in a puzzled way, as he was never able to take his mind off very long
from the Peppers and their affairs.
The little doctor burst into a happy laugh, he was so pleased, and it
was so very contagious that before long everybody at the table had
joined, until any one looking in would have said, "Well, well, it's no
use to wait for Christmas to be jolly, for here we are merry as a grig
now!"
"I don't know in the least what I'm laughing at," said old Mr. King, at
last, "but you are enough, Fisher, to start us off always. Now be so
good as to tell me what it is all about," and he wiped his eyes.
"Why, the old lady, Mrs. Van Ruypen, whatever her name is, wasn't so
very much hurt," said Ben, his blue eyes shining.
"And it's so very lovely, Grandpapa," cried Polly, her cheeks very red,
and clapping her hands, even if she were at the table.
"It's prime!" shouted Joel, coming up straight in his chair, his black
eyes shining. But at the next remark, down he slid again, wishing he
hadn't said anything.
"Oh, it isn't that!" said Doctor Fisher, quickly, "I'm glad enough I can
fix the old lady up; but it's my children." Then he set his glasses
straight, which had slipped down his nose, and beamed affectionately on
the four faces.
Mrs. Fisher slipped her hand on his tired one, as it rested on his lap.
"What is it, Adoniram?" she asked.
"Why, that old--I mean Mrs. Van Ruypen,--I should just as soon think of
a stone gate-post breaking out--says our children helped her, and she's
overcome with gratitude. Think of it, Mary, that old stone post!"
"Oh!" cried Joel, burrowing deeply, till his face was almost obscured.
"And she can't say enough about them. Wants them to come over
to-morrow."
"Ugh!" with that Joel wholly disappeared, sliding down under the table.
"Where are you going, Joe?" Ben exclaimed, and the butler hurrying over,
Joel was soon drawn out and installed once more on his chair. This time
he was the centre for all eyes.
"Oh, Joel!" Mother Fisher's delight which had spread over her face died
out so suddenly, that Joel blurted out, dreadfully distressed, "I didn't
mean to, Mamsie," and he choked back the tears, not to add to his
disgrace.
"Brighten up, Joel," said little Doctor Fisher, cheerily. "We'll forgive
him this time, Mary, for Mrs. Van Ruypen sent her love to him, and
particularly wants him to come to-morrow, and--"
"No, no," howled Joel, this time all lost to control, "I was bad to
her," and every bit of blood rushed up to his round face.
"Why, she says she was bad to you," observed the little doctor,
demurely; "anyway you are to go with the others to-morrow, Joe, so it's
all right, my boy."
V
"THE PRESENTS ALL GO FROM SANTA CLAUS"
Joel protested up to the very last that he couldn't go to see the big
lady in the black silk coat.
"But maybe she won't have it on," said David, who had been anxiously
hanging on Joel's every word, and surveying his round countenance in
fear. Supposing Joel shouldn't really go! This would be worse than all,
and David clasped and unclasped his hands nervously.
"Of course she won't have it on!" exclaimed Polly, briskly. "Why, the
very idea, she wouldn't wear that in the house!"
"Now you see, Joel," cried David, much relieved, and his face
brightening, "she won't, really, for Polly says so."
"Well, you've got to go anyway," declared Ben, in a downright way there
was no mistaking. "So say no more, Joe, but get your cap."
The other Pepper children were all in a bunch in the wide hall revolving
around Joel, who felt, as long as he postponed getting his coat and cap,
he was surely safe from making the awful expedition. But now, seeing
Ben's blue eyes upon him, he set out for the closet in the back hall
where the boys' outer garments were kept, grumbling at every step.
"O dear me! This is too dreadful for anything," sighed Polly, sinking
down on the last step of the stairs. When Phronsie saw her do this, she
hurried over, and snuggled up in her fur-trimmed coat as close as she
could get to her side.
"I wish Jasper was home," said Ben, with a long breath, and going across
to stand in front of the two.
"So we wish all the time," said Polly, "but then, he can't come till
Friday, and that's just forever."
Little David, left alone, thought the best thing he could do would be to
run after Joel. So he precipitated himself upon that individual, who,
just knocking down his cap from its hook, was beginning to prowl around
the floor in the corner of the closet.
"Can't find it," growled Joel, knocking off more things in his
irritation.
"Oh, let me!" cried David, delighted to help. "Let me, Joel; I'll get
it!"
"You keep off," cried Joel, lifting a hot, red face; "I'll get it
myself. And I won't go to see that old woman!" he declared savagely.
"Oh, yes, you must, Joe!" cried David, in alarm.
"I won't, I won't, I won't!" declared Joel, feeling with each repetition
of the word a happy independence.
"Yes, indeed, the children have gone," a voice suddenly proclaimed above
the stairs, as somebody opened the door and came out into the upper
hall. "Yes, Mrs. Whitney, they have gone to Mrs. Van Ruypen's."
"It's Mamsie," gasped David, clutching Joel's shoulders, who ducked back
into his corner so suddenly that they both went down in a little heap.
"Did she hear?" gasped Joel, holding his breath for the answer.
"I don't believe so," said David, when he could extricate himself from
Joel sufficiently, who now grasped him by both hands in a way very
uncomfortable for conversation. "No, I don't really believe she did,
Joel, 'cause she said we'd gone."
"She'll hear us now, anyway," said Joel, thrust into the depths of
gloom, his independence completely deserting him; "what'll we do?"
Little David found his feet and tiptoed out to listen under the stairs.
"She's going into her room," he announced in a whisper, coming back to
the closet. "Come, Joey, do hurry."
So Joel picked up his cap and crammed it on his head, and stepped out of
the closet, but he had a very gloomy air when the two boys presented
themselves in the front hall.
"O there! now you see," said Polly to Ben, quite in despair, "just how
very dreadful it's all going to be, when Joel goes with such a face."
"Well, come on," said Ben, setting his lips tightly together. So Polly
and Phronsie got off from the stair, and if the expedition was not begun
in hilarity, it was at least started.
But when they reached the big house of Mrs. Van Ruypen, that loomed up
across the square like a heavy, dark brown fortress, the situation was
much worse.
"I'm not going in," declared Joel, all his terrors returning, and he
planted his feet firmly on the pavement, determined not to go up the
first step. How it was done, he never knew, but the next moment he was
at the top of the flight under Ben's hands, who released him enough to
ring the bell, and the butler answering the summons, Joel was really the
first person to enter, which he did with a bound, as if extremely eager
to get in.
And then, it was all like a dream! They were ushered into a reception
room, high and dark and gloomy, and told to take off their things, for
madam would receive them upstairs. In the excitement of it all, Polly,
while undoing Phronsie's coat and taking off her bonnet, forgot all
about Joel, and it wasn't really until after they had mounted the long
stairs that she had the first thought about him. And then, O dear me!
there stood Madam Van Ruypen, with a long white hand, fairly blazing
with rings, outstretched to welcome them.
"Where's the other boy?" she demanded, looking over the group.
"He came," said Polly, faintly, growing quite scarlet at such dreadful
manners in one of her family, for which she felt responsible. "He really
did, ma'am."
"Impossible!" exclaimed Madam Van Ruypen; "you can see for yourself he's
not here," and her face fell.
Ben said never a word, but dashed down the long flight. There was Joel,
the picture of gloom, on one of the big chairs in the reception room. He
had run back, after Ben supposed that he was at his heels, and found the
only refuge he could think of.
"You're a nice boy," said Ben, picking him off from his chair. "Now
march, Joe," and he kept him well in front of him; and at last, there he
was, and Madam Van Ruypen had taken his hand. But he didn't look at her.
"Well, at last you are all here," she was saying; "now I'm going to tell
you what I wanted you for."
No one of the five little Peppers appeared to breathe, except Phronsie,
who chirped out, "Oh, we've come all this way to see you!"
"Yes, yes, I know," said Madam Van Ruypen, who was vastly pleased at
that, and she nodded her head, that had a ponderous affair of lace and
jet upon it, down toward Phronsie; "but there was something I especially
wanted of you, and I'll tell it in one word. You must choose the toys
I'm going to send to some poor children." Without another word, she
turned and swung the door wide to another room, and there, before their
entranced eyes, was toyland!
Joel took one look, and howled out, "Oh, I will; let me; let me!"
bounding in.
"So you shall," said Madam Van Ruypen, laughing heartily. "There, get in
there, all of you, and set to work."
There was no need to tell them this, and they were soon running about,
not pausing long in any spot, for the attractions overflowed on tables
and chairs, and even the carpet appeared to be covered with the best
specimens of toys from all the shops in town. But Phronsie went directly
over and sat down in front of a big doll, and gazed at her without a
word.
"Oh, it's just like Gallagher's," cried Polly, flying about with
sparkling eyes, and she clasped her hands. "Oh, what richness!"
"Hoh, it's better than Gallagher's," retorted Joel, in scorn, who had
always thought that shop was the very finest place imaginable. "Dave,
here's the steam-engine, the very one!" he cried, spying it in a corner.
Madam Van Ruypen laughed again, and this time it seemed as if she were
not going to stop. And pretty soon the whole room looked as if Santa
Claus himself had been there with his load, while as for the babel of
voices,--well, it was exactly like a flock of blackbirds all chattering
together.
"You said they were going to poor children," said Polly, at last, flying
up to the tall figure that now it seemed as if they had known all their
lives. "Oh, do tell us about it."
"So I will." Madam Van Ruypen swept off the articles from a big
easy-chair, preparatory to sitting down.
"Let me!" said Ben, coming up in his slow way. But the toys were half
off, and Polly had gathered up the rest, and the big figure was already
in the chair.
"You see," she began--
"Oh, would you please wait?" begged Polly, in great distress, looking
over across the room where Joel and David were deep in the charms of
some mechanical toy.
"Yes, to be sure," said Madam Van Ruypen, good naturedly, while Polly
ran over to them. "Boys, come!" she cried hurriedly.
"Something's the matter with this pig," said Joel, not looking at her,
and fussing with the animal in question.
"Well, put it down," said Polly, impatiently. "She's going to tell us
what she wants us to do."
"Then Dave'll get my pig," said Joel, with one eye askance at that
individual.
"Oh, no, he won't touch it; will you, Davie?" said Polly. "Do put it
down, Joe, and come along."
"No, I won't," said David, "touch it a single bit." So Joel laid the pig
carefully down, and the two boys hurried after Polly.
Madam Van Ruypen now began again.
"Phronsie ought to hear," said Joel, as he crowded up.
"Hush," said Ben, looking over at her where she still sat absorbed in
the big doll; "you let her be, Joel, and keep still."
"I have had so much trouble over every Christmas," said Madam Van
Ruypen, proceeding briskly, "selecting presents for some children I
happen to know about, who ought to have them, that really I sometimes
wish there wasn't any Christmas."
Wish there wasn't any Christmas! Every one of the Peppers who heard
those direful words tumbled back in dismay and gazed at her in
amazement.
"I really did, but I don't now!" Madam Van Ruypen drew a long breath,
then she laughed again. "Well, here we are, and this Christmas I mean to
have an easy time, for I'm not to select a single thing myself, but put
all the responsibility on you young people."
"Do you really mean," cried Polly Pepper, crowding up quite closely,
with flushed cheeks, "that we can pick out the toys and things for you
to give to your poor children? Oh, do you mean it?"
"To be sure, bless you, yes; why, that is just why I got you over here,
and what I've had this room turned into a toy-shop for." She waved her
long, white hands over at the array.
"Oh, oh, Joel," Polly seized the arm next to her and gave it a little
tweak, "do begin, for she wants us to pick out the things she is to send
to the poor children. I'm going to choose that work-box, and that
backgammon board, and--" and Polly ran off and was deep in a dozen
things at once.
"Hoh, I'm not," said Joel, who couldn't bear backgammon; "I'm going to
choose my pig, when I fix him so he'll squeak, and my steam-engine. Yes,
sir! that's the best of all."
And immediately the entire room was in a bustle.
Ben turned off with the others, but presently came slowly back to stand
a minute at Madam Van Ruypen's chair, where she sat with folded hands.
"Well, what is it?" she asked, looking up into his face.
"Were you picking out toys for the poor children when we saw you
yesterday?" asked Ben, looking at her steadily.
"Dear me, yes; what do you suppose could have induced me to go into such
a mob?" cried Madam Van Ruypen.
"Oh!" said Ben, then he turned back and set to work on doing what he
could to pick out the things he should want if he were really a poor
boy, not likely to get presents in any other way.
But the nicest of all things, so he thought,--thick boots, mittens, and
fur tippets to keep out the cold,--were not there, and he stifled a
sigh, and gave his mind to do the best he could under the circumstances.
"Something is the matter, I see." He didn't know it, but there the old
lady was, close by his side, and the next words showed clearly that she
had discovered what was on his mind.
"Out with it, Ben,--for that's your name, I believe."
"Yes," said Ben, "it is."
"Well, you might as well tell me, for I see very plainly that you don't
think I've had the right things sent up from the stores. What would you
send to poor children for their Christmas?"
"I think a boy would like a pair of boots," said Ben, slowly; then he
came to the conclusion that he might as well tell the whole, "or a thick
coat, or some mittens, and a tippet."
"But those wouldn't be Christmas presents; those are everyday things,"
said the old lady, sharply.
"They wouldn't be his everyday things," said Ben, sturdily.
"Oh, perhaps that is so," said Madam Van Ruypen, thoughtfully. "Well,
let us see." She took up some books, whirled the pages a minute, to give
herself time to think, then she pushed them all away impatiently. "You
go on, and choose what you think some boys would like out of the things
that are here, as we haven't any clothes among them," then she turned
away, and swept back into her seat. And Ben, feeling very sure that the
wrong thing had been said by him, set to work, as best he might, to do
as she wanted.
When the task was over, it seemed as if all the toys and gay articles
had been chosen, every one!
"They are all perfectly beautiful," sighed Polly, "and we can't leave
any out."
"So I am to send them all," said Madam Van Ruypen, much pleased to think
that her experiment in having the things sent up was so approved, and
looking around at them all.
"Oh, yes, yes!" they cried, Joel especially vociferating that not a
single one was to be omitted. Now that he had discovered the weak part
in the pig's voice, and had fixed it to his satisfaction, everything was
all right.
"Please give her to the poor child," begged Phronsie, who had the whole
thing explained to her by Polly, and coming up with very pink cheeks to
hold as high as she could the big doll. "Oh, do, please do, and give it
right away."
"Oh, I shall not give it," said Madam Van Ruypen, decidedly.
A quiver came into Phronsie's voice and her lip drooped, and she looked
as if she were going to cry. "Please," she began.
"Santa Claus is going to take it to her," said the old lady, making
haste to explain when she saw Phronsie's face. "Don't you be afraid,
child; the poor little girl will get her doll."
"Oh, then I'm glad," said Phronsie, beginning to smile. And two little
tears that were just starting out determined to go back again. Then she
laughed gleefully. "Polly, Polly," she cried in great excitement, "the
big lady is going to take it to the poor little girl; she is, Polly, she
said so."
"I shan't take it," said Madam Van Ruypen, nodding over to Polly; "the
little girl won't know it's from me, but she will have it all the same."
"Shan't you tell her you sent it?" demanded Joel, who had caught the
words, and whirling around suddenly; "shan't you tell her about any of
the things?" waving his hands in all directions.
"Of course not," declared Madam Van Ruypen. "Dear me, not for the world,
Joel, would I have them know where the things come from. The presents
all go from Santa Claus."
"Oh!" said Joel.
"And now you don't know--you can't even guess," said Madam Van Ruypen,
"what a load you have taken off my mind by coming here to help me."
"Have we?" cried Polly, with glistening eyes.
"Oh, so much!" declared the old lady.
"I haven't," said Joel; "I've only had a good time," and patting his
steam-engine lovingly. Then he set it off once more. "Whee,--whiz,--see
her go!" he cried.
"Stop, Joey, we're all through," said Polly.
"And it's time to go," said Ben.
"And send 'em to-night, do," said Joel, deserting his engine abruptly to
march up to the old lady.
"Oh, Joel!" cried Polly, much ashamed.
"And tell the boy who gets the pig to turn him upside down when the
squeak won't come," said Joel, nowise abashed.
"Come on, Joe," said Ben, picking his sleeve.
"Oh, wait a moment, Ben," said Madam Van Ruypen, laying a detaining hand
on his arm, as the others said good-by and filed downstairs to get coats
and hats on. "I think, myself, it might be advisable to add a few things
to wear to these presents, and I want you to go to-morrow afternoon with
me to choose them. Will you?"
And Ben said "Yes," quite overwhelmed with the thought. He was actually
going shopping with Madam Van Ruypen!
VI
BEN GOES SHOPPING WITH MADAM VAN RUYPEN
All the rest of the Peppers crowded up to the windows to watch Ben go
off in state in the Van Ruypen carriage, Phronsie climbing up on a chair
to see him the better. As for Ben himself, he was so amazed at the whole
thing, to think that he was by Madam Van Ruypen's side, and expected to
give his opinion as to matters and things, that for some minutes he had
all he could do to keep his attention on what she was saying.
"You see, Ben," at last he made out, "I don't know in the least what to
get for a boy, and if it were not for you, I shouldn't think of such a
thing as to pick out clothes for one. Well, here we are," as Carson drew
up to a large tailoring establishment. "We'll go in and do our best, but
it must be you who does the selecting."
Ben, with an awful feeling at his heart at all this responsibility,
stumbled after her as she marched down the long store, the salesmen all
vying with each other to attract her attention and wait upon her. She
didn't notice any of them, but kept on her way, her Roman nose and white
puffs of hair held well up, until at the end of the aisle a little
dapper man stepped up, rubbing his hands obsequiously together, and
stopped her progress.
"Anything I can show you, madam?" he said with a bow and a flourish.
Madam Van Ruypen looked him all over carelessly. "Oh, well, I suppose
you can; this boy here," she turned to Ben, "understands what I want.
Now then, Ben, speak up and tell the man, for I know nothing about it."
With that she looked around for a chair, which the little dapper man,
hurrying off, soon brought, and, sitting down, she drew up her stately
figure to its full height, and left Ben to his own devices.
"I suppose it must be a coat," began Ben. Oh, if Mamsie were only there!
Instead, was the big figure in the black silk coat, whose eyes had such
a way of boring right through one that it seemed to take the breath away
of the one being inspected.
"I suppose so," said the old lady, "as we have come for clothes; why, a
coat appears to be essential, and if I were to express an opinion, I
should consider that the rest of the suit would be a good investment,
too."
"Quite right," assented the shopman. "Now I will show you some. This
way, madam; here, stay, and I will move your chair."
"You will do nothing of the sort," said Madam Van Ruypen, shortly; "this
is not to be of my purchasing; this boy will attend to it for me. Ben,
you go along with the man and select the articles."
"Do you mean I'm to go without you, ma'am?" asked Ben, quite aghast at
the very idea, his blue eyes very wide.
"Of course," said the old lady, having hard work not to laugh; "I said
so, I believe."
"But, but--I may not pick out the right things," stammered Ben.
"I'll trust you," said Madam Van Ruypen, waving him off summarily. So as
there was nothing else to do, Ben followed the little man down what
seemed an interminable number of aisles, at last pausing before a set of
drawers, on either hand of which was a cabinet with doors.
"Now, here," said the salesman, swinging wide one of the doors, "is just
the thing. It's for yourself, I suppose," and he took down with a deft
hand a jacket and a pair of trousers.
"Oh, no, it isn't," Ben made haste to say, answering the question.
"Hey--oh!" the little man whirled around to stare at him,--"your brother
then?"
"No," said Ben, growing hot and red in the face. "It isn't for any of
us,--no one I know; she's going to give them away to some boy who--" he
was going to say "needs them," but the salesman shut off the words from
his mouth, and, clapping to the door, led the way off down another aisle
to a counter where the suits were piled high; "I've got just the very
thing for you here," he announced, twitching one out; "there, now, see
that."
"But that is much too nice," said Ben, putting his finger on the fine
goods, and wishing he were anywhere else in the world but in that store,
and the perspiration began to trickle in little drops down his face.
"So?" the salesman leaned his hands meditatively on the counter, and
surveyed him. "Well, I'll show you some other goods. Come this way," and
again they traversed some more aisles, took an elevator, and went up
what seemed to Ben a great many floors, at last coming out to a
department which, as far as the eye could see, was stacked with thick,
ready-made goods of serviceable materials.
"There," said the little man, giving quick, birdlike glances on either
side, and, at last pausing, he slapped his hand smartly down on a small
pile of suits, "is just the ticket for you."
"Yes," said Ben, and he ran his hand approvingly over the thick surface,
"I guess it is; it looks good."
"And it is good," said the salesman, emphatically; "it'll outwear three
of those other ones downstairs. We haven't but a few of these left. Now,
how big is the boy you want it for?"
"I don't know," said Ben, helplessly.
"Well, we've got to have something to go by," said the salesman; "of
course you can't buy at random and haphazard."
"She didn't say," said Ben, with a nod over in the direction supposed to
be where Madam Van Ruypen was waiting several floors below for the
transaction to be completed. "But she's going to give them to a boy," he
added desperately, "and so I guess I'll pick out the very best you have
for the money, and it'll be right. They'll fit some boy."
"Right you are," declared the salesman, delighted to have the matter
satisfactorily arranged, and, pulling out a coat and jacket, he held
them up before Ben's eyes. "Now that is the best money value we've got
in the store. Fact. We're closing them out. Couldn't afford to give 'em
at this low figure, but there's only these few left, and we don't allow
remnants to bother us long, no, sir." He rattled on so fast that Ben,
who was slowly going over the coat, which he had by this time gotten
into his own hands, in a close examination as to buttons and
buttonholes, only half heard him. Indeed, it wasn't in the least
necessary, for he hadn't held the garment for a moment before he knew
quite well that here was a good bargain, and one well fitted to warm
some poor boy, and to wear well.