"Well, she's got a letter," said the postmaster, holding up a nice big envelope, looking just like those that Ben had so many times wished for. That magic piece of white paper danced before the boy's eyes for a minute; then he said-- "It can't be for her, Mr. Atkins; why, she's never had one." "Well, she's got one now, sure enough," said Mr. Atkins; "here 'tis, plain enough," and he read what he had no need to study much as it had already passed examination by his own and his wife's faithful eyes: "Miss Polly Pepper, near the Turnpike, Badgertown'--that's her, isn't it?" he added, laying it down before Ben's eyes. "Must be a first time for everything, you know, my boy!" and he laughed long over his own joke; "so take it and run along home." For Ben still stood looking at it, and not offering to stir.
"If you say so," said the boy, as if Mr. Atkins had given him something out of his own pocket; "but I'm afraid 'tisn't for Polly."Then buttoning up the precious letter in his jacket, he spun along home as never before.
"Polly! Polly!" he screamed. "Where is she, mother?""I don't know," said Mrs. Pepper, coming out of the bedroom.
"Dear me! is anybody hurt, Ben?"
"I don't know," said Ben, in a state to believe anything, "but Polly's got a letter.""Polly got a letter!" cried Mrs. Pepper; "what do you mean, Ben?""I don't know," repeated the boy, still holding out the precious letter; "but Mr. Atkins gave it to me; where is Polly?""I know where she is," said Joel; "she's up-stairs." And he flew out in a twinkling, and just as soon reappeared with Polly scampering after him in the wildest excitement.
And then the kitchen was in an uproar as the precious missive was put into Polly's hand; and they all gathered around her, wondering and examining, till Ben thought he would go wild with the delay.
"I wonder where it did come from," said Polly, in the greatest anxiety, examining again the address.
"Where does the postmark say?" asked Mrs. Pepper, looking over her shoulder.
"It's all rubbed out," said Polly, peering at it "you can't see anything.""Do open it," said Ben, "and then you'll find out.""But p'raps 'tisn't for me," said Polly, timidly.
"Well, Mr. Atkins says 'tis," said Ben, impatiently; "here, I'll open it for you, Polly.""No, let her open it for herself, Ben," protested his mother.
"But she won't," said Ben; "do tear it open, Polly.""No, I'm goin' to get a knife," she said.
"I'll get one," cried Joel, running up to the table drawer; "here's one, Polly.""Oh, dear," groaned Ben; "you never'll get it open at this rate!"But at last it was cut; and they all holding their breath, gazed awe-struck, while Polly drew out the mysterious missive.
"What does it say?" gasped Mrs. Pepper.
"Dear Miss Polly," began both Ben and Polly in a breath. "Let Polly read," said Joel, who couldn't hear in the confusion.
"Well, go on Polly," said Ben; "hurry!"
"Dear Miss Polly, I was so sorry I couldn't come on Thursday' "--"Oh, it's Jasper! it's Jasper!" cried all the children in a breath.
"I told you so!" cried Ben and Polly, perfectly delighted to find their friend vindicated fully--"there! Joey Pepper!""Well, I don't care," cried Joe, nothing daunted, "he didn't come, anyway--do go on, Polly.""I was so sorry I couldn't come' "--began Polly.
"You read that," said Joel.
"I know it," said Polly, "but it's just lovely; 'on Thursday; but my father was sick, and I couldn't leave him. If you don't mind I'll come again--I mean I'll come some other day, if it's just as convenient for you, for I do so want the baking, and the nice time.
I forgot to say that I had a cold, to,' (here Jasper had evidently had a struggle in his mind whether there should be two 0's or one, and he had at last decided it, by crossing out one) but my father is willing I should come when I get well. Give my love to all, and especially remember me respectfully to your mother. Your friend, JASPER ELYOT KING.""Oh, lovely! lovely!" cried Polly, flying around with the letter in her hand; "so he is coming!"Ben was just as wild as she was, for no one knew but Polly just how the new friend had stepped into his heart. Phronsie went to sleep happy, hugging "Baby.""And don't you think, Baby, dear," she whispered sleepily, and Polly heard her say as she was tucking her in, "that Japser is really comin'; really--and the big, be-you-ti-ful doggie, too!"
