CHAPTER XIV.
JOEL.
Joel threw down his books in an uneasy way. "I must give it up; there'sno other way," he exclaimed.
"Halloo, Joe!"
"You here?" cried Joel, whirling in surprise. "Come out of your hole,Dave," peering into the niche between the book-shelves and the bed."What are you prowling in there for?"
"Oh! my cuff-button rolled in here somewhere," said David, emergingcrab-wise, and lifting a red face. "Give us a hand, Joe, and help pullout the bed. Plague on this room for being such a box! There!" with animpatient shove.
Joel burst into a fit of laughter, and then stared; it was such anunusual thing to see a frown on David's placid face. "What's come overyou, any way? Stand out of the way; I'll have this bed over there in ajiffy," rolling it into the center of the small room as he spoke.
David sprang to one side lightly. "Whew! what a dust you kick up," hecried, snapping his clothes gingerly.
"So you are in your best toggery," exclaimed Joel, standing straight,his labors over the bed being completed.
"Yes, I'm going to the Parrotts' to dinner," said David, hurrying offfor the whisk broom to remove the last speck of dust from his dresssuit. "Of course you've forgotten it, Joe, though I don't suppose you'dgo, any way."
"No, I wouldn't go, any way," said Joel, tossing back his black locksfrom his forehead. "You forget, Dave, it's the Association night."
David let another little frown settle on his face. "No, I didn't forgetthat, Joe, but I do wish you'd think it possible to take a Thursdayevening off once in a while for the sake of your friends, if for noother reason."
"Well, I can't," said Joel, getting down on all-fours to hunt for thebutton, "so don't let's go over old arguments. Where in time is thatthing? oh"--and he came up bright and shining to his feet, holding thebutton between his thumb and finger. "My compliments to you," presentingit to David. "There, stick it in before it gets lost again, and hurryoff; you look pretty as a pink."
"Stop your nonsense, Joe," cried David sharply, who hated being remindedof his girlish beauty. "Well, I'll make the usual excuses for you.Good-by," and not forgetting to pick up his walking stick with his hat,he ran off on his way to the florist's for the _boutonniere_ thatmust go on before he presented himself at the Parrotts' dinner party.
Joel shoved back the bed into position with one long thrust that wouldhave been a godsend to a lagging boat crew; then dashed to the table andsat down, doggedly throwing open the first book that came to hand.
"I'd rather chop wood," he exclaimed in the old way, leaning his head onhis hands. "Whew! weren't those good days, though, in the little brownhouse, when we had all outdoors to work in!" He dropped his arms topinch the muscles of one with his other fingers. "Isn't that beautiful?"he said affectionately. Then he swung them over his head, tilting backhis chair restfully.
"What did Mamsie say?" he cried, bringing the chair down with aremorseful thud. "'I'd work myself to skin and bone but I'd go throughcreditably.' Here goes!"
And by the time that Davie was handing in Miss Lulu Parrott to dinnerJoel clapped together his last book, threw on his hat, and rushed out toa hasty supper at Commons, _en route_ to the Christian Associationmeeting.
Little Perkins ran up to him at the close of the meeting. "Stop a bit.Pepper, do," he begged; "Johnson's gone back to his cups, and we can'tdo anything with him."
A cloud fell over Joel's face. "Where is he?" he asked.
"Oh, in the little room back. He won't show his face here, and yet hecan't keep away, he says. You must get your hand on him, Pepper," andLittle Perkins hurried off.
Joel dashed into the "little room back." "How d'ye, Johnson?" puttingout his hand "Come out for a walk, do; why, this room is stifling."
"I can't," said Johnson miserably; "you don't know, Mr. Pepper, I'vebeen drinking, or you wouldn't ask me."
"Nonsense--but I would, though," said Joel sharply. "Come out, I say,Johnson; it's enough to make you drink again to stay in such a room."
Johnson not getting out of his chair, Joel went in and laid hold of hisarm. "It's no use, Johnson," he said, "I can't talk to you here; it'stoo hot and close. And I do want a walk, so let's have it together.There, button up your coat," as they were well out in the hall, andJohnson flung his hat on his head with a reckless hand.
As they hurried down the steps they ran against a crowd of college boys.Johnson shrank up miserably against the stone fence, and tried to lookas small as possible. Glances of recognition passed, and Joel spoke toright and left as the boys went by. But a few hisses, low and insistent,were all he got.
"Do let me go," begged Johnson, still hugging the fence, "you can't saveme; and they hate you enough for such work."
"Come on!" roared Joel at him, and plucking him off from the fence witha determined hand.
"It's time we went for him," said one of the college boys, with abackward glance at Joel and his companion, "the Deacon is absolutelyinsulting. The idea of his speaking to us."
"Let's have it over to-night," said another. "What do you say?" to theothers.
"Where's Davina?" asked another.
"Oh, Pink-and-White is out dining," said the first voice. "My prettylittle girl is safe at the Parrotts'."
"Sure?"
"As a gun. Met him with a posy in his button-hole, and sweet as a littlebud himself, and he told me so."
"All right. He'll stay away late, then; the Parrotts always have musicor a dance after their dinners. Come on." The last speaker rolled up hissleeves, and boxed imaginary rounds in a scientific manner in the air.
"Agreed?" the tall fellow who proposed it looked over the whole crew."Do you all want to have it done to-night?" as they came to a standstillon the pavement.
"Yes--yes."
"Hush--that cop is looking. Move on, will you? Now, not a man of youbacks out, you understand; if he does, he gets worse than the Deaconwill. All right."
"_We're all such jolly good fellows, We're all such jolly good fellows_"--
Everybody smiled who passed them singing their way down town.
"It always does me good to hear those students sing. They're so happy,and so affectionate toward each other," said one lady, hanging on herescort's arm.
He, being a college man, said rapturously, "Oh yes!"
Joel, back in his own room, threw himself in his easy chair, firstturning down the gas. "Just so much less of a bill for Grandpapa. Ourdebt is rolling up fast enough without burning up the money. Dear me, ifJohnson drinks after this, I shall be in despair." He threw up his longlegs, and rested them on the mantel, while he thrust his hands in hispockets, to think the better.
A knock at the door. "Come in!" called Joel, not looking around, till arushing sound of feet trying to step carefully, called him out ofhimself.
"Now--now!" Two or three swifter than the others, darted for the chair,but Joel was not in it. On the other side of it, looking at them, hishands out of his pockets, he stood, saying, "What do you want?"
"Oh, come, Pepper, it's no use," said a tall fellow, wiry and agile,"too many against you in this little call. Come along," and he advancedon Joel.
"You come along yourself, Dobbs," said Joel pleasantly, and holding up afist that looked hard to begin with, "and you'll get this; that's all."
"You come along yourself, Dobbs," said Joel pleasantly.]
"Come on, fellows!" Dobbs looked back and winked to the others. "Now!"there was a shoulder-to-shoulder rush; a wild tangle of arms, followedby a wilder tangle of legs, and Joel was through the ranks, his blackeyes blazing, and tossing his black hair from his forehead.
"Do you want some more?" he cried, flirting his fists in the air, "orwill you leave my room?"
"Lock the door!" "Get up, Bingley," and, "Stop your roaring." "No, we'llgive it to you now, and no mistake." "If you won't come quietly, youshall some way, Deacon."
These were some of the smothered cries.
"Now!" and there was another blind rush; this time, over Bingley, whodid
n't heed the invitation to get up.
Joel, watching his chance to reach the door, had no time before theywere on him, and he heard the key click in the lock.
"It's for Mamsie now, sure--and for Polly!" he said, setting his teethhard. On they came. But Joel, in rushing through as before, was somindful of stepping over Bingley carefully, that it lost him an instant;and a grasp firm as iron, was on his arm. The others rallied, and closedaround him.
"Unhand me!" yelled Joel, beating them off. But he might as well havefought tigers, unless he could knock off, with cruel aim, the onehanging to his arm. It was no time to mince matters, and Joel, onlycareful to avoid the face, struck a terrible blow that felled Dobbsflat.
"Now will you go?" roared Joel, aghast at what he had done, yet swinginghis arms with deadly intent on either side, "or, do you want some more?"
There lay two valiant fellows on the floor. The rest drew off and lookedat them.
"You'll pay for this, Deacon," they declared under their breath.
"I suppose so," said Joel, still swinging his arms for practice;"probably you'll wait for me with kindly intent some dark night behind atree, as you know I don't carry a pistol. Why don't you have it out now?Come on if you want to."
But no one seemed to want to.
"There'll be a row over this," said one or two, consulting together; "aslong as those thin-skinned fellows don't get up," pointing to the floor,"we must wait." Suddenly the door was unlocked, and the whole crewstampeded.
"See here," cried Joel, bounding after them, "come back and take care ofyour two men."
But the crew disappeared.
Bingley lifted his head feebly.
"Just like Dobbs," he said, "get us into a scrape, and then cut."
"Hush--don't say anything," said Joel, rushing frantically back, "Ithink he's dead--oh, Bingley, I'm sorry I hurt you too."
He was rapidly pouring water into the basin, and dashing it into Dobbs'unconscious face. "I must go for the doctor," he groaned. "Bingley, hecan't be dead--do say he isn't!" in a flood of remorse.
Bingley managed to roll over and look at his late leader. "He looks likeit," he said; "I shouldn't think you'd be sorry, Pepper."
"Oh!" groaned Joel, quite horror-stricken, and dashing the water with areckless hand, feeling like a murderer all the time.
"Bingley, could you manage to do this?" at last he cried in despair. "Imust run for a doctor, there's not a minute to lose."
"I wouldn't go for any doctor," advised Bingley cautiously; "see; hiseyelids are moving--this row will be all over town if you do."
But Joel was flying off. "Come back!" called Bingley, "I vow he's allright; he's opened his eyes, Pepper."
Joel turned; saw for himself that Dobbs was really looking at him, andthat his lips moved as if he wanted to say something.
"What is it, Dobbs?" cried Joel, throwing himself down on his knees byDobbs' side.
"Let him alone, and help me up," said Bingley crossly, "I'm hurt a greatdeal more. He's tough as a boiled owl. Give us a hand, Pepper."
But Joel had his ear down to Dobbs' mouth.
"Where are the fellows?" asked Dobbs in a whisper.
"Gone," answered Joel, briefly.
"Gone--and left me here like a dog?" said Dobbs.
"Yes," said Joel.
"They couldn't wait, my friend," observed Bingley sarcastically, "forpeople of such trifling consequence, as you and I."
"The deuce! you here, Bingley?" exclaimed Dobbs, in his natural voice,and trying to get his head up.
"Oh, you are coming to, are you?" said Bingley carelessly. "Well, Dobbs,I think you better get on your feet, and help me out, since Pepperwon't; for I vow I can't stir."
"Oh, I'll help you," declared Joel, getting up to run over and put hishands under Bingley's arms, paling as he exclaimed, "I didn't mean tohurt you so, Bingley, on my honor I didn't."
"And you didn't," said Bingley, wincing with the pain, as Joel slowlydrew him to his feet; "it wasn't your stinger of a blow, Pepper, butsome of those dastardly cads stepped all over me; I could feel themhoofing me. There, set me in that chair, and I'll draw a long breath ifI can."
"Now, I shall go for a doctor," declared Joel, setting Bingley withinthe easy-chair, and making a second dash for the door.
"I tell you, you will not," cried Bingley, from his chair. "Wait aminute, till I see where I'm hurt. I'm coming out of it better than Ithought. Come back, Pepper."
"Really?" Joel drew off from the door, and looked at him.
"Yes; go and take care of Dobbs; he was only shamming," said Bingley,leaning his head comfortably on the chair-back. Dobbs already was on hisfeet, and slowly standing quite straight.
"Sure you don't want any help?" asked Joel, putting out his hand.
"Thanks, no," said Dobbs scornfully, not looking at the hand, but makingfor the door.
"Let him alone, Pepper," advised Bingley; "a mean, low-lived chap likethat isn't hurt; you couldn't kill him," as Joel looked out anxiously towatch Dobbs' progress along the hall, at last following him along a bit.
"He's in his own room, thank fortune," exclaimed Joel, coming back, "andI suppose I can't do any more. But oh, I do wish, Bingley, it hadn'thappened."
Joel leaned his elbow on the mantel, and looked down at the easy-chairand its occupant.
"Perhaps you'd rather be lying there," said Bingley, pointing to thefloor, "instead, with a flopper under your ear, like the nasty one yougave me, Pepper."
"I am so sorry for that, too," cried Joel, in a fresh burst of remorse.
"I got no more, I presume, than was good for me," said Bingley, feelingthe bump under his ear. "And don't you worry, Pepper, for your mind mustbe toned up to meet those fellows. They'll be at some neat little gameto pay you up for this, you may rest assured."
"I suppose so," said Joel indifferently. "Well, now are you sure I can'tdo anything for you, Bingley?"
"Sure as a gun," said Bingley decidedly; "I'm getting quite limberedout; so I'll go, for I know my room is better than my company, Pepper,"and he dragged himself stiffly out of his chair.
"Don't go," said Joel hospitably; "stay as long as you want to; I shouldbe glad to have you."
Bingley turned a pair of bright eyes on him. "Thank you," he said, "butDavina will be in soon, and things will have to be explained a little,and I'm not quite up to it to-night. No, I must go," moving to the door;"I don't feel like making a pretty speech, Pepper," he said, hesitatinga bit, "or I'd express something of what's on my mind. But I think youunderstand."
"If you want to do me a favor," said Joel steadily, "you'll stop callingDavid, Davina. It makes him fearfully mad, and I don't wonder."
"He's so pretty," said Bingley, with a smile, and wincing at the sametime, "we can't help it. It's a pity to spoil that lovely name."
"But you must," declared Joel, growing savage; "I tell you, it justruins college life for Dave, and he's so bright, and leads his class, Idon't see how you can."
"Oh, we're awfully proud of him," said Bingley, leaning heavily on thetable, "of course, and trot him out behind his back for praises and allthat, but when it comes to giving up that sweet name--that's anotherthing," he added regretfully. "However, I'll do it, and make the otherfellows, if I can."
"Good for you!" cried Joel gratefully. "Good-night, Bingley; sure youdon't want any help to your room?"
"Sure," declared Bingley, going out unsteadily and shutting the door.
Joel threw himself on his knees by the side of the easy-chair, andburrowed his head deep within it. "Oh, if I only had Mamsie's lap to layit in," he groaned, "and Mamsie's hands to go over it."
"Joe--Joe!" David flung wide the door, "where are you?" he cried.
Joel sprang to his feet.
"Here's a telegram," said David, waving a yellow sheet at him. "I justmet the boy bringing it up. The folks were going to see Jasper--on asurprise party; something happened to the cars, and Polly has her armbroken--but that's all," delivered David, aghast at Joel's face. br />
"Polly? oh, not Polly?" cried Joel, putting up both hands, and feelingthe room turn around with him.
"Yes, Polly," said David; "don't look so, Joe," he begged, feeling hisown cheeks getting white, "it's only broken--it can't be bad, for we arenot to go, Grandpapa says; see," shaking the telegram at him.
"But I shall go--we both must," declared Joel passionately, beginning torush for his hat behind the door; "the idea--Polly hurt, and we not togo! Come on, Dave, we can catch the midnight train," looking at hiswatch.
"But if it makes Polly worse," said David doubtfully.
Joel's hand carrying the hat to his head, wavered, and he finally tossedthe head-gear into the nearest corner. "I suppose you are right, Dave,"he said helplessly, and sinking into a chair.