“No, it isn't; there, see how big it is.” Polly landed it deftly on the plate and hopped back to her nut-meats again.
“And I should think you'd better shake yourself, Clare,” said Jasper, over at him. “We shouldn't have any nuts in this candy if it depended on you.”
“You do tell such astounding stories,” cried Clare, setting to work at once. And Jasper making as much noise as he could while cracking his nuts, Alexia's secret was safe.
But when the candy was set out to cool, and there was a pause in which the two boys were occupied by themselves, Alexia pulled Polly off to a corner.
“Where are they going?” asked Clare, with one eye after them.
“Oh, they have something to talk over, I presume,” said Jasper carelessly.
“Nonsense! they've all the time every day. Let's go over and see.”
“Oh, no,” said Jasper. “Come on, Clare, and let's see if the candy is cool.” But Clare didn't want to see if the candy was cool, nor anything else but to have his own way. So he proceeded over to the corner by himself.
“Oho! You go right away!” cried Alexia, poking up her head over Polly's shoulder. “You dreadful boy! Now, Polly, come.” And she pulled her off into the library.
“You see you didn't get anything for your pains,” said Jasper, bursting into a laugh. “You'd much better have staid here.”