"Do come out," cried Ben; "whoever heard of trying to put on a coat in a closet? Whatever makes you, Polly?"
"And I do wish you'd go away," cried Polly, quite exasperated, and setting her hat straight, forgetting all about her face.
But instead, Ben, after a good look, took hold of her two shoulders and marched her out into the room. And before Polly knew it, her other arm was in its sleeve, and he was trying to button up her coat.
"Oh, Bensie," she mumbled; "I'm so sorry I was cross."
"Never mind," said Ben, giving her a comforting pat. "Well, come on, now you're ready, Polly."
And Joel and David plunging in tumultuously into Mamsie's room, followed by Jane ushering in Phronsie all attired for the trip, the whole bunch gathered around Mother Fisher's chair for final instructions.
"See, Mamsie," piped Phronsie, crowding up closely, to hold up the little money-bag dangling by its chain from her arm; "my own purse, and I'm going to buy things."
"Don't, Phron," said Joel, "push so," and he tried to get past her to stand nearest to Mother Fisher.
"What are you doing yourself," said Ben, "I sh'd like to know, Joel Pepper?"
"Well, that was my place," said Joel, loudly, and not yielding an inch.
"It was my place," he grumbled. But he hung his head and wouldn't look up into Mamsie's face.
"It's my very own purse," cried Phronsie, in a joyful little key, "and I'm going to buy things, I am. See, Mamsie!" She held it up before Mrs. Fisher, and patted it lovingly, while she crowded in worse than ever.
"Yes, I see," said Mrs. Fisher, smiling down into her face, but there was no smile for Joel, and looking up he caught her black eyes resting on him in a way he didn't like.
"You may have it, Phron!" he exclaimed, tumbling back against David suddenly, who was nearly knocked over by his sudden rebound. "I'd just as lief you would. Here, get in next to Mamsie."
"And I'm going to buy you something, Mamsie," said Phronsie, standing on her tiptoes to whisper confidentially into Mother Fisher's ear.
"You are, dear?" Mrs. Fisher leaned over to catch the whisper, but not before she sent a smile over to Joel that seemed to drop right down into the farthest corner of his heart. "Now Mother'll like that very much indeed."