Chapter 7 Jasper Comes to Visit.
That afternoon Jasper returned to the hotel where he and his father were staying for the summer.
This hotel can't do anything right, Mr. King grumbled.
There's no newspaper in the morning.
The tea's always cold.
The rooms are always cold.
We'd be better off returning to the city, he complained.
Oh but father, I met Ben Pepper today and his sister Francie, who is the sweetest, cutest little thing you're ever likely to meet.
They have a sister named Polly as well.
I'd like to visit them over in the next town.
May I, father?
Jasper asked.
Prince stood at Jasper's side, his ears up as if to ask Mr. King's permission as well.
Peppers, I've never heard of a family with that name.
What's all this about, Jasper?
Mr. King asked grumbly.
Jasper explained the whole rescue to Mr. King.
In the meantime, Mr. King's newspaper finally arrived.
His tea was hot and the heater came on in the room, so he agreed to stay at the hotel for a little bit longer and he gave Jasper permission to visit the Peppers.
The next day, Ben was in the yard chopping wood for Polly's new stove, while Polly was busy cleaning in the kitchen.
Hello, said a familiar voice.
Ben looked up to see Jasper King and Prince standing in the lane.
Jasper, Ben said with a big grin.
In a flash, Polly was out the door.
Without thinking, she flew to Prince and flung her arms around his neck.
You must be Polly, Jasper said.
Embarrassed, Polly stood up and with a red face held out her hand to Jasper.
Forgive me.
We're just all so grateful that you and Prince saved our little girl Polly said her voice choked with emotion.
Just then, Francie ran out the door right over to Prince.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his smooth black fur.
Joel and Davy came into the front yard to see what all the commotion was about.
Instantly, they made friends with Jasper and Prince.
Ben showed Jasper around the little brown house.
Joel and Davy happily played fetch with Prince.
Polly and Francie told Jasper about the measles and the old black stove.
Before long, it seemed as though Jasper and the Peppers had been friends forever.
Jasper sat happily in the kitchen and watched Polly make bread.
"'I wish I knew how to bake,' Jasper said.
"'Mamsie and I will teach you when you come back,' Polly said.
"'If you want us to?' she added shyly.
"'I'd like that,' Jasper said.
"'It's no fun spending the summer in the hotel with only father and prince to talk to.'
"'Where's your mother?'
Joel asked, wrestling on the floor with Prince and Davy.
There was an awkward silence."
Jasper lowered his eyes to the floor.
I don't have a mother, he replied in a soft voice.
No mother?
Polly couldn't imagine how anybody would feel without a mother.
Her heart ached for the boy who'd rescued their Francie.
Then I hope you'll come back every day, Polly told him.
At that moment, Mrs. Pepper walked in.
Her gaze swept over the kitchen and rested on Jasper.
She looked into his merry brown eyes, which twinkled just like Polly's.
You must be the boy who saved my little girl, she said.
It was mostly Prince, Mrs. Pepper, Jasper murmured.
You'll never know just how much you did, Mrs. Pepper said, giving Jasper a beautiful smile.
I hope you will stay with us for dinner, she offered.
Jasper jumped up.
I'm afraid I can't.
If I miss the coach back to the hotel, Father will never let me come back.
Come, Prince, Jasper called.
Please stay, Franzi begged.
Please.
I'll come again if that's all right with you, Jasper asked Mrs. Pepper.
You're always welcome here, Jasper King.
Just make sure it's all right with your father, Mrs. Pepper added.
I'll be back on Thursday, Jasper called happily as he bounded out the door.