"Look at us," cried Ben, throwing back his head to see her eyes. "Do we act as if we had been talked over?"
At that, Polly burst into a merry laugh; and the others joining, Mother Pepper laughing as heartily as the rest, the big room became the jolliest place imaginable.
"No, I don't really think you do," said Mrs. Pepper, wiping her eyes.
"Dear me!" cried Jasper, putting his head in the doorway, "what good fun is going on? I'm not going to be left out."
"Come in, Jasper," they all called.
"And we've a piece of news that will make your hair stand on end," said
Joel gaily.
"Joe, don't announce it so," cried Polly in dismay, who dearly enjoyed being elegant. "Ben must tell it; he is the oldest."
"No, no; let Polly," protested Ben.
"Polly shall," said Jasper, hurrying in to stand the picture of patience before the group. "Hurry, do, for I must say my curiosity is hard to keep within bounds."
So Polly was gently pushed into the center of the circle. "Go on," said
Joel, "and hurry up, or I shall tell myself."