ie,"--for Phronsie
had gone off for Jane to put on a clean apron,--"we're ready now--that
is, almost."

"When--when?" Polly could hear Alexia frantically asking, as she rushed
back into her room, which was next to Polly's own.

"Oh, just as soon as you are able," called Polly. "Now don't ask any
more questions, Alexia," she begged merrily. "Yes, Mamsie, we're
coming!"

* * * * *

That afternoon, Percy and Joel were rushing back to school from an
errand down to the village, and hurrying along with an awful feeling
that the half-past-five bell in the big tower on the playground would
strike in a minute.

"Hold on," called Percy, considerably in the rear; "how you get over the
ground, Joe!"

"And you're such a snail," observed Joel pleasantly. Nevertheless he
paused.

"What's that?" pricking up his ears.

"I don't hear anything." Percy came up panting.

"Of course not, when you're puffing like a grampus."

"What's a grampus?" asked Percy irritably.

"I don't know," said Joel honestly.

"Well, I wouldn't say words I didn't know what they meant," said Percy
in a patronizing tone, and trying not to realize that he was very hot.

"Well, do keep still, will you!" roared Joel. "There, there it is
again." He stooped down, and peered within a hedge. "Something's crying
in here."

"You'll get your eyes scratched out, most likely, by an old, cross cat,"
suggested Percy.

Joel, who cared very little for that or any warning, was now on his
knees. "Oh whickets!" he exclaimed, dragging out a small yellow dog,
who, instead of struggling, wormed himself all up against his rescuer,
whining pitifully.

"He's hurt," declared Joel, tossing back his stubby locks, and patting
the dog, who stopped whining, and licked him all over, as much of his
face and hands as he could reach.

"Oh, that dirty thing--faugh! How can you, Joel Pepper!" cried Percy in
distress.

But Joel didn't even hear him, being occupied in setting the dog on the
ground to try his paces.

"No, he's not hurt, after all, I guess," he decided, "but look at his
ribs,--he's half starved."

"I don't want to look at them," said Percy, turning his back, "and you
ought to let him alone; that bell will ring in half a second, Joel
Pepper!"

"True enough!" cried Joel. "Come on, Perky," this being the school name
of the older Whitney, and he picked up the dog, and shot off.

"What are you going to do with that dog?" yelled Perc