thing, "just once,
Phronsie, and then you must stop."

So Phronsie kept on her way rejoicing, while Polly still sat on the
lowest stair, and drummed impatiently on the stair above her, waiting
for her to get through.

Jappy came through the hall and found them thus. "Halloa, Polly!" he
said, stopping suddenly; "what's the matter?"

"Oh, Phronsie's been going so," said Polly, looking up at the little
figure above them, which had nearly reached the top in delight, "that I
can't stop her. She has really, Jappy, almost all the morning; you can't
think how crazy she is over it."

"Is that so?" said Jasper, with a little laugh. "Hulloa, Phronsie, is
it nice?" and he tossed a kiss to the little girl, and then sat down by
Polly.

"Oh," said Phronsie, turning to come down, "it's the beyew-tiflest place
I ever saw, Jasper! the very be-yew-tiflest!"

"I wish she could have her picture painted," whispered Jasper,
enthusiastically. "Look at her now, Polly, quick!"

"Yes," said Polly, "isn't she sweet!"

"Sweet!" said Jasper. "I should think she was!"

The sunlight through an oriel window fell on the childish face and
figure, glinting the yellow hair, and lighting up the radiant face, that
yet had a tender, loving glance for the two who waited for her below.
One little foot was poised, just in the act of stepping down to the next
lower stair, and the fat hand grasped the polished railing, expressive
of just enough caution to make it truly childish. In after years Jasper
never thought of Phronsie without bringing up this picture on that April
morning, when Polly and he sat at the foot of the stairs, and looked up
and saw it.

"Where's Jap?" called one of the boys; and then there was a clatter out
into the hall.

"What are you doing?" and Van came to a full stop of amazement and
stared at them.

"Resting," said Jappy, concisely, "what do you want, Van?"

"I want you," said Van, "we can't do anything without you, Jappy; you
know that."

"Very well," said Jasper, getting up. "Come on, Polly, we must go."

"And Phronsie," said Van, anxiously, looking up to Phronsie, who had
nearly reached them by this time, "we want her, too."

"Of course," said Polly, running up and meeting her to give her a hug;
"I don't go unless she does."

"Where are we going, Polly?" asked Phronsie, looking back longingly to
her beloved stairs as she was borne off.

"To the greenhouse, chick!" said Jasper, "to help Turner; and it'll be
good