Can't
we, Grandpapa?"
"All you want to," promised Grandpapa, recklessly, and only too
thankful to have something proposed for a diversion. "The very thing,"
he added enthusiastically. "Now, Polly and Phronsie, run and tell all
the others to get ready, just as fast as they can, and we'll be off.
Goodness me, Jasper, what makes you run into a room in this fashion?"
"I've found him!" exclaimed Jasper, dashing in, and tossing his cap on
the table, and his dark hair back from his forehead. "And he's all
right--as straight as a die," he panted.
"Now what in the world are you talking of?" demanded his father, in
extreme irritation. "Can't you make a plain statement, and enlighten us
without all this noise and confusion, pray tell?"
Polly, who had Phronsie's hand in hers, just ready to run off, stood
quite still with glowing cheek.
"Oh, I do believe--Grandpapa--it is--it is!"--she screamed suddenly--"your
poor man! Isn't it, Jasper--isn't it?" she cried, turning to him.
"Yes, Polly," said Jasper, still panting from his run up the stairs;
"and do hurry, father, and see for yourself; and we'll all go to him.
I'll tell you all about it on the way."
When Mr. King comprehended that the man was found, and that he was "all
right," as Jasper vehemently repeated over and over, he communicated
that fact to Phronsie, whose delight knew no bounds, and in less time
than it takes to write it, Tom, who was the only one of the party to be
collected on such short notice, had joined them, and they were bowling
along in a big carriage, Jasper as guide, to the spot where the man was
waiting.
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