littlest one next to the baby, created a diversion by bringing up a mangy cat, and laying it on Mr. King's knees. This saved the situation as far as crying went, and brought safely away those who were perilously near the brink of tears.
“Oh dear me!” exclaimed Polly, starting forward, knowing how Grandpapa detested cats. But Jasper was before her.
“Let me take it, father,” and he dexterously brought it off.
“Give it to me,” said Polly. “Oh, what is its name?”
The little thing who seemed to own the cat toddled over, well pleased, and stuck his finger in his mouth, which was the extent to which he could go in conversation. But the other children, finding the ice now broken, all came up at this point, to gather around Polly and the cat.
“It's lucky enough that Phronsie isn't here,” said Jasper in a low voice, “for she would never want to leave that cat.”
“AND SO WE HAD A LITTLE ENTERTAINMENT, AND SOLD THE TICKETS, AND HERE IS OUR GIFT!”
“Just see Polly Pepper!” exclaimed Alexia, with a grimace. “Why doesn't she drop that dirty old cat?”