Just then some one called Phronsie. "Oh, dear," she sighed involuntarily, as Ben sped over the stairs without her.
"I thought you were never coming home, Ben," said Polly, meeting him in the upper hall. "Oh, we've such a fine thing to tell you!"
"I'm going to guess," said Ben wisely.
"Oh, you never can," declared Polly; "never in all this world. Don't try."
"Can't I, though? Give me a chance. You are to have a surprise party, and go to see Jasper. There!"
"How did you guess?" cried Polly in wide-eyed astonishment.
Ben burst into a hearty laugh. "Well, I met Phronsie, if you must know."
"Of course," laughed Polly; "how stupid in me! Well, was ever anything so fine in all this world?" and she danced down the hall, and came back flushed and panting.
"And Grandpapa has written to tell Mr. Cabot how it is, and to ask for a day or two off for you," she said, with a little pat on his back.
"O, Polly!" exclaimed Ben, in dismay, "Grandpapa shouldn't—I mean, I ought not to go. I'd really rather not."