Five Little Peppers Abroad | Page 7

I would with her. The Griswolds are well
enough to play games with, and all that; but you know what I mean. Do
make her come out with us this morning, and listen to reason," she
repeated, winding up helplessly.
"But I think she is just right," said Jasper, stoutly.
"Right!" cried Fanny, explosively; "oh, how can you say so, Mr. Jasper!
Why, she is losing just every bit of the fun."
"I know it," said Jasper, with a twinge at the thought. "Well, there is
nothing more to be said or done, Miss Vanderburgh, since Polly has
decided the matter. Only I want you to remember that I think she is just
right about it."
Fanny Vanderburgh pouted her pretty lips in vexation. "At least, don't
try to get that dreadful boy into our own set to play games," she cried
venomously, "for I won't speak to him. He's a perfect boor. 'Twas only
yesterday he brushed by me like a clumsy elephant, and knocked my
book out of my hand, and never even picked it up. Think of that, Mr.
King!"
"I know--that was dreadful," assented Jasper, in dismay at the obstacle
to the plan he had formed in his own mind, to do that very thing he was
now being warned against. "But you see, Miss Vanderburgh, he's all
upset by his Grandfather's sickness."
"And I should think he would be," cried Fanny Vanderburgh, with
spirit. "Mrs. Griswold says she's heard him domineering over the old
man, and then his Grandfather would snarl and scold like everything.
She has the next state-room, you know. I don't see how those Selwyns
can afford such a nice cabin," continued Fanny, her aristocratic nose in
the air, "they look so poor. Anyway that boy is a perfect beast, Mr.
King."

"He's very different now," said Jasper, quickly. "He had no idea his
Grandfather was so poorly. Now I'll tell you, Miss Vanderburgh,"
Jasper turned sharply around on his heel so that he faced her. It was
necessary with a girl like her to state plainly what he had to say, and to
keep to it. "I am going to ask Tom Selwyn to play games with all us
young people. If it distresses you, or any one else, so that you cannot
join, of course I will withdraw, and I know Polly will, and we will get
up another circle that will play with him."
It was almost impossible to keep from laughing at Fanny's face, but
Jasper was very grave as he waited for an answer. "O dear me, Mr.
Jasper," she cried, "haven't I told you I don't really care for any one on
board but Polly Pepper, and Mamma doesn't want me to mix up much
with those Griswolds?" She lowered her voice and glanced over her
shoulder. "It would make it so awkward if they should be much in New
York, and we should meet. So of course I've got to do as Polly and you
do. Don't you see?--it's awfully hard on me, though," and she clasped
her hands in vexation.
"Very well, then," said Jasper; "now that's decided. And seeing it is,
why the next thing to do, is to bring Tom down, and we'll get up a
game of shuffle-board at once. He's not needed by his Grandfather
now." He didn't think it necessary to add, "for the old gentleman won't
see him, and Tom is forbidden the room by the doctor."
Fanny's aristocratic nose went up in alarm, and her whole face was
overspread with dismay. It was one thing to anticipate evil, and quite
another to find it precipitated upon one. "I--I don't--believe I can play
this morning, Mr. Jasper," she began hurriedly, for the first time in her
young life finding herself actually embarrassed. She was even twisting
her fingers.
"Very well," said Jasper, coolly, "then I understand that you will not
play with us at any time, for, as we begin to-day, we shall keep on. I
will set about getting up another party at once." He touched his yacht
cap lightly, and turned off.
"I'll go right down on the lower deck with you now." Fanny ran after
him, her little boot heels clicking excitedly on the hard floor. "The
steward has marked it all for us. I got him to, while I ran to find Polly
so as to engage the place," she added breathlessly.
"That's fine," said Jasper, a smile breaking over the gloom on his face;

"now we'll have a prime game, Miss Vanderburgh."
Fanny swallowed hard the lump in her throat, and tried to look pleasant.
"Do you go and collect the Griswolds," cried Jasper, radiantly, "and I'll
be back with Tom," and he plunged off. It was all done in a minute.
And the thing