l, even
Polly, and flung herself into Mr. King's arms, in a perfect torrent of
sobs. "Oh! let's go back!" was all they heard!

"Dear me!" ejaculated the old gentleman, in the utmost amazement; "and
such a time as I've had to get her here too!" he added, staring around
on the astonished group, none of whom had a word to say.

But Polly stood like a statue! All Jasper's frantic efforts at comfort,
utterly failed. To think that Phronsie had left her for any one!--even
good Mr. King! The room seemed to buzz, and everything to turn upside
down--and just then, she heard another cry--"Oh, I want Polly, I do!"

With a bound, Polly was at Mr. King's side, with her face on his coat,
close to the little tear-stained one. The fat, little arms unclasped
their hold, and transferred themselves willingly to Polly's neck; and
Phronsie hugged up comfortingly to Polly's heart, who poured into her
ear all the loving words she had so longed to say.

Just then there was a great rush and a scuffling noise; and something
rushed up to Phronsie "Oh!" And then the next minute, she had her arms
around Prince's neck, too, who was jumping all over her and trying as
hard as he could, to express his overwhelming delight.

"She's the cunningest little thing I ever saw," said Mrs. Whitney,
enthusiastically, afterward, aside to Mr. King. "Such lovely yellow
hair, and such exquisite brown eyes--the combination is very striking.
How did her mother ever let her go?" she asked impulsively, "I didn't
believe you could persuade her, father."

"I didn't have any fears, if I worked it rightly," said the old
gentleman complacently. "I wasn't coming without her, Marian, if it
could possibly be managed. The truth is, that Phronsie had been pining
for Polly to such an extent, that there was no other way but for her
to have Polly; and her mother was just on the point, although it almost
killed her, of sending for Polly--as if we should have let her go!" he
cried in high dudgeon; just as if he owned the whole of the Peppers, and
could dispose of them all to suit his fancy! "So you see, I was just in
time; in the very nick of time, in fact!"

"So her mother was willing?" asked his daughter, curiously. "Oh, she
couldn't help it," cried Mr. King, beginning to walk up and down the
floor, and beaming as he recalled his successful strategy; "there wasn't
the smallest use in thinking of anything else. I told her 'twould just
stop Polly from ever being a musician if sh