And
that one happened to be old Mr. King, whom he met as he came downstairs
with a very rueful countenance.
"What's the matter, Percy?" asked the old gentleman, with a keen glance.
"Nothing, Grandpapa," said Percy dismally.
"Goodness me! Do you carry about such a face as that for nothing?" cried
the old gentleman, with a laugh. "You look as if you'd something on your
mind, my boy."
"Well, I have, Grandpapa," said Percy, now driven into a corner, and
looking up at last.
"Best have it out then," said Grandpapa firmly, taking one of Percy's
hands, and they went on to the writing-room.
"There, now, here is just the place for a boy to get things that are
unpleasant off his mind, I take it," he said, closing the door on them
both. "Sit down and tell me what is troubling you, Percy."
"Can't I stand up, Grandpapa?" asked Percy, over by the table.
"To be sure," laughed Grandpapa; "stand up or sit down, just as you choose.
Only let us get at this bugaboo that is worrying you, my boy. Out with it."
"It isn't a bugaboo," said Percy, with open eyes; "it's a plan, Grandpapa.
Only I can't find Ben," and he began to be dismal once more. "Dear me!
where can he be!"
"Oh, it's a plan, is it?" said Grandpapa, vastly relieved. "Well, well!"
Then he began to laugh. "And so you wanted Ben to help you with it, eh?"
"Yes, Grandpapa," said Percy, his happiness returning, and he deserted the
table and ran up to the old gentleman's side.
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