“Oh, wasn’t that perfectly splendid!” shouted Joel. And everybody was so delighted with the capture of the robbers that they forgot to reprove him. And Phronsie clapped her little hands, and crowed and laughed with the rest; and [Mrs. Whitney heard the noise and ran in to see what the fun was.] “Well, I declare,” she exclaimed, hurrying over to their corner, “to think I’ve missed this splendid time!”
[Mrs. Whitney heard the noise, and ran in to see what the fun was.]
“Oh, Mamma!” cried little Dick, hopping out of the centre of the circle closing around Polly; “she’s been telling us beautiful things about robbers and—cats—and”—
“No, she hasn’t,” contradicted Van, “it’s only one cat. Dick’s so little; he doesn’t know anything”—
“O Vanny!” reproved his mother.
“And I’m not little,” cried little Dick wrathfully, and standing very tall. “And she did tell about robbers—Polly Pepper did.”
“Well, you said cats,” said Percy; “and ’twasn’t but one.”
“Never mind,” said Jasper; “this one was wise enough for a dozen cats. Do stay, Sister Marian; it’s a fine story,” turning his kindling face toward her.