menu_book Chapter 3

3. Haps and mishaps. "'I want Polly,' Francie was saying, wholly lost now to the fact that the really truly cat for Grandpapa had not been found. "'Bensie, I do.' "'Yes, Francie,' Ben made out to say, holding her hand fast, "'will see her pretty soon.'

"'She's lost!' cried Joel, wildly, who up to this time had been so diverted by the bewildering array of tin soldiers, drums, and express wagons, displayed on all sides as they threaded their way in among the crowds that surrounded the counters and shelves, that he hadn't given his mind to anything else. "'She's lost, Polly is,' he ended with a howl.

"'At this direful announcement Francie gave one cry, then she sat right down on the floor and lifted up her voice, "'I want Polly!' It was impossible to quiet her, and everybody in the immediate vicinity turned and stared. A small girl, trying to decide between a wooly dog and a pig, both of whose charms had held her for the past ten minutes, laid them down on the counter and ran over to the place where

the cry came from. When she saw the little group she pushed in between them. "'Oh dear me!' she cried to Francie, sitting there in a small heap and sobbing pitifully. "'How'd she get hurt?' Little David made way for her instantly, but Joel, who had stopped his wails in surprise

at her appearance, stood his ground. "'Go away,' he said, his black eyes shining through his tears. The small girl paid no attention to him. "'How'd she get hurt?' she kept on asking. "'She isn't hurt,' said Ben, not looking up as he knelt on the floor and wiped Francie's

streaming tears with his handkerchief. "'There, there, Francie, stop crying!' "'Oh dear me!' exclaimed the girl. "'What a little goose to cry!' and she laughed derisively. "'She isn't a goose,' cried Joel, in a loud injured tone.

"'My sister isn't a goose. So now you just take that back, you girl, you.' "'Joel,' commanded Ben sternly, stopped this moment, just as a floor-walker stalked up. "'You're blocking the way,' he said, with a great deal of official manner. "'And you must just take yourselves off out of this aisle.'

"'Little David, who up to this time clasping and unclasping his hands nervously, had said nothing, now looked up into the cross face. "'We've lost Polly,' he exclaimed. The floor-walker, not understanding, repeated to Ben, "'You've just got to get out of this aisle.'

"'But the small girl had heard. "'Oh dear me!' she exclaimed again. "'Now that's perfectly dreadful!' And she sat right down by Fronzie's side. "'I'll go and find her for you,' she said, putting her hands on Fronzie's two small ones,

doubled up in the folds of the fur-trimmed coat. "'And I'm sorry I called you a goose. Don't cry. I'll bring her back.' Fronzie, astonished out of her grief, and hearing the welcome words,

"'I'll bring her back,' looked up, radiantly, the tears trailing off down the round cheeks, while Joel, whose face had become a lively red, blurted out, "'And I'm sorry I was bad to you,' staring at the girl. "'Oh, I didn't mind you,' said the girl carelessly. "'Now, who is Polly?'

She looked up Ben as she spoke. Meanwhile she was helping Fronzie to her feet. "'Here she is now, I guess.' She gave a sharp, bird-like glance between the crowd, then started off like a flash, winding herself in and out of the throng,

and up to a girl a little bigger than herself. "'Are you Polly?' she demanded breathlessly. Polly, rushing along, searching one side and the other frantically for a glimpse of Ben's blue cap and sturdy shoulders. She hadn't much hope of seeing the children, for the crowd was very thick just here, hurried on, scarcely hearing the words.

"'Because if you are—' "'She wants you, the little girl does, and I guess they all do,' said the girl, rushing after her. "'Where are they?' cried Polly, turning on her. "'Please be quick and tell me.' "'Come on, I'll take you.'

The girl made her way through the crowd, edging along, and Polly, with the colour coming back to her cheek, that had gone quite white, followed as nimbly as she could till, "'Here she is, here's Polly!' she heard Joel's voice. And in a minute Polly was in their midst, her arms around Fronzie and cuddling her to her heart's content. And after this episode they all settled down to the business of shopping at once, all except Ben, who looked here and there for the small girl who had found Polly.

She had slipped away in the crowd. "'And we didn't even thank her,' said Ben, sorrowfully. "'Well, we must go to some other store and get Fronzie's cat,' said Polly, "'as long as we can't find her,' with a sigh so they all followed Ben, as he made a way for them through the crowd, Fronzie clinging to Polly's hand as if she never meant to let her go again.

All at once Ben darted aside, then turned back to Polly. "'There she is!' he pointed over to the counter, where the small girl had her pig and wooly dog once more, taking each up affectionately, then laying it down. "'Well, you can't do that all day,' observed the saleswoman crossly. "'Take one or leave it, or I'll put them both up again.'

"'He'd like them both,' said the small girl. "'My brother would, and I don't know which.' The saleswoman snatched up the pig and reached out an impatient hand for the wooly dog. "'Oh, Polly, just hear that!' whispered Ben. "'She wants them for her brother, and she was so good to us.'

"'I know it,' said Polly. "'Oh dear, I wish she could get them both.' Ben fumbled in his pocket and brought out his brown leather pocket-book. "'You give it to her,' he said, putting a silver half-dollar into Polly's hand. "'Oh, wick!' began Joel, with his big eyes at the half-dollar.

"'Don't say anything, Joel,' said Ben hurriedly, and dragging him off. "'Here, just look at that steam engine, will you?' Polly shut her fingers over the half-dollar, and still holding Franzi's hand she leaned over the small shoulder, which now she saw was thin, and touched the rusty black coat-sleeve. "'That's for the wooly dog,' she said softly, so nobody heard,

and slipping the half-dollar into the red hand without any glove on. "'Oh, my!' cried the girl, staring first at her hand, with the silver half-dollar shining up at her from the middle of it, and then into Polly's face. "'What's that for?' "'You were so good to us,' said Polly, simply, and before the girl could say a word she had slipped back to Ben,

and this time they were soon lost in the crowd down the aisle on their way to another shop. "'You've given away a whole half-dollar,' gasped Joel, staring up into Ben's face. "'Hush!' said Ben, hauling him on as Polly flew back. "'Well now then, we must hurry, else we never will get through.' "'Yes, we must get Franzi's cat,' said Polly, with a happy little thrill.

"'Oh, Ben, just think,' she whispered, for Ben never could bear to be thanked. "'She's bought that wooly dog by this time, I must know.' "'Do hush!' begged Ben. "'Oh, now, I know you are whispering secrets,' declared Joel, trying to crowd in between them. "'No, we are not,' said Polly.

"'Really and truly we are not, are we, Ben?' "'Then what are you whispering for?' demanded Joel, before Ben could answer, as they all hurried out, "'Franzi announcing gleefully that she was going to buy Grand Papa's cat, "'and pulling Ben along, whose hand she held, so that there was no time to peer into the shop windows. "'Polly and the boys brought up the rear of the little procession,

"'and there, sure enough, up on the top shelf of the animal department of the next toy shop, "'was a little yellow cat with very green eyes and a pink ribbon around her neck, "'looking down on the five little peppers, as if she had expected them all the while, "'as they hurried up to anxiously scan the assortment. "'And, oh, she had really and truly fur on.

"'When she saw that, Franzi screamed right out, "'She's there! Oh, I want her!' "'and stretched out her arms, the money bag dangling merrily, "'as if its services would be wanted presently. "'Oh, Polly, I do want her, I do!'

"'And before anyone would believe it, it was all done so quickly, "'the little yellow cat was taken down and paid for, "'and Franzi had it in her hand, and was stroking its back lovingly, "'and telling it about dear Grand Papa, "'and that it was going to him on Christmas Day, and ever so much more.

"'Ain't you going to have it wrapped up?' asked the saleswoman. "'Here, give it to me, and the ball put a paper on it for you.' "'Oh, no, no!' said Franzi, edging away in alarm. "'I'm not going to have it wrapped up,' said the saleswoman. "'Oh, no!' said Franzi, edging away in alarm,

"'and cuddling the little yellow cat up in her neck. "'She doesn't want to be wrapped up, don't, Benzie!' "'as he tried to take it out of her arms. "'All right,' said Ben, with a laugh. "'Oh, Ben, she can't carry it all the afternoon in that way,'

"'said Polly, disapprovingly. "'It won't do any harm if she does,' said Ben, with a glance at her, "'and I don't believe, Polly, she'll put that cat down till we get home,' "'he added. "'So out they went, Joel and David having to be dragged away

"'from the alluring toys at every description on all sides. "'Fairly clamouring to be purchased. "'Oh, I want that steam engine,' howled Joel. "'See, Dave, see!' "'I'd rather have the express wagon,' said David,

"'who hadn't been able to take his eyes from it the second he spied it. "'Huh, old wagon!' Joel exclaimed, in contempt. "'A steam engine'll go like this!' he shouted. "'He shot out his arm, regardless where it went. "'Take care!' a voice sang out, but it was too late.

"'Over went a pile of toys just purchased from the arms of a cash girl "'on its way to be wrapped up. "'Smash went something. "'A big doll with pink cheeks and very blue eyes, "'and, with an awful feeling at his heart,

"'Joel, with everybody else who saw the accident, "'bent over the heap of little pieces on the floor. "'All that remained of the pretty face.' "'You broke it!' declared the cash girl, "'a gust at the mischief, and her teeth fairly chattering with fright

"'as she whirled around to Joel. "'I didn't mean...' he began stoutly. "'David looked wildly around for Ben and Polly. "'They were ahead with Fronzie, so he ran after them on unsteady feet. "'I didn't mean,' Joel was saying again,

"'as they hurried up in great distress. "'Oh, Ben, don't let Fronzie see,' said Polly, "'as soon as she caught sight of the broken doll, "'for Fronzie never could bear to think of one being hurt. "'And she tried to draw her away.

"'Too late. Fronzie rushed into the very middle of the group "'just as the floor-walker was protesting. "'Of course you didn't do it,' to Joel, "'for it never would do to charge the trouble "'to rich Mr King's household.

"'He knew all the children well, "'as they had been many times at the shop "'with the old gentleman, who was one of his best customers. "'Oh, let me take her,' begged Fronzie, "'eagerly, Polly, can't I? Oh, please give her to me.'

"'And it was all your own carelessness,' went on the floor-walker sternly, fastening his gaze on the cash-girl, "'and quite delighted to blame somebody. "'And I shall report you to the office.

"'Now go ahead with those other things, "'and then come here and pick up these pieces "'of the doll back.' "'With that he turned off from everybody "'who had stopped to look at the accident

"'and marched off with the best manner on, "'and his head well in the air. "'Oh, dear me!' the cash-girl took two or three steps off "'toward the wrapping-counter, "'and began to cry all over the rest of the purchases

"'piled in her arms as she staggered on. "'Mean time Fronzie had sat down on the floor "'and was cuddling up the doll without any face "'against the little yellow cat. "'Joel stumbled off after the girl.

"'Don't cry!' and he twitched her arm. "'You be still and go right away,' "'cried the girl, turning on him as well as she could "'for the pile of bundles. "'As she stamped her foot in rage,

"'you've made me smash that doll, "'and they'll take it out of my pay, "'and now I can't get my mother any Christmas presents at all.' "'The tears were rolling down her cheeks "'and her face worked dreadfully.

"'They shan't!' declared Joel, "'his black eyes flashing. "'And now you'll make me smash these, I suppose,' "'said the cash girl. "'You go right away, you bad boy, you boo-hoo-hoo!'

"'I'll tell them I did it,' said Joel, "'bounding off to overtake the floor-walker. "'Say, oh, do stop!' "'For he had almost reached the office door. "'Mr. Please!'

"'And he sees the end of the departing coat, "'Polly and Ben both calling, "'astonished as they saw him fly past. "'So stop!' "'Hey! Oh, is that you?'

"'The floor-walker smoothed out his face "'when he saw who it was.' "'Yes,' said Joel, "'it is, and you mustn't make that girl pay for that doll.' "'Oh, don't you worry about that,'

"'said the floor-walker easily, with a smile. "'She's a careless thing, and I must make an example of her, "'or she'll break something else. "'It's all right, my boy.' "'And he put his hand where the big diamond ring

"'shone up from his little finger, "'familiarly on the sturdy shoulder. "'It isn't all right,' "'declared Joel hotly, and she didn't do it. "'I knocked her with my arm,

"'and that old doll fell off.' "'He swallowed hard. "'What an awful hole that would make in his pocket-book! "'Perhaps he wouldn't be able to buy "'only half as many things for his Christmas presents

"'as he had scrawled on the list within it, "'and the blood surged all over his round cheeks "'so his stubby black hair.' "'How much did it cost?' "'He asked faintly.

"'Oh, you won't have to pay for it,' "'said the floor-walker, smiling pleasantly, "'till he showed his white teeth. "'Mr. Persons would never charge you a cent for it.' "'Thank you,'

"'bobbed Joel in intense relief. "'That's awfully good.' "'And he laughed too, and gleefully "'slapped his pocket till, encountering the big pin again "'he thought better of that,

"'and said once more, "'Thank you, mister,' "'in the exuberance of his delight, and was moving off. "'Oh, no, indeed,' "'requited the floor-walker decidedly.

"'He wouldn't ever think of it. "'The girl's got to pay.' "'And he turned off too. "''Hey!' cried Joel, whirling around. "'Then he ran back to the tall man's side.

"''Has that girl got to pay?' "'he demanded, his black eyes flashing "'and his eyes working dreadfully. "'Say, tell me, has she?' "'Why, of course,' said the man.

"'Don't you worry. "'He won't touch a cent of your money, "'and you keep still. "'Well, I shall tell him myself,' "'said Joel, in a burst,

"'and dashing up to the first door he saw, "'he opened it and plunged in "'before the floor-walker could stop him. "'So Ben and Polly, "'staring in the direction he had run,

"'of course lost track of him, "'and had nothing to do but wait there till he came back. "'Joel pranced up to the first desk he saw, "'of which the room appeared to be full, "'and found himself by the side of a young man

"'with a very large head "'of toe-coloured hair, "'who was doing his best to find the bottom "'of a long column of figures. "'As he paid no attention to Joel's sudden appearance,

"'the floor-walker had time to add himself "'to their company. "'At this the young man deserted his figures, "'thrussed his pencil in the thicket of toe-hair, "'and said,

"'Hey, that you, Mackenzie!' "'But Mr Mackenzie paid small heed. "'Here, you don't want to come in here,' "'he said to Joel, "'I'll fix that up for you.'

"'But Joel, not caring, "'to wait for attentions that didn't appear "'to be forthcoming, "'dashed off to the next door. "'Where's the big man?' he demanded.

"'Hey?' "'The busy worker raised his head in astonishment "'to stare at the chubby face, "'thrust into his own. "'The big man, the one who's ahead of you all,'

"'said Joel impatiently, "'waving his arms around comprehensively "'to take in the whole counting-room. "'Oh, Mr Persons, I guess he means,' "'contributed the man of the neighbouring desk,

"'by this time everybody in the department "'had become interested, "'and pens were laid down, "'and heads were bobbed up.' "'Yes, yes,' cried Joel,

"'quite delighted to recognise the name "'that in his excitement had slipped away. "'Where is he?' "'drumming on the desk impatiently. "'In there, kid!'

"'The bookkeeper stuck his pen holder over his shoulder. "'And following its lead, "'Joel was soon within a little office "'that, if he had taken time to notice "'would have showed him, private,

"'in big letters across the door. "'But Joel hadn't time to waste on anything "'but the matter in hand, "'and he plunged up to the desk "'and burst out,

"'It was all my fault, and I want to pay for it. "'Don't let him make the little girl pay. "'Please don't!' "'And laid hold of the grey-haired man's arm "'at this last,

"'and held on with a grip, "'for Mr Mackenzie hurried up. "'Mr Persons dropped his pen in astonishment. "'His man was in a hurry "'and he was in a hurry to get his pen.

"'His mouth flew open, but he said not a word. "'I'll explain it, sir,' said the floor-walker "'with deference, "'but he had a withering look for Joel. "'You see, one of the—'

"'Oh, don't let him tell it,' burst in Joel, "'in terror, and gripping the arm on the desk "'worse than ever. "'He wants that poor little girl to pay. "'He brought his black eyes so close

"'to the grey-bearded face "'that the countenance holding them obscured "'everything else.' "'I'll tell you how it is, sir,' "'said Mackenzie hastily.

"'On the contrary, I'll let the boy tell his story,' "'said Mr Persons dryly. "'Now then, what is it, my lad?' "'And he brought his eyes just as sharp "'in their way, although the palest

"'of blue ones, to bear on Joel's face. "'So Joel, perfectly happy "'now that he had the telling of the story "'in his own way, "'began with great satisfaction

"'and never stopped to draw breath "'until he turned to pull out his pocket-book. "'Then he tugged on Mam's big shore-pin "'till he grew quite red in the face. "'At last it was out, and so was the money.

"'How much is it?' he cried. "'Oh, you want to pay for it?' "'asked Mr Persons, with a keen look "'into his flushed face. "'Yes, sir,' Joel bobbed his black head.

"'How much is it?' he demanded again, "'this time impatiently. "'Since it was all settled, "'he began wildly to think of Ben "'and Polly and the others.

"'And he was so happy "'that he could not help but think of "'Mr Persons, this time the floor-walker "'got back of the big office chair "'and whispered the information

"'as to who the boy was, "'without Joel's having a word. "'Mr Persons nodded. "'Well,' he said to Joel, "'his face not moving a muscle,

"'you may give me a dollar, my lad, "'and we'll consider that everything is all squared up "'in regard to the injury to that doll.' "'So Joel counted out a dollar "'from his hoarded silver pieces

"'in the person's hand, "'the floor-walker staring in amazement "'at his employer. "'Then he fastened up his pocket again, "'sticking Mam's big shore pin in tighter than ever.

"'All right, thank you, sir.' "'And he marched through the rows of men "'at their desks in the big counting-room, "'all curiously staring at him as he passed. "'Outside he found Ben and Polly

"'making anxious inquiries of everyone, "'David following closely, "'Beyond saying a word, "'and Fronzie, who didn't know "'that he was lost, only that the poor sick doll

"'had to be left to get a new head-on. "'What have you been about, Joe?' cried Ben, "'for even David was not quite clear "'how it all had happened. "'Oh, something,' said Joel, carelessly

"'craning his neck to look about on all sides. "'Oh, wickets! There she is!' "'And he was gone again, "'this time in chase of a small cash-girl. "'When everything was finally all explained,

"'he was gone again, "'and he was gone again, "'this time in chase of a small cash-girl. "'When everything was finally all explained, "'and the cash-girl had stepped off with a radiant face,

"'Ben drew his charges off "'into a quiet corner, "'and said quite decidedly, "'See here now, we'll buy Grandpapa's present first, "'and make sure of it.'

"'Yes, do,' said Polly, "'for we never will get through "'in all this world. "'Well, what shall we choose, Ben?' "'What do you choose?' asked Ben,

"'looking only at her. "'Oh, I know, I know,' said Joel, "'eagerly. Hush, Joel,' "'let Polly say. "'I don't know,' said Polly.

"'Polly doesn't know, broken Joel. "'Let me tell. I know something splendid, Ben.' "'You be still, Joel,' said Ben, "'and let Polly think. "'Well, I thought perhaps he'd like books,'

"'said Polly slowly, "'wrinkling up her brows in little puckers. "'Oh!' exclaimed Joel "'in great disgust. "'Books aren't any good, I know.'

"'Books will be fine, Polly,' said Ben, smiling approval. "'Anything else for second choice?' "'No,' said Polly, "'I can't think of another thing.

"'Grandpapa has got just every single thing "'in the world, I do believe.' "'She brought up with a sigh. "'I heard him say he'd broken his gold pen,' "'said Ben, the other day.

"'Oh, Benzie,' cried Polly, "'with sparkling eyes and seizing his arm, "'how perfectly splendid you are "'to always think up the right things.' "'No, I don't, Polly,'

"'Ben was guilty of contradiction, "'but his cheek glowed. "'You always get ahead of me with twenty plans "'while I'm thinking up one.' "'But your one is the best,'

"'laughed Polly, squeezing his arm affectionately. "'Oh, now let's hurry and buy the gold pen.' "'Well, do you children want it?' "'asked Ben, looking around at them, "'because it must be something that we all like,

"'else Grandpapa won't care anything for it.' "'Phew!' cried Joel, "'horribly disappointed at such a quiet place. "'But I'm sure you'll be fine, "'with a pen, Joel, horribly disappointed

"'at such a quiet present. "'What's an old pen, anyway? "'Can't write with it without a handle.' "'Well, we are going to give the handle, of course,' "'said Ben, only it must be a black one,

"'for we haven't money enough for a solid gold one.' "'And did you suppose we'd give Grandpapa "'a pen without a handle, Joey?' "'said Polly, quite horror-stricken "'at the very idea.'

"'Well, you said pen,' "'persisted Joel.' "'And so it is pen,' "'said Ben, gaily, his spirit's rising fast, "'and handle, too.

"'Well, now, do you vote for it, "'Jo?' and he slapped his back. "'Yes,' said Joel, "'if you'll give the handle, too.' "'And David said yes,

"'then Polly had to explain it all to Fronzie. "'And just think, pet, "'you can sit by him at his table "'and watch him write with it,' she finished. "'Oh, I want to buy my dear

"'Grandpapa a pen,' "'cried Fronzie, dreadfully excited "'and hopping up and down. "'Do, Benzie, please get it now, "'this very one minute.'

End of chapter three.