IN THE GREAT KITCHEN
Still the band played on. The cavalcade paced round and round the
ring, while a hundred workmen--it seemed--swarmed to the repair of the
torn tent. Fortunately, the injured portion was that occupied as
dressing rooms and stables for the performers, so that few of the
audience suffered more than fright. Indeed, most of the spectators
realized as Mr. Winters had done, the danger of panic and the wisdom
of composure, so remained in their places.
Also, with the same suddenness that had marked its rising the storm
ended and the sun shone out. One mighty sigh of relief swept over
those crowded tiers of humanity, and the indefatigable band struck up
a new and livelier note. The tight-rope dancer sprang lightly into the
ring and went through her hazardous feats with smiling face and airy
self-confidence; the elephants ascended absurdly small stools, and
stood upon them, "lookin' terribly silly, as if they knew they were
makin' guys of themselves," so Mike Martin exclaimed, though he still
kept his fascinated eyes upon their every movement. There was the
usual bareback riding and jumping through rings: the trapeze, and the
pony quadrille; in short, all that could be expected of any well
conducted "Show," while above all and below all sounded the clown's
voice in a ceaseless clatter and cackle of nonsense.
Laughter and badinage, peanuts and pink lemonade; men and women turned
back to childhood, smiling at the foolishness enacted before them but
more at their own in thus enjoying it; and the "Learned Blacksmith"
who had pondered many books finding this company around him the most
interesting study of them all.
It was this that he loved about a circus; and, to-day, at their first
one, the faces of Ananias and Sapphira held his gaze enthralled.
"Dolly, Dolly Doodles! Do watch them!" he cried for sympathy in his
delight. "Did ever you see eyes so bright? Mouths so wide agape? and
happiness so intense! Ah! if those to whom they belong could see them
now, all hardness would vanish in a flash!"
Dorothy looked as he desired, but her glance was less of admiration
than of anxiety. She had seen what he did not see and was hearing what
he did not; a face and figure somberly different from the tri-colored
one of the clown, and a voice more raucously insistent than his.
All at once the twins also saw and heard. Their attention was
clutched, as it were, from those adorable monkeys a-horseback, which
had come once more to the very spot before where they stood, and whom
in their baby-souls they envied frantically.
"HIM!" shrieked Ananias.
"H-I-M!" echoed Sapphira, all her pretty pink-and-whiteness turned the
pallor of fear.
There was a flash of bare feet and blue-denimed legs and the terrified
twins had leaped the velvet-topped barrier bordering the ring and were
scurrying heedlessly away, how and where they cared not except to be
safe from that "Him" whose memory was a pain.
"My soul! They'll be killed--the little rascals!" cried Jim, and
leaped the barrier, in pursuit.
"He can't catch 'em! I'll help!" and fat Monty rolled himself over the
fence.
"What's up, boys?" demanded Frazer Moore; and, perceiving, added
himself to the rescuing party. Ditto, Mike; then Littlejohn and Danny.
This was the chance of a lifetime! to be themselves "performers." Only
Melvin and Herbert rose, hesitating, amazed--and, seeing the little
ones, whom everybody tried to catch and who eluded every grasp, in
such imminent peril of trampling horse-hoofs, they also followed the
leader.
Even Mr. Winters rose to his feet and watched in deep anxiety the
outcome of this escapade, and the darting nimbleness of two small
figures which everybody, from the ring-master down, was chasing like
mad. Only the trained horsemen and their following troupe of monkeys
kept on unmindful; while from the seats on every side ran shouts of
laughter. To most of those onlookers this seemed a part, a
delightfully arranged part, of the entertainment. Only those nearest,
and the farrier was one of them, realized that the strange old man
with the croaking voice was an alien to that scene. A half-crazed old
man who felt called upon to deliver his "message" of warning to a
sinful world, at all times, seasons, and places. He had stumbled upon
this as a fine field and, unbalanced though his mind was, it had yet
been clear enough for him to purchase a ticket and enter in the
customary way.
"Oh! will he take the twins away?" asked Dorothy, clasping her hands
in dismay. "And will they--be--killed!"
"I think not, to both questions. Evidently he has not perceived the
children though they were quick enough to discover him. The pity! that
one should inspire such fear in his own household! But, see! See!"
Mr. Winters forgot the old exhorter for the moment and laughed aloud.
In the ring the clown had, at first, pretended to join in the pursuit
of the nimble runaways, but only pretended. Then he suddenly perceived
that they were growing breathless and had almost fallen beneath the
feet of a mighty Norman horse. The man beneath his motley uniform rose
to the emergency. Catching the bridle of a near-by pony, he flung the
monkey from its back, scooped the babies up from the ground, set them
in the monkey's place and, mounting behind them, triumphantly fell
into line.
It was all so quickly done that its bravery was but half appreciated;
and the absurdly grinning mask which he now waggled from side to side,
as if bowing to an outburst of applause, roused a roar of laughter. As
for Ananias and Sapphira--their felicity was complete. The stern
grandparent was forgotten and the only fact they knew was this
marvelous ride on a marvelous steed, and most marvelous of all, in the
friendly grasp of the tri-colored person behind them.
Mr. Winters turned from them for a moment, at the sound of a scuffle
near by. An instant's glance showed him that the poor fanatic was
being roughly handled by some employees of the circus, and he stepped
forward protesting:
"Don't do that! He'll go quietly enough if you just ask him. He's a
feeble old man--be gentle!"
"But we want no 'cranks' in here creating a disturbance! Enough has
happened this performance, already!"
[Illustration: THE TWINS AND CLOWN ON THE SHETLAND PONY.
_Dorothy's House Party._]
"Jim! James Barlow! Herbert Montaigne!" These two were the only ones
left still in the ring of the lot who had pursued the runaway twins,
the others having shamefacedly retreated as soon as they saw the
children were safe. They looked toward the Master yet lingered to
receive the twins whom their captor was now willing to resign; they
struggling to remain and a mixed array of flying legs and arms
resulting.
However, neither screams nor obstreperous kicks availed to prolong
that delectable ride, and presently the little ones found themselves
back in the grasp of a bevy of girls who made a human fence about
them, and so hedged them in to safety.
"Lads, I must leave you to see our girls safe home. Do so immediately
the performance is over and it must be nearly now. This poor old chap
is ill and bemused by his rough handling. I'm going to take him to a
hospital I know and have him cared for. I'll go down to Deerhurst as
soon as I can but don't wait for me. Come, friend. Let us go;" and
linking his strong arm within the weak one of the man, scarce older
yet so much frailer than he, he walked quietly away, the fanatic
unresisting and obedient.
With the Master's departure the glamour faded from the "Show"; and at
Helena's suggestion the whole party promptly made their exit.
"It's a wise move, too, Helena. We can catch the five o'clock train
down and it won't be crowded, as the later one will be. I fancy we've
all had about all the circus we want--this time. Anybody got a rope?"
said Herbert.
"What in the world do you want of a rope?" asked his sister.
"I think if we could tie these irrepressibles together we could better
keep track of them."
There were some regretful looks backward to that fascinating tent,
when the older lads had marshalled their party outwards, with no
difficulty now in passing the obstructing stile; but there were no
objections raised, and the homeward trip began. But they had scarcely
cleared the grounds when Molly Martin paused to ask:
"Where's Jane Potter?"
"Oh! hang Jane Potter! Is she lost again?" asked Danny Smith. Then
with a happy thought, adding: "I'll go back and look for her!" In this
way hoping for a second glimpse of the fairy-land he had been forced
to leave.
Whereupon, his brother reminded him that he had no ticket, and no
fellow gets in twice on one. Besides, that girl isn't--Hmm.
"She's probably lingered to study biology or--or something about
animals," observed Monty. "Any way, we can afford to risk Jane Potter.
Like enough we shall find her sitting on the piazza writing her
impressions of a circus when we get home."
They did. She had early tired of the entertainment and had been one of
the first to leave the tent after the accident to it. Once outside,
she had met a mountain neighbor and had begged a ride home in his
wagon. Jane was one to be careful of Jane and rather thoughtless of
others, yet in the main a very good and proper maiden.
But if they did not delay on account of Jane they were compelled to do
so by the twins.
"These children are as slippery as eels," said Molly, who had never
touched an eel. "I'll lend my 'son' to anybody wants him, for awhile.
I'd--I'd as lief as not!" she finished, quoting an expression familiar
to Alfy.
"And I'll lend 'Phira!" added Dorothy.
She had tried to lead the little one and still keep her arm about
Luna, who by general consent was always left to her charge.
"All right. Give her here!" said Frazer; while Herbert whistled for a
waiting stage to approach. But as it drew near and the girls began to
clamber in, preparatory to their ride stationwards, Ananias jerked
himself free and springing to one side the road began a series of
would-be somersaults. It was an effort on his part to follow Herbert's
instructions--with doubtful success. Of course, what brother did
sister must do, and Sapphira promptly emulated her twin.
"Oh! the mud! Just look at them! How can we ever take them in that
stage with us?" asked Mabel Bruce, in disgust.
But the happy youngsters paid no attention to her. Having completed
what Herbert had taught them to call their "stunt" they now approached
their instructor and demanded:
"Candy, what you promised!"
"All right. Driver, we'll stop at the first confectioner's we pass and
I'll fill them up."
"But, Herbert, you should not. Don't you remember how ill they were
from Molly's supply? And I do say, if you led them into this scrape,
getting themselves in such a mess, you'll have to ride in front and
keep them with you."
Herbert made a wry face. He was always extremely careful in his dress
and his sister's just suggestion wasn't pleasant. However, he made the
best of it and no further untoward incident marked that day's outing.
Arrived at home they found Jane calmly reading, as has been told, and
no other one about except old Ephraim, who had not unfastened the
doors for "jes one l'il gal," but now threw them wide for the "House
Party." Then he retreated to the kitchen, where Dorothy found him
stirring about in a vain attempt to get supper--a function out of his
line.
"Now, Ephy, dear, you can't do that, you know! You're a blessed old
blunderer, but one doesn't boil water for tea in a leaky coffee-pot!
Wait! I'll tell you! I'll call the girls and we'll make a 'bee' of it
and get the supper ourselves, before Aunt Malinda and Dinah and the
rest get back. They'll be sure to stay till the last----"
"Till the 'last man is hung'!" finished Alfaretta, with prompt
inelegance.
"Oh! I'm just starving!" wailed a boyish voice, and Monty rushed in.
"So are we all, so are we all!" cried others and the kitchen rang with
the youthful, merry voices.
Ephraim scratched his gray wool and tried to look stern, but Dorothy's
"Ephy, dear!" had gone straight to his simple heart, so lately wounded
and sorrowful. After all, the world wasn't such a dark place, even if
he had missed the circus, now that all these chatterers were treating
him just as of old. They were so happy, themselves, that their
happiness overflowed upon him.
Cried Jim Barlow, laying a friendly hand on the black man's shoulder:
"Come on, Ephy, boy! If the girls are going to make a 'bee,' and get
supper for all hands--including the cook--let's match them by doing
the chores for the men. The 'help' have done a lot for us, these days,
and it's fair we do a hand's-turn for them now! Come on, all! Monty,
you shall throw down fodder for the cattle--it's all you're equal to.
Some of us will milk, some take care of the horses, everybody must do
something, and I appoint Danny Smith to be story-teller-in-chief, and
describe that circus so plain that Ephraim can see it without the
worry of going!"
"Hip, hip, hooray! Let's make a lark of it!" echoed Herbert, now
forgetful of his good clothes and eager only to bear his part with the
rest.
"Well, before we begin, let's get the twins each a bowl of bread and
milk and tie them in their chairs, just as Dinah does when they
bother. They mustn't touch that candy till afterward, though I don't
know how Herbert ever kept it from them so long," said Molly
Breckenridge, adjusting a kitchen apron to her short figure by tucking
it into her belt.
"I know! I sat on it!" called back the lad and disappeared barnwards.
Luna was placed in her corner and given a bowl like the twins, and the
girls set to work, even Jane Potter asking to help.
"What all shall we cook? I can make fudges," said Molly.
"Fudges are all right--you may make some, but I want something better
than sweets. Helena, you're the oldest, you begin. Suggest--then
follow your suggestions. Fortunately we've a pretty big range to work
on and Ephraim can make a fire if he can't make tea. It's burning
fine. Hurry up, Helena, and speak, else Alfaretta will explode. She's
impatient enough," urged Dorothy.
"Once--I made angel food," said Helena, rather timidly. "It didn't
turn out a real success, but I think that was because I didn't use
eggs enough."
"How many did you use?"
"A dozen."
"Try a dozen and a half. There's a basket of them yonder in the
storeroom and everybody must wait on everybody's self. Else we'll
never get through. I'll light up, it's getting dark already," answered
Dorothy who, as hostess, was naturally considered director of affairs.
"Well, Alfy! What will you do?"
"I can fry chicken to beat the Dutch!"
"Hope you can," laughed Helena. "I'm not fond of Dutch cookery, I've
tried it abroad. They put vinegar in everything."
"But where will you get chicken to fry?"
"There's a whole slew of them in the ice-box, all ready fixed to cook.
I suppose Aunt Malinda won't like it, to have me take them, if she's
planned them for some other time, but there's plenty more chickens in
the world. Come along, Jane Potter, and get a pan of potatoes to peel.
That's the sitting-downest job there is. Molly Martin, you can make
nice raised--I mean bakin'-powder biscuit--there's the flour barrel.
Don't waste any time. Everybody fly around sharp and do her level
best!"
After all it was Alfaretta who took charge, and under her capable
direction every girl was presently busy at work.
"I'm going to make pies. Two lemons, two punkins, two apples. That
ought to be enough to go around; only they'll all want the lemon ones.
'Christ Church,' Teacher told me when I made him one once. Said 'twas
the pastry cook at Christ Church College, in England, 't first thought
them out. I can make 'em good, too. What you goin' to make, yourself,
Dorothy Calvert?"
"I reckon--pop-overs. Mother Martha used to make them lovely. They're
nothing but eggs and flour and--and--I'll have to think. Oh! I know.
There's an old recipe book in the cupboard, though I don't believe
Malinda can read a word in it. She just spreads it out on the table,
important like, and pretends she follows its rules, but often I've
seen it was upside down. Do you know how she makes jelly?"
"No, nor don't want to. We ain't makin' jelly to-night, and do for
goodness' sake get to work!" cried Alfaretta, imparting energy to all
by her own activity. "Ma says I'm a born cook and I'm going to prove
it, to-night, though I don't expect to cook for a living. Jane Potter,
you ought to know better than peel them 'tatoes so thick. 'Many
littles make a mickle,' I mean a lot of potato skins make a
potato--Oh! bother, do right, that's all. Just because Mrs. Calvert
she's a rich 'ristocratic, 'tain't no reason we should waste her
substance on the pigs."
Jane did not retort, but it was noticeable that thereafter she kept
her eyes more closely on her work and not dreamily upon the floor.
Presently, from out that roomy kitchen rose a medley of odors that
floated even to the workers out of doors; each odor most appetizing
and distinct to the particular taste of one or another of the lads.
"That's fried chicken! Glad they had sense enough to give us something
hearty," said Monty, smacking his lips.
Herbert sniffed, then advised: "I'll warrant you that Helena will try
angel cake. If she does, don't any of you touch it; or if you think
that isn't polite and will hurt her feelings, why take a piece and
leave it lie beside your plate. Wonder if they'll ever get the supper
ready, anyhow."
"Afraid it'll be just 'anyhow,'" wailed Monty. "Those girls can't cook
worth a cent."
"Don't you think that, sir. Our up-mountain girls are no fools. I hope
Alfaretta Babcock will make pies, I've et 'em to picnics and they're
prime," said Mike Martin, loyally.
"Well, I only hope they don't keep us too long. I begin to feel as if
I could eat hay with the cattle."
After all, the young cooks were fairly successful, and the delay not
very great. Most of them were well trained helpers at home, even
Dorothy had been such; but this time she had failed.
"Three times I've made those things just exactly like the rule--only
four times as much--and those miserable pop-overs just will not pop!
We might as well call the boys and give them what there is. And----"
At this moment Dorothy withdrew her head from a careful scrutiny of
the oven, and--screamed! The next instant she had darted forward to
the imposing figure framed in the doorway and thrown her arms about
it, crying:
"O, Aunt Betty, Aunt Betty! I'm a bad, careless girl, but I love you
and I'm so glad, so glad you've come!"