"Now just go in and wait for me," he said, opening the door of the sitting room. "I won't be gone a minute."
Wondering where Mrs. Medulla was Bee sat down. She knew the iron of ridicule had sunk deep into Percival's soul, and she feared for the result. If his mother would but enter soon, the girl reflected, she need not feel any responsibility in the matter. As the moments glided by, however, and no Mrs. Medulla appeared, she was assailed by a sense of uneasiness.
"What do you think of these?" exclaimed Percival, bounding into the room presently. "Look, Beefly! Aren't they great?"
Somewhere the boy had unearthed a pair of long trousers, a coat, and a real shirt with collar and tie. He whirled about for her inspection delightedly.
"Not much Fauntleroy about these, eh?" he said complacently. "What do you think of them?"
Bee was so relieved that she laughed outright.
"You don't look like the same boy, Percival. Do you think you could play your violin in those clothes?"
"Why of course I can," he declared. "I'll show you; but first--"
He ran to his mother's machine, and opening a drawer took out a pair of large shears. Bee ran toward him quickly.
"You must not do that, Percival," she cried. "Oh, where is your mother?"
"My mother has gone into town," answered Percival with a swagger. "I'll settle with her. Now, Beefly, you cut off that hair."
"I will not, Percival," answered Bee emphatically. "Do wait until your mother comes back. Do, Percival; like a dear fellow."
But Master Percival raised the shears, and--snip! Off went a curl. Another and another followed; the lad watching the result of the snipping in the mirror. As the last clip sounded Bee gave a gasp at the result.
"What will your mother say?" she cried, wishing herself anywhere but in the Medulla sitting room. "Oh! what will she say?"
"It's all right," declared Percival sturdily, though it must be confessed that he was slightly dismayed himself. "At least it would be if it were even. Do cut it straight for me, Beefly."
He thrust the shears into her hand as he spoke, and turned his back to her. "Now hurry, and cut it even," he said.
"Percival, are you here?" Mrs. Medulla opened the door at this unfortunate moment, and walked in. "I have brought you something nice from town. Guess--Why!"