Frank, and let’s have a lark.”
No sooner said than done. Gus took the tarts, Joe the doughnuts,
Ed the jelly, and Frank suggested “spoons all round” for the Italian
cream. A few trifles in the way of custard, fruit, and wafer biscuits
were not worth mentioning; but every dish was soon emptied, and
Jack said, as he surveyed the scene of devastation with great
satisfaction,
“Call again to-morrow, gentlemen, and we will have another bout.
Free lunches at ~ P.M. till further notice. Now tell me all the
news.”
For half an hour, five tongues went like mill clappers, and there is
no knowing when they would have stopped if the little bell had not
suddenly rung with a violence that made them jump.
“That’s Jill; see what she wants, Frank”; and while his brother sent
off the basket, Jack told about the new invention, and invited his
mates to examine and admire.
They did so, and shouted with merriment when the next despatch
from Jill arrived. A pasteboard jumping-jack, with one leg done up
in cotton-wool to preserve the likeness, and a great lump of
molasses candy in a brown paper, with accompanying note:
“Dear Sir-I saw the boys go in, and know you are having a nice
time, so I send over the candy Molly Loo and Merry brought me.
Mammy says I can’t eat it, and it will all melt away if I keep it.
Also a picture of Jack Minot, who will dance on one leg and
waggle the other, and make you laugh. I wish I could come, too.
Don’t you hate grewel? I’do. In haste,
J.P. ”
“Let’s all send her a letter,” proposed Jack, and out came pens, ink,
paper, and the lamp, and everyone fell to scribbling. A droll
collection was the result, for Frank drew a picture of the fatal fall
with broken rails flying in every direction, Jack with his head
swollen to the size of a balloon, and Jill in two pieces, while the
various boys and girls were hit off with a sly skill that gave Gus
legs like a stork, Molly Loo hair several yards long, and Boo a
series of visible howls coming out of an immense mouth in the
shape of o s. The oxen were particularly good, for their horns
branched like those of the moose, and Mr. Grant had a patriarchal
beard which waved in the breeze as he bore the wounded girl to a
sled very like a funeral pyre, the stakes being crowned with big
mittens like torches.
“You ought to be an artist. I never saw such a dabster as you are.
That’s the very moral of Joe, all in a bunch on the fence, with a
blot to show how purple his nose was,” said Gus, holding up the
sketch for general criticism and admiration.
“I’d rather have a red nose than legs like a grasshopper; so you
needn’t twit, Daddy,” growled Joe, quite unconscious that a blot
actually did adorn his nose, as he labored over a brief despatch.
The boys enjoyed the joke, and one after the other read out his
message to the captive lady:
“Dear Jill-Sorry you ain’t here. Great fun. Jack pretty lively. Laura
and Lot would send love if they knew of the chance. Fly round and
get well.
Gus”
“Dear Gilliflower-Hope you are pretty comfortable in your
‘dungeon cell. Would you like a serenade when the moon comes?
Hope you will soon be up again, for we miss you very much. Shall
be very happy to help in anyway I can. Love to your mother. Your
true friend,
E.D.”
“Miss Pecq.
“Dear Madam-I am happy to tell you that we are all well, and hope
you are the same. I gave Jem Cox a licking because he went to
your desk. You had better send for your books. You won’t have to
pay for the sled or the fence. Jack says he will see to it. We have
been having a spread over here. First-rate things. I wouldn’t mind
breaking a leg, if I had such good grub and no chores to do. No
more now, from yours, with esteem,
Joseph P. Flint”