Jasper watched her keenly, and drew a long breath when he saw her talking and laughing with Grandpapa.
“You are going to sit next to me, Polly,” said the old gentleman, marshalling his forces when well within. “And Jasper next. Then, Cathie, you will have a knight on either side.”
“Oh, I can't sit between two boys,” cried Cathie, forgetting herself in her terror.
“I won't bite you,” cried Clare saucily.
“I will see that Clare behaves himself,” said Jasper.
“You'll do nicely, my dear,” said Mr. King encouragingly to her; then proceeded down the aisle after the usher. So there was nothing to do but to obey. And Cathie, who would have found it a formidable thing to be stranded on the companionship of one boy, found herself between two, and Polly Pepper far off, and not the least able to help.
“Now, then,” said Jasper, taking up the program, “I suppose father told you pretty much all that was necessary to know about Irving. Well—” And then, without waiting for a reply, Jasper dashed on about the splendid plays in which he had seen this wonderful actor, and the particular one they were to enjoy to-night; and from that he drifted off to the fine points to be admired in the big playhouse, with its striking decorations, making Cathie raise her eyes to take it all in, until Clare leaned over to say:
“I should think you might give Cathie and me a chance to talk a little, Jasper.”
“Oh, I don't want to talk,” cried Cathie in terror. “I don't know anything to say.”
“Well, I do,” said Clare, in a dudgeon, “only Jasper goes on in such a streak to-night.”