CHAPTER XVIII
MRS. GRAY'S CHRISTMAS CHILDREN
"If this isn't like old times, then nothing ever will be!" exclaimedDavid Nesbit, beaming on Anne Pierson, who was busy pouring tea for the"Eight Originals" in Mrs. Gray's comfortable library.
"Old times!" exclaimed Hippy Wingate, accepting his teacup with aflourish that threatened to send its contents into the lap of NoraO'Malley, who sat beside him on the big leather davenport. "It takes meback to the days when I had only to lift my hand and say, 'Table,prepare thyself,' and some one of these fair damsels immediately invitedme to a banquet. Gone are the days when I waxed fat and prosperous. NowI am thin and pale, a victim of adversity."
"I think you look stouter than ever," declared Nora cruelly. "You sayyou have lost ten pounds, but--" she shrugged her shoulderssignificantly.
"Cruel, cruel," moaned Hippy. "It is sad to see such callousedinhumanity in one so young. Pass me the cakes, Anne, the chocolatecovered ones. They, at least, will afford me sweet consolation."
"I object," interposed Reddy Brooks. "Don't give him that plate. Handhim one or two, Anne. I like the looks of those cakes, too."
"Man, do you mean to insinuate that I am not what I seem?" demandedHippy, glaring belligerently at Reddy.
"No, I am stating plainly that you are exactly what you seem. That's whyI am looking out for my share of the cakes."
"Always prompted by selfish motives," deplored Hippy. "How thankful I amthat the sweet blossom of unselfishness blooms freely in my heart. It istrue that I would eat all the cakes on that plate, but from a purelyunselfish motive."
"Let's hear the motive," jeered Tom Gray.
"I would eat them all," replied Hippy gently, favoring the company withone of his famously wide smiles, "to save you, my beloved friends, fromindigestion. It is better that I should bear your suffering."
"Thank you," retorted David Nesbit dryly, helping himself to the covetedcakes and passing the plate over Hippy's head to Mrs. Gray, "I prefer todo my own suffering."
"Oh, as you like," returned Hippy airily. "I have always been fonder ofMrs. Gray than I can say." He sidled ingratiatingly toward where Mrs.Gray sat, her cheeks pink with the excitement of having her Christmaschildren with her.
From the time Grace, Miriam and Anne stepped off the train into thewaiting arms of their dear ones, their vacation had been a season ofcontinued rejoicing. Mrs. Gray, who, Tom gravely declared, wouldcelebrate her twenty-fifth birthday next April, was tireless in herefforts to make their brief stay in Oakdale a happy one. On Christmasnight she had gathered them in and given them a dinner and a tree. Shehad also given a luncheon in honor of Anne and a large party on NewYear's night. It was now the evening after New Year's and the morningtrain would take the boys back to college. Grace, Miriam and Anne wouldleave a day later for Overton. Nora and Jessica were to remain inOakdale until the following week. It seemed only natural that theyshould spend their last evening together at the home of their oldfriend. Outside the "Eight Originals," Miriam had been the only oneinvited to this last intimate gathering.
"Now, Hippy, stick to the truth," commanded Mrs. Gray, shaking herfinger at him, but handing him the plate at the same time. Hippy swoopeddown upon it with a gurgle of delight.
"It's the truth. I swear it," he declared, holding up one fat hand inwhich he clutched a cake.
"What made you give him the plate, Aunt Rose?" asked Tom reproachfully.
"Bless you, child, there are plenty of cakes. Let Hippy have as many ashe can eat."
"Vindicated," chuckled Hippy, between cakes, "and given full possessionbesides."
"I wouldn't be so greedy," sniffed Nora O'Malley.
"I'm so glad. I dislike greedy little girls," retorted Hippypatronizingly.
"Stop squabbling," interposed Grace. "Here we are on the eve ofseparation and yet you two are bickering as energetically as when youfirst caught sight of each other two weeks ago. Did you ever agree onany subject?"
"Let me see," said Hippy. "Did we, Nora?"
"Never," replied Nora emphatically.
"Then, let's begin now," suggested Hippy hopefully. "If you will agreealways to agree with me I will agree--"
"Thank you, but I can't imagine myself as ever being so foolish,"interrupted Nora loftily.
"She spoke the truth," said Hippy sadly. "We never can agree. It isbetter that we should part. Will you think of me, when I am gone? Thatis the burning question. Will you, won't you, can you, can't youremember me?" He beamed sentimentally on Nora, who beamed on him inreturn, at the same time making almost imperceptible signs to Grace tocapture the plate of cakes, of which Hippy was still in possession. Inhis efforts to be impressive, Hippy had, for the moment, forgotten thecakes. But he was not to be caught napping. The instant Grace made a slymovement toward the plate it was whisked from under her fingers.
"Naughty, naughty, mustn't touch!" he exclaimed, eyeing Gracereprovingly.
"Let him alone, girls, and come over here," broke in David Nesbit. "Heonly does these things to make himself the center of attraction. Hewants all the attention."
"Ha," jeered Hippy exultantly. "David thinks that crushing remark willfill me with such overwhelming shame that I shall drop the cakes andretire to a distant corner. He little knows what manner of man I am. Iwill defend my rights until not a vestige of doubt remains as to who iswho in Oakdale."
"There is not a vestige of doubt in my mind as to what will happen inabout ten seconds if certain people don't mend their ways," threatenedReddy, rising from his chair, determination in his eye.
"Take the cakes, Grace," entreated Hippy, hastily shoving the plate intoGrace's hand. "Nora, protect me. Don't let him get me. Please, mister, Ihaven't any cakes. I gave them all to a poor, miserable beggar who--"
"Here, Reddy, you may have them," broke in Grace decisively. "It is badenough to have an unpleasant duty thrust upon one, but to be callednames!"
"I never did, never," protested Hippy. "It was a mere figure of speech.Didn't you ever hear of one?"
"Not that kind, and you can't have the cakes, again," said Jessicafirmly. "Give them to me, Grace."
"Jessica always helps Reddy," grumbled Hippy. "Now, if Nora would onlystand up for me, we could manage this whole organization with one hand.She is such a splendid fighter--"
"I'll never speak to you again, Hippy Wingate," declared Nora, turningher back on him with a final air of dismissal.
"Gently, gently!" exclaimed Hippy, raising his hand in expostulation. "Iwas about to say that you, Nora, are a splendid fighter"--he pausedsignificantly--"for the right. What can be more noble than to fight forthe right? Now, aren't you sorry you repudiated me? If you will say soimmediately I will overlook the other remark. But you must be quick.Time and I won't wait a minute. Remember, I'm going away to-morrow."
"Good-bye," retorted Nora indifferently. "I'll see you again some day."
"'Forsaken, forsaken, forsaken am I,'" wailed Hippy, hopelessly out oftune.
"Now, see what you've done," commented David Nesbit disgustedly.
"I'm truly sorry," apologized Nora. "Hippy, if you will stop singing,I'll forgive you and allow you to sit beside me." She patted thedavenport invitingly.
"I thought you would," grinned Hippy, seating himself triumphantlybeside her. "I always gain my point by singing that song. It appeals topeople. It is so pathetic. They would give worlds to--"
"Have you stop it," supplemented Tom Gray.
"Yes," declared Hippy. "No, I don't mean 'yes' at all. Tom Gray is anunfeeling monster. I refuse to say another word. I have subsided. Now,may I have some more tea?"
Anne filled the stout young man's cup and handed it to him with a smile."What are you going to be when you grow up, Hippy?" she askedmischievously.
"A brakeman," replied Hippy promptly. "I always did like to ride ontrains. That's why I am spending four years in college."
"Don't waste your breath on him, Anne," advised Nora. "He won't tell anyone what he intends to do. I've asked him a h
undred times. He knows,too. He really isn't as foolish as he looks."
"I'm going to try for a position in the Department of Forestry atWashington after I get through college," announced Tom Gray.
"I'm going into business with my father," declared Reddy.
"I don't know yet what my work will be," said David Nesbit reflectively.
"All you children will be famous one of these days," predicted Mrs. Graysagely. She had been listening delightedly to the merry voices of theyoung people. To her, as well as to his young friends, Hippy was anever-failing source of amusement.
"To choose a profession is easier for boys than for girls," declaredGrace. "I haven't the slightest idea what I shall do after my collegedays are over. Most boys enter college with their minds made up as towhat their future work is going to be, but very few girls decide untilthe last minute."
"Girls whose parents can afford to send them to college don't have todecide, as a rule," said Nora wisely, "but almost every young man thinksabout it from the first, no matter how much money his father is worth."
"That is true, my dear," nodded Mrs. Gray.
"Yet I am sure my girls as well as my boys will astonish the world someday. In fact, Anne has already proved her mettle. Nora hopes to become agreat singer, Jessica a pianiste and Grace and Miriam--"
"Are still floundering helplessly, trying to discover their respectivevocations," supplemented Grace.
"Yes, Mrs. Gray," smiled Miriam, "our future careers are shrouded inmystery."
"Time enough yet," said Mrs. Gray cheerily. "Going to college doesn'tnecessitate adopting a profession, you know. Perhaps when your collegedays are over you will find your vocation very near home."
"Perhaps," assented Grace doubtfully, "only I'd like to 'do noble deeds,not dream them all day long,'" she quoted laughingly.
"'And so make life, death and the vast forever One grand sweet song,'"
finished Anne softly.
"That is what I shall do when I am a brakeman," declared Hippyconfidently.
"You mean you will make life miserable for every one who comes within amile of you," jeered Reddy Brooks.
"Reddy, how can you thus ruthlessly belittle my tenderest hope, myfondest ambitions? What do you know about my future career as abrakeman? I intend to be touchingly faithful to my duty, kind andconsiderate to the public. In time the world will hear of me and I shallbe honored and revered."
"Which you never would be at home," put in David sarcastically.
"What great man is ever appreciated in his own country?" questionedHippy gently.
Even Reddy was obliged to smile at this retort.
"Let the future take care of itself," said Tom Gray lazily. "The nightis yet young. Let us do stunts. Grace and Miriam must do their Spanishdance for us. Then it will be Nora's and Jessica's turn. Hippy can sing,nothing sentimental, though. David, Reddy, Hippy and I will then enactfor you a stirring drama of metropolitan life entitled 'Oakdale's GreatMystery,' with the eminent actor, Theophilus Hippopotamus Wingate as the'Mystery.' Let the show begin. We will have the Spanish dance first."
"Come on, Miriam," laughed Grace. "We had better be obliging. Then weshall be admitted to the rest of the performance."
The impromptu "show" that followed was a repetition of the "stunts" forwhich the various members of the little circle were famous and whichwere always performed for Mrs. Gray's pleasure. "Oakdale's GreatMystery," of which Hippy calmly admitted the authorship, proved to be aridiculous travesty on a melodrama which the boys had seen the previouswinter. Hippy as the much-vaunted Mystery, with a handkerchief mask, asweeping red portiere cloak, and an ultra-mysterious shuffle wasreceived with shrieks of laughter by the audience. The dramatic mannerin which, after a series of humorous complications, the Mystery was runto earth and unmasked by "Deadlock Jones, the King of Detectives," wasportrayed by David with "startling realism" and elicited loud applause.
"That is the funniest farce you boys have ever given," laughed Mrs.Gray, as Hippy removed his mask with a loud sigh of relief and wiped hisperspiring forehead with it. "You will be a playwright some day, Hippy."
"I'd rather be a brakeman," persisted Hippy with his Cheshire cat grin.
It was half-past ten o'clock when the last good night had been said andthe young people were on their way home. As the Nesbit residence was sonear Mrs. Gray's home, Miriam was escorted to her door by a merry bodyguard. At Putnam Square the little company halted for a moment beforeseparating, Nora, Jessica, Hippy and Reddy going in one direction,Grace, Anne, Tom and David in the other.
"Are you coming down to the train to-morrow morning to see us off?"asked David Nesbit, his question including the four girls.
"Of course," replied Grace. "Don't we always see you off on the trainwhenever you go back to school before we do?"
"Then we'll reserve our sad farewells until the morn," beamed Hippy.
"Sad farewells!" exclaimed Nora scornfully. "I never yet saw you looksad over saying good-bye to us. You always smile at the last minute asthough you were going to a picnic."
"'Tis only to hide my sorrow, my child," returned Hippy lugubriously."Would'st have the whole town look upon my tears and jeer, 'cry baby'?"
"That's a very good excuse," sniffed Nora.
"Not an excuse," corrected Hippy, "but a cloak to hide my realfeelings."
"That will do, Hippopotamus," cut in David decisively. "We don't wish tohear the whys and wherefores of your feelings. If we stayed to listen tothem we would be here on this very spot when our train leaves to-morrowmorning."
"Wait until we come back for Easter, Hippy, then if you begin the firstday you're home you'll finish before we go back to college," suggestedGrace.
"That's a good idea," declared Hippy joyfully. "I shall remember it, andlook forward to the Easter vacation."
"I shan't come home for Easter, then," decided Nora mercilessly.
"Then I shan't look forward to anything," replied Hippy with suchearnestness that even scornful Nora forgot to retort sharply.
"We all hope to be together again at Easter," said Grace, lookingaffectionately from one to the other of the little group. "Remember,every one, your good resolution about letters."
"We'll talk about that in the morning," laughed Reddy, who abhorredletter writing.
"You mean you'll forget about it," said Jessica significantly.
"We all have our faults," mourned Hippy. "Now, as for myself--"
"Take him away, Nora," begged David.
"I will," agreed Nora. "Come on, Hippy. Reddy, you and Jessica help metear him away from this corner."
"How can you tear me away now? At the precise moment when I had begun toenjoy myself, too?" reproached Hippy.
"This is only the beginning," was Reddy's threatening answer. "We aregoing to leave you stranded on the next corner. Then you can go onenjoying yourself alone."
"Try it," dared Hippy. "If you do I shall lift up my voice and telleveryone in this block how unfeeling and hard-hearted some persons are.I shall mention names in my most stentorian tones and the public willrush forth from their houses to hear the truth about you. Ah, here isthe corner! Now, leave me at your peril."
"His mind is wandering," said Reddy sadly. "He imagines he is still'Oakdale's Great Mystery.' We had better lead him home. I'll take hisleft arm, and Nora----"
"Will take my right," interrupted Hippy. "Reddy, you may attend to yourown affairs, and keep your distance from my left arm. Jessica, pleaselook after Reddy. His mind is wandering. In fact, it always haswandered. Crazy is as crazy does, you know."
"Yes, we know," flung back David significantly.
"Do you?" asked Hippy in apparent innocence. "I was so afraid youdidn't. To lose one's mind is a dreadful affliction, but not to knowthat one is crazy is even worse. I am so relieved, David, Grace, Tom,and all of you, that at last you know the truth concerning yourselves.It is indeed a sad----"
A moment later the loquacious Hippy was hustled down the street by threedetermi
ned young people, while the other four turned their steps in theopposite direction.