“And I say I shall,” cried Percy in a passion and forgetting the same thing; “and as for your beginning first, you are always crowding in, so that’s nothing.”
Polly leaned back in her big chair, and looked at them in dismay.
“And I think you would both better go out of my den,” said Jasper coldly.
“O Jasper!” exclaimed Polly quickly. At the sound of her voice both boys turned and looked at her. “I didn’t mean to!” exclaimed Van, wilting miserably. “And I didn’t either,” cried Percy, wishing he wasn’t so big, and could creep into a corner.
“And please don’t,” cried Polly at them; and she clasped her hands, and her cheeks got rosy red again.
“We won’t! we won’t!” they both promised; and Van slipped back to his seat, and Percy said, “You may tell Phronsie, Van, if you want to.”
“No, I don’t,” said Van, getting down as small in his chair as he could, feeling Polly’s brown eyes looking him through.
“I would rather have Polly tell me,” said Phronsie with grave eyes for both of the boys.
“Yes, you tell her, Polly, do,” said Jasper; “that is best.”