To prevent that, he spread out both arms. "Say, Polly, what do
you want me for?" At last he was by her side.
"There, who's going to get up in Ben's room first?" said Percy
complacently.
"Well, you aren't," said Van stoutly, "'cause just as soon as Polly's got
through with me, I'm going to run like lightning up there--so! I was ahead
when she called me back."
"Well, I was ahead first," declared Percy, "wasn't I, Polly--wasn't I?" he
appealed anxiously to her.
"Yes," said Polly, "and hush, Van. Now, see here, boys: I've got to find
Joel. Mrs. Sterling has sent for him to come with me over there this
afternoon, and she wants us right away. Don't you know where he is? I've
looked for him just everywhere." She clasped her hands and looked at them
in despair.
"I don't," said Percy.
"Neither do I," said Van; "we're going up in Ben's room. Is that all,
Polly?" and he prepared to run.
"No," said Polly, while Percy, in alarm lest a march should be stolen on
him, sidled off on the other side.
"Van!" Polly nipped his jacket and held it fast. Seeing which, Percy
concluded to remain, and he now came back quietly and stood quite still.
"Boys," said Polly, "it's just this way; you must help me to find Joel,
for, unless you do, I'm sure I don't know what I can do. And Mrs. Sterling
was going to tell us all about the Comfort committee to help Larry, you
know.
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