"Yes, I remember," Percy nodded placidly, "and you got all worsted and knocked into a heap. Everybody knew it."
"Do you suppose I'd pound a visitor?" cried Van wrathfully, his cheeks aflame. "Say, Percy Whitney?"
"No, I don't," said Percy, "not when 'twas Joe."
"That's just it. He was Polly's brother."
At mention of Polly, Percy's color rose, and he put out his hand. "Beg pardon, Van," he said. "Here, shake, and make up. I forgot all about our promise," he added penitently.
"I forgot it, too," declared Van, quieting down, and thrusting out his brown palm to meet his brother's. "Well, I don't care what you say if you'll only go halves in this lark," he finished, brightening up.
"Well, I will," said Percy, to make atonement.
"Come up to our room, then, and think it out," cried Van gleefully, flying over the stairs three at a bound. "Sh—sh! and hurry up!"
Just then the door-bell gave a loud peal, and Jencks the butler opened it to receive a box about two feet long and one broad.
"For Miss Phronsie Pepper," said the footman on the steps, holding it out, "but it's not to be given to her till to-morrow."