“O dear, I wish she’d hurry,” grumbled Joel, and squirming dreadfully on his hard wooden chair.
Little David held his breath in delighted expectation, while Phronsie twisted her small fingers into her brown eyes. She wouldn’t have seen for the world until Polly wanted her to, when a fumbling noise back of them struck upon all their ears.
“I guess Polly’s thought of something she wanted to do to the refreshments,” said Ben to himself; “though I don’t see what it can be, for they look so nice.” But if Polly wasn’t satisfied, and still wanted to fix them over—why, it was all right; so he settled himself back on his chair.
But Polly seemed to be in a good many minds about the beautiful array of eatables, for the little clicking sound showed that the mugs and cups were being moved about; besides other noises that showed that something else was going on among the refreshments.
“What can she be doing?” said Ben to himself, more puzzled than ever, when—
“Oh!” screamed somebody. It surely was Polly, but she was in front of them. And the whole row, tearing away their hands,—for it was impossible to keep their eyes shut after that,—saw Polly, the perfect picture of astonishment, coming out of the bedroom, the old green parasol in her hand, and looking with all her eyes at the table back of them. Every one whirled around. There on the edge, in calm enjoyment, sat a monkey, resplendent in a smart red waistcoat adorned all down the front with shining brass buttons, and a perky little red cap, which, not forgetting his manners, he was pulling off with one hand. The other was cramming the last little brown biscuit into his mouth. The mugs and cups stood empty, and the blue willow jelly plate was licked quite clean.
“Oh!” screamed somebody.—Page [393].
“Oh—oh—oh—a monkey!” It was impossible for anything else to be heard. Joel choked, trying to say as he pointed with shaking finger to the company sitting on the table, “He’s eat it all up,” but even he could not get out any words. But Company didn’t seem to mind the lack of a welcome in the least, peering about as he wrinkled up his brows, for more refreshments. But there were none—that was plain enough to be seen.
So then what did he do but hop to the floor, and begin the most surprising antics possible, perhaps thinking it quite time for him to do something to entertain, who had been so well entertained himself; but more than likely with a view to being offered something further in the way of refreshment, if he did his best.