第1章

\"Comeon，then。\" \"Oh，I\'mnotgoing；it\'stoowet。Shouldn\'thaveacrimpleftifIwentoutsuchadayasthis；andIwanttolooknicewhenPollycomes。\" \"Youdon\'texpectmetogoandbringhomeastrangegirlalone，doyou？\" AndTomlookedasmuchalarmedasifhissisterhadproposedtohimtoescortthewildwomanofAustralia。 \"OfcourseIdo。It\'syourplacetogoandgether；andifyouwasn\'tabear，you\'dlikeit。\" \"Well，Icallthatmean!IsupposedI\'dgottogo；butyousaidyou\'dgo，too。Catchmebotheringaboutyourfriendsanothertime!No，sir!\"AndTomrosefromthesofawithanairofindignantresolution，theimpressiveeffectofwhichwassomewhatdamagedbyatousledhead，andthehunchedappearanceofhisgarmentsgenerally。 \"Now，don\'tbecross；andI\'llgetmammatoletyouhavethathorridNedMiller，thatyouaresofondof，comeandmakeyouavisitafterPolly\'sgone，\"saidFanny，hopingtosoothehisruffledfeelings。 \"Howlongisshegoingtostay？\"demandedTom，makinghistoiletbyapromiscuousshake。 \"Amonthortwo，maybe。She\'seversonice；andIshallkeepheraslongasshe\'shappy。\" \"Shewon\'tstaylongthen，ifIcanhelpit，\"mutteredTom，whoregardedgirlsasaveryunnecessaryportionofcreation。Boysoffourteenareapttothinkso，andperhapsitisawisearrangement；for，beingfondofturningsomersaults，theyhaveanopportunityofindulginginagoodone，metaphoricallyspeaking，when，threeorfouryearslater，theybecometheabjectslavesof\"thosebotheringgirls。\" \"Lookhere!howamIgoingtoknowthecreature？Ineversawher，andsheneversawme。You\'llhavetocometoo，Fan，\"headded，pausingonhiswaytothedoor，arrestedbytheawfulideathathemighthavetoaddressseveralstrangegirlsbeforehegottherightone。 \"You\'llfindhereasyenough；she\'llprobablybestandingroundlookingforus。Idaresayshe\'llknowyou，thoughI\'mnotthere，becauseI\'vedescribedyoutoher。\" \"Guessshewon\'t，then；\"andTomgaveahastysmoothtohiscurlypateandaglanceatthemirror，feelingsurethathissisterhadn\'tdonehimjustice。Sistersneverdo，as\"wefellows\"knowtoowell。 \"Dogoalong，oryou\'llbetoolate；andthen，whatwillPollythinkofme？\"criedFanny，withtheimpatientpokewhichispeculiarlyaggravatingtomasculinedignity。 \"She\'llthinkyoucaredmoreaboutyourfrizzlesthanyourfriends，andshe\'llbeaboutright，too。\" Feelingthathesaidratheraneatandcuttingthing，Tomsaunteredleisurelyaway，perfectlyconsciousthatitwaslate，butbentonnotbeinghurriedwhileinsight，thoughheranhimselfoffhislegstomakeupforitafterward。 \"IfIwasthePresident，I\'dmakealawtoshutupallboystilltheyweregrown；fortheycertainlyarethemostprovokingtoadsintheworld，\" saidFanny，asshewatchedtheslouchyfigureofherbrotherstrollingdownthestreet。Shemighthavechangedhermind，however，ifshehadfollowedhim，forassoonasheturnedthecorner，hiswholeaspectaltered；hishandscameoutofhispockets，hestoppedwhistling，buttonedhisjacket，gavehiscapapull，andwentoffatagreatpace。 Thetrainwasjustinwhenhereachedthestation，pantinglikearace-horse，andasredasalobsterwiththewindandtherun。 \"Supposeshe\'llwearatop-knotandathingumbob，likeeveryoneelse； andhowevershallIknowher？ToobadofFantomakemecomealone!\"thoughtTom，ashestoodwatchingthecrowdstreamthroughthedepot，andfeelingratherdauntedatthearrayofyoungladieswhopassed。Asnoneofthemseemedlookingforanyone，hedidnotaccostthem，buteyedeachnewbatchwiththeairofamartyr。\"That\'sher，\"hesaidtohimself，ashepresentlycaughtsightofagirlingorgeousarray，standingwithherhandsfolded，andaverysmallhatperchedonthetopofaverylarge\"chig-non，\"asTompronouncedit。\"IsupposeI\'vegottospeaktoher，soheregoes；\" and，nervinghimselftothetask，Tomslowlyapproachedthedamsel，wholookedasifthewindhadblownherclothesintorags，suchaflappingofsashes，scallops，ruffles，curls，andfeatherswasthere。 \"Isay，ifyouplease，isyournamePollyMilton？\"meeklyaskedTom，pausingbeforethebreezystranger。 \"No，itisn\'t，\"answeredtheyounglady，withacoolstarethatutterlyquenchedhim。 \"Whereinthunderisshe？\"growledTom，walkingoffinhighdudgeon。 Thequicktapoffeetbehindhimmadehimturnintimetoseeafresh-facedlittlegirlrunningdownthelongstation，andlookingasifsheratherlikedit。Asshesmiled，andwavedherbagathim，hestoppedandwaitedforher，sayingtohimself，\"Hullo!Iwonderifthat\'sPolly？\" Upcamethelittlegirl，withherhandout，andahalf-shy，half-merrylookinherblueeyes，asshesaid，inquiringly，\"ThisisTom，isn\'tit？\" \"Yes。Howdidyouknow？\"andTomgotovertheordealofhand-shakingwithoutthinkingofit，hewassosurprised。 \"Oh，Fantoldmeyou\'dgotcurlyhair，andafunnynose，andkeptwhistling，andworeagraycappulledoveryoureyes；soIknewyoudirectly。\"AndPollynoddedathiminthemostfriendlymanner，havingpolitelyrefrainedfromcallingthehair\"red，\"thenose\"apug，\"andthecap\"old，\"­；allofwhichfactsFannyhadcarefullyimpresseduponhermemory。 \"Whereareyourtrunks？\"askedTom，ashewasremindedofhisdutybyherhandinghimthebag，whichhehadnotofferedtotake。 \"Fathertoldmenottowaitforanyone，elseI\'dlosemychanceofahack；soIgavemychecktoaman，andthereheiswithmytrunk；\"andPollywalkedoffafterheronemodestpieceofbaggage，followedbyTom，whofeltatrifledepressedbyhisownremissnessinpoliteattentions。 \"Sheisn\'tabitofayounglady，thankgoodness!Fandidn\'ttellmeshewaspretty。Don\'tlooklikecitygirls，noractlike\'em，neither，\" hethought，trudgingintherear，andeyeingwithfavorthebrowncurlsbobbingalonginfront。 Asthecarriagedroveoff，Pollygavealittlebounceonthespringyseat，andlaughedlikeadelightedchild。\"Idoliketorideinthesenicehacks，andseeallthefinethings，andhaveagoodtime，don\'tyou？\"shesaid，composingherselfthenextminute，asifitsuddenlyoccurredtoherthatshewasgoinga-visiting。 \"Notmuch，\"saidTom，notmindingwhathesaid，forthefactthathewasshutupwiththestrangegirlsuddenlyoppressedhissoul。 \"How\'sFan？Whydidn\'tshecome，too？\"askedPolly，tryingtolookdemure，whilehereyesdancedinspiteofher。 \"Afraidofspoilinghercrinkles；\"andTomsmiled，forthisbasebetrayalofconfidencemadehimfeelhisownmanagain。 \"YouandIdon\'tminddampness。I\'mmuchobligedtoyouforcomingtotakecareofme。\" ItwaskindofPollytosaythat，andTomfeltit；forhisredcropwasatenderpoint，andtobeassociatedwithPolly\'sprettybrowncurlsseemedtolessenitscopperyglow。Thenhehadn\'tdoneanythingforherbutcarrythebagafewsteps；yet，shethankedhim。Hefeltgrateful，andinaburstofconfidence，offeredahandfulofpeanuts，forhispocketswerealwayssuppliedwiththisagreeabledelicacy，andhemightbetracedanywherebythetrailofshellsheleftbehindhim。 Assoonashehaddoneit，herememberedthatFannyconsideredthemvulgar，andfeltthathehaddisgracedhisfamily。Sohestuckhisheadoutofthewindow，andkeptittheresolong，thatPollyaskedifanythingwasthematter。\"Pooh!whocaresforacountrifiedlittlethinglikeher，\" saidTommanfullytohimself；andthenthespiritofmischiefenteredinandtookpossessionofhim。 \"He\'sprettydrunk；butIguesshecanholdhishorses，\"repliedthisevil-mindedboy，withanairofcalmresignation。 \"Isthemantipsy？Oh，dear!let\'sgetout!Arethehorsesbad？It\'sverysteephere；doyouthinkit\'ssafe？\"criedpoorPolly，makingacockedhatofherlittlebeaver，bythrustingitoutofthehalf-openwindowonherside。 \"There\'splentyoffolkstopickusupifanythinghappens；butperhapsitwouldbesaferifIgotoutandsatwiththeman；\"andTomquitebeamedwiththebrilliancyofthissuddenmodeofrelief。 \"Oh，do，ifyouain\'tafraid!Motherwouldbesoanxiousifanythingshouldhappentome，sofaraway!\"criedPolly，muchdistressed。 \"Don\'tyoubeworried。I\'llmanagetheoldchap，andthehorsestoo；\" andopeningthedoor，Tomvanishedaloft，leavingpoorvictimizedPollytoquakeinside，whileheplacidlyrevelledinfreedomandpeanutsoutside，withthestaidolddriver。 Fannycameflyingdowntomeether\"darlingPolly，\"asTompresentedher，withthegracefulremark，\"I\'vegother!\"andtheairofadauntlesshunter，producingthetrophiesofhisskill。Pollywasinstantlywhiskedupstairs；andhavingdancedadouble-shuffleonthedoor-mat，Tomretiredtothedining-room，torestoreexhaustednaturewithhalfadozencookies。 \"Ain\'tyoutiredtodeath？Don\'tyouwanttoliedown？\"saidFanny，sittingonthesideofthebedinPolly\'sroom，andchatteringhard，whilesheexaminedeverythingherfriendhadon。 \"Notabit。Ihadanicetimecoming，andnotrouble，exceptthetipsycoachman；butTomgotoutandkepthiminorder，soIwasn\'tmuchfrightened，\" answeredinnocentPolly，takingoffherrough-and-readycoat，andtheplainhatwithoutabitofafeather。 \"Fiddlestick!hewasn\'ttipsy；andTomonlydidittogetoutoftheway。Hecan\'tbeargirls，\"saidFanny，withasuperiorair。 \"Can\'the？Why，Ithoughthewasverypleasantandkind!\"andPollyopenedhereyeswithasurprisedexpression。 \"He\'sanawfulboy，mydear；andifyouhaveanythingtodowithhim，he\'lltormentyoutodeath。Boysareallhorrid；buthe\'sthehorridestoneIeversaw。\" Fannywenttoafashionableschool，wheretheyoungladiesweresobusywiththeirFrench，German，andItalian，thattherewasnotimeforgoodEnglish。Feelingherconfidencemuchshakenintheyouth，Pollyprivatelyresolvedtolethimalone，andchangedtheconversation，bysaying，asshelookedadmiringlyaboutthelarge，handsomeroom，\"Howsplendiditis!Ineversleptinabedwithcurtainsbefore，orhadsuchafinetoilet-tableasthis。\" \"I\'mgladyoulikeit；butdon\'t，formercysake，saysuchthingsbeforetheothergirls!\"repliedFanny，wishingPollywouldwearear-rings，aseveryoneelsedid。 \"Whynot？\"askedthecountrymouseofthecitymouse，wonderingwhatharmtherewasinlikingotherpeople\'sprettythings，andsayingso。 \"Oh，theylaughateverythingtheleastbitodd，andthatisn\'tpleasant。\" Fannydidn\'tsay\"countrified，\"butshemeantit，andPollyfeltuncomfortable。 Sosheshookoutherlittleblacksilkapronwithathoughtfulface，andresolvednottoalludetoherownhome，ifshecouldhelpit。 \"I\'msopoorly，mammasaysIneedn\'tgotoschoolregularly，whileyouarehere，­；onlytwoorthreetimesaweek，justtokeepupmymusicandFrench。Youcangotoo，ifyoulike；papasaidso。Do，it\'ssuchfun!\" criedFanny，quitesurprisingherfriendbythisunexpectedfondnessforschool。 \"Ishouldbeafraid，ifallthegirlsdressasfinelyasyoudo，andknowasmuch，\"saidPolly，beginningtofeelshyatthethought。 \"La，child!youneedn\'tmindthat。I\'lltakecareofyou，andfixyouup，soyouwon\'tlookodd。\" \"AmIodd？\"askedPolly，struckbythewordandhopingitdidn\'tmeananythingverybad。 \"Youareadear，andeversomuchprettierthanyouwerelastsummer，onlyyou\'vebeenbroughtupdifferentlyfromus；soyourwaysain\'tlikeours，yousee，\"beganFanny，findingitratherhardtoexplain。 \"Howdifferent？\"askedPollyagain，forshelikedtounderstandthings。 \"Well，youdresslikealittlegirl，foronething。\" \"Iamalittlegirl；sowhyshouldn\'tI？\"andPollylookedathersimplebluemerinofrock，stoutboots，andshorthair，withapuzzledair。 \"Youarefourteen；andweconsiderourselvesyoungladiesatthatage，\"continuedFanny，surveying，withcomplacency，thepileofhaironthetopofherhead，withafringeoffuzzroundherforehead，andawavylockstreamingdownherback；likewise，herscarlet-and-blacksuit，withitsbigsash，littlepannier，brightbuttons，points，rosettes，­；and，heavenknowswhat。Therewasalocketonherneck，earringstinklinginherears，watchandchainatherbelt，andseveralringsonapairofhandsthatwouldhavebeenimprovedbysoapandwater。 Polly\'seyewentfromonelittlefiguretotheother，andshethoughtthatFannylookedtheoddestofthetwo；forPollylivedinaquietcountrytown，andknewverylittleofcityfashions。Shewasratherimpressedbytheeleganceabouther，neverhavingseenFanny\'shomebefore，astheygotacquaintedwhileFannypaidavisittoafriendwholivednearPolly。 Butshedidn\'tletthecontrastbetweenherselfandFantroubleher；forinaminuteshelaughedandsaid，contentedly，\"Mymotherlikesmetodresssimply，andIdon\'tmind。Ishouldn\'tknowwhattodoriggedupasyouare。Don\'tyoueverforgettoliftyoursashandfixthosepuffythingswhenyousitdown？\" BeforeFannycouldanswer，ascreamfrombelowmadebothlisten。\"It\'sonlyMaud；shefussesalldaylong，\"beganFanny；andthewordswerehardlyoutofhermouth，whenthedoorwasthrownopen，andalittlegirl，ofsixorseven，cameroaringin。ShestoppedatsightofPolly，staredaminute，thentookupherroarjustwheresheleftit，andcastherselfintoFanny\'slap，exclaimingwrathfully，\"Tom\'slaughingatme!Makehimstop!\" \"Whatdidyoudotosethimgoing？Don\'tscreamso，you\'llfrightenPolly!\"andFangavethecherubashake，whichproducedanexplanation。 \"Ionlysaidwehadcoldcweamattheparty，lastnight，andhelaughed!\" \"Ice-cream，child!\"andFannyfollowedTom\'sreprehensibleexample。 \"Idon\'tcare!itwascold；andIwarmedmineatthewegister，andthenitwasnice；only，WillyBlissspiltitonmynewGabwielle!\" andMaudwailedagainoverheraccumulatedwoes。 \"DogotoKaty!You\'reascrossasalittlebearto-day!\"saidFanny，pushingheraway。 \"Katydon\'tamooseme；andImustbeamoosed，\'causeI\'mfwactious； mammasaidIwas!\"sobbedMaud，evidentlylaboringunderthedelusionthatfractiousnesswassomeinterestingmalady。 \"Comedownandhavedinner；thatwillamuseyou；\"andFannygotup，plumingherselfasabirddoesbeforeitsflight。 Pollyhopedthe\"dreadfulboy\"wouldnotbepresent；buthewas，andstaredatheralldinner-time，inamosttryingmanner。Mr。Shaw，abusy-lookinggentleman，said，\"Howdoyoudo，mydear？Hopeyou\'llenjoyyourself；\" andthenappearedtoforgetherentirely。Mrs。Shaw，apale，nervouswoman，greetedherlittleguestkindly，andtookcarethatshewantedfornothing。 MadamShaw，aquietoldlady，withanimposingcap，exclaimedonseeingPolly，\"Blessmyheart!theimageofhermother­；asweetwoman­；howisshe，dear？\"andkeptpeeringatthenew-comeroverherglasses，till，betweenMadamandTom，poorPollylostherappetite。 Fannychattedlikeamagpie，andMaudfidgeted，tillTomproposedtoputherunderthebigdish-cover，whichproducedsuchanexplosion，thattheyoungladywasbornescreamingaway，bythemuch-enduringKaty。Itwasaltogetheranuncomfortabledinner，andPollywasverygladwhenitwasover。Theyallwentabouttheirownaffairs；andafterdoingthehonorsofthehouse，Fanwascalledtothedressmaker，leavingPollytoamuseherselfinthegreatdrawing-room。 Pollywasgladtobealoneforafewminutes；and，havingexaminedalltheprettythingsabouther，begantowalkupanddownoverthesoft，flowerycarpet，hummingtoherself，asthedaylightfaded，andonlytheruddyglowofthefirefilledtheroom。PresentlyMadamcameslowlyin，andsatdowninherarm-chair，saying，\"That\'safineoldtune；singittome，mydear。 Ihaven\'thearditthismanyaday。\" Pollydidn\'tliketosingbeforestrangers，forshehadhadnoteachingbutsuchasherbusymothercouldgiveher；butshehadbeentaughttheutmostrespectforoldpeople，andhavingnoreasonforrefusing，shedirectlywenttothepiano，anddidasshewasbid。 \"That\'sthesortofmusicit\'sapleasuretohear。Singsomemore，dear，\"saidMadam，inhergentleway，whenshehaddone。 Pleasedwiththispraise，Pollysangawayinafreshlittlevoice，thatwentstraighttothelistener\'sheartandnestledthere。ThesweetoldtunesthatoneisnevertiredofwereallPolly\'sstore；andherfavoriteswereScotchairs，suchas，\"Yellow-HairedLaddie，\"\"Jocko\'Hazeldean，\" \"DownamongtheHeather，\"and\"BirksofAberfeldie。\"Themoreshesung，thebettershedidit；andwhenshewoundupwith\"AHealthtoKingCharlie，\" theroomquiterungwiththestirringmusicmadebythebigpianoandthelittlemaid。 \"ByGeorge，that\'sajollytune!Singitagain，please，\"criedTom\'svoice；andtherewasTom\'sredheadbobbingupoverthehighbackofthechairwherehehadhiddenhimself。 ItgavePollyquiteaturn，forshethoughtnoonewashearingherbuttheoldladydozingbythefire。\"Ican\'tsinganymore；I\'mtired，\"shesaid，andwalkedawaytoMadamintheotherroom。Theredheadvanishedlikeameteor，forPolly\'stonehadbeendecidedlycool。 Theoldladyputoutherhand，anddrawingPollytoherknee，lookedintoherfacewithsuchkindeyes，thatPollyforgottheimpressivecap，andsmiledatherconfidingly；forshesawthathersimplemusichadpleasedherlistener，andshefeltgladtoknowit。 \"Youmustn\'tmindmystaring，dear，\"saidMadam，softlypinchingherrosycheek。\"Ihaven\'tseenalittlegirlforsolong，itdoesmyoldeyesgoodtolookatyou。\" Pollythoughtthataveryoddspeech，andcouldn\'thelpsaying，\"Aren\'tFanandMaudlittlegirls，too？\" \"Oh，dear，no!notwhatIcalllittlegirls。Fanhasbeenayoungladythistwoyears，andMaudisaspoiledbaby。Yourmother\'saverysensiblewoman，mychild。\" \"Whataveryqueeroldlady!\"thoughtPolly；butshesaid\"Yes\'m\"respectfully，andlookedatthefire。 \"Youdon\'tunderstandwhatImean，doyou？\"askedMadam，stillholdingherbythechin。 \"No\'m；notquite。\" \"Well，dear，I\'lltellyou。Inmyday，childrenoffourteenandfifteendidn\'tdressintheheightofthefashion；gotoparties，asnearlylikethoseofgrownpeopleasit\'spossibletomakethem；leadidle，giddy，unhealthylives，andgetblasé；attwenty。Wewerelittlefolkstilleighteenorso；workedandstudied，dressedandplayed，likechildren；honoredourparents；andourdaysweremuchlongerinthelandthannow，itseemsto，me。\" TheoldladyappearedtoforgetPollyattheendofherspeech；forshesatpattingtheplumplittlehandthatlayinherown，andlookingupatafadedpictureofanoldgentlemanwitharuffledshirtandaqueue。 \"Washeyourfather，Madam？ \"Yes，dear；myhonoredfather。Ididuphisfrillstothedayofhisdeath；andthefirstmoneyIeverearnedwasfivedollarswhichheofferedasaprizetowhicheverofhissixgirlswouldlaythehandsomestdarninhissilkstockings。\" \"Howproudyoumusthavebeen!\"criedPolly，leaningontheoldlady\'skneewithaninterestedface。 \"Yes，andwealllearnedtomakebread，andcook，andworelittlechintzgowns，andwereasgayandheartyaskittens。Alllivedtobegrandmothersandfathers；andI\'mthelast，­；seventy，nextbirthday，mydear，andnotwornoutyet；thoughdaughterShawisaninvalidatforty。\" \"That\'sthewayIwasbroughtup，andthat\'swhyFancallsmeold-fashioned，Isuppose。Tellmoreaboutyourpapa，please；Ilikeit，\"saidPolly。 \"Say\'father。\'Wenevercalledhimpapa；andifoneofmybrothershadaddressedhimas\'governor，\'asboysdonow，Ireallythinkhe\'dhavehimcutoffwithashilling。\" Madamraisedhervoiceinsayingthis，andnoddedsignificantly；butamildsnorefromtheotherroomseemedtoassureherthatitwasawasteofshottofireinthatdirection。 Beforeshecouldcontinue，incameFannywiththejoyfulnewsthatClaraBirdhadinvitedthembothtogotothetheatrewithherthatveryevening，andwouldcallforthematseveno\'clock。Pollywassoexcitedbythissuddenplungeintothedissipationsofcitylife，thatsheflewaboutlikeadistractedbutterfly，andhardlyknewwhathappened，tillshefoundherselfseatedbeforethegreatgreencurtaininthebrillianttheatre。OldMr。 Birdsatononeside，Fannyontheother，andbothletheralone，forwhichshewasverygrateful，asherwholeattentionwassoabsorbedinthescenearoundher，thatshecouldn\'ttalk。 Pollyhadneverbeenmuchtothetheatre；andthefewplaysshehadseenwerethegoodoldfairytales，dramatizedtosuityoungbeholders，­；lively，bright，andfulloftheharmlessnonsensewhichbringsthelaughwithouttheblush。Thatnightshesawoneofthenewspectacleswhichhavelatelybecometherage，andrunforhundredsofnights，dazzling，exciting，anddemoralizingthespectatorbyeveryallurementFrenchingenuitycaninvent，andAmericanprodigalityexecute。Nevermindwhatitsnamewas，itwasverygorgeous，veryvulgar，andveryfashionable；so，ofcourse，itwasmuchadmired，andeveryonewenttoseeit。Atfirst，Pollythoughtshehadgotintofairy-land，andsawonlythesparklingcreatureswhodancedandsunginaworldoflightandbeauty；but，presently，shebegantolistentothesongsandconversation，andthentheillusionvanished；forthelovelyphantomssangnegromelodies，talkedslang，andwereadisgracetothegoodold-fashionedelveswhomsheknewandlovedsowell。 Ourlittlegirlwastooinnocenttounderstandhalfthejokes，andoftenwonderedwhatpeoplewerelaughingat；but，asthefirstenchantmentsubsided，Pollybegantofeeluncomfortable，tobesurehermotherwouldn\'tliketohaveherthere，andtowishshehadn\'tcome。Somehow，thingsseemedtogetworseandworse，astheplaywenton；foroursmallspectatorwasbeingrapidlyenlightenedbythegossipgoingonallabouther，aswellasbyherownquickeyesandgirlishinstincts。Whenfour-and-twentygirls，dressedasjockeys，cameprancingontothestage，crackingtheirwhips，stampingtheheelsoftheirtopboots，andwinkingattheaudience，Pollydidnotthinkitatallfunny，butlookeddisgusted，andwasgladwhentheyweregone；butwhenanothersetappearedinacostumeconsistingofgauzewings，andabitofgoldfringeroundthewaist，poorunfashionablePollydidn\'tknowwhattodo；forshefeltbothfrightenedandindignant，andsatwithhereyesonherplay-bill，andhercheeksgettinghotterandhottereveryminute。 \"Whatareyoublushingsofor？\"askedFanny，asthepaintedsylphsvanished。 \"I\'msoashamedofthosegirls，\"whisperedPolly，takingalongbreathofrelief。 \"Youlittlegoose，­；it\'sjustthewayitwasdoneinParis，andthedancingissplendid。Itseemsqueeratfirst；butyou\'llgetusedtoit，asIdid。\" \"I\'llnevercomeagain，\"saidPolly，decidedly；forherinnocentnaturerebelledagainstthespectacle，which，asyet，gavehermorepainthanpleasure。Shedidnotknowhoweasyitwasto\"getusedtoit，\"asFannydid；anditwaswellforherthatthetemptationwasnotoftenoffered。 Shecouldnotexplainthefeeling；butshewasgladwhentheplaywasdone，andtheyweresafeathome，wherekindgrandmawaswaitingtoseethemcomfortablyintobed。 \"Didyouhaveagoodtime，dear？\"sheasked，lookingatPolly\'sfeverishcheeksandexcitedeyes。 \"Idon\'twishtoberude，butIdidn\'t，\"answeredPolly。\"Someofitwassplendid；butagooddealofitmademewanttogoundertheseat。 Peopleseemedtolikeit，butIdon\'tthinkitwasproper。\" AsPollyfreedhermind，andemphasizedheropinionwithadecidedrapofthebootshehadjusttakenoff，Fannylaughed，andsaid，whileshepirouettedabouttheroom，likeMademoiselleTherese，\"Pollywasshocked，grandma。Hereyeswereasbigassaucers。herfaceasredasmysash，andonceIthoughtshewasgoingtocry。Someofitwasratherqueer； but，ofcourse，itwasproper，oralloursetwouldn\'tgo。IheardMrs。 SmythePerkinssay，\'Itwascharming；solikedearParis；\'andshehaslivedabroad；so，ofcourse，sheknowswhatiswhat。\" \"Idon\'tcareifshehas。Iknowitwasn\'tproperforlittlegirlstosee，orIshouldn\'thavebeensoashamed!\"criedsturdyPolly，perplexed，butnotconvinced，evenbyMrs。SmythePerkins。 \"Ithinkyouareright，mydear；butyouhavelivedinthecountry，andhaven\'tyetlearnedthatmodestyhasgoneoutoffashion。\"Andwithagood-nightkiss，grandmaleftPollytodreamdreadfullyofdancinginjockeycostume，onagreatstage；whileTomplayedabigdrumintheorchestra； andtheaudienceallworethefacesofherfatherandmother，lookingsorrowfullyather，witheyeslikesaucers，andfacesasredasFanny\'ssash。ChapterII。ChapterII。CHAPTERIINEWFASHIONS\"I\'Mgoingtoschoolthismorning；socomeupandgetready，\"saidFanny，adayortwoafter，assheleftthelatebreakfast-table。 \"Youlookverynice；whathaveyougottodo？\"askedPolly，followingherintothehall。 \"Prinkhalfanhour，andputonherwad，\"answeredtheirreverentTom，whosepreparationsforschoolconsistedinflinginghiscapontohishead，andstrappingupseveralbigbooks，thatlookedasiftheyweresometimesusedasweaponsofdefence。 \"Whatisawad？\"askedPolly，whileFannymarchedupwithoutdeigninganyreply。 \"Somebody\'shaironthetopofherheadintheplacewhereitoughtnottobe；\"andTomwentwhistlingawaywithanairofsublimeindifferenceastothestateofhisown\"curlypow。\" \"Whymustyoubesofinetogotoschool？\"askedPolly，watchingFanarrangethelittlefrizzlesonherforehead，andsettlethevariousstreamersandfestoonsbelongingtoherdress。 \"Allthegirlsdo；andit\'sproper，foryouneverknowwhoyoumaymeet。I\'mgoingtowalk，aftermylessons，soIwishyou\'dwearyourbesthatandsack，\"answeredFanny，tryingtostickherownhatonatananglewhichdefiedallthelawsofgravitation。 \"Iwill，ifyoudon\'tthinkthisisniceenough。Iliketheotherbest，becauseithasafeather；butthisiswarmer，soIweariteveryday。\" AndPollyranintoherownroom，toprinkalso，fearingthatherfriendmightbeashamedofherplaincostume。\"Won\'tyourhandsbecoldinkidgloves？\"shesaid，astheywentdownthesnowystreet，withanorthwindblowingintheirfaces。 \"Yes，horridcold；butmymuffissobig，Iwon\'tcarryit。Mammawon\'thaveitcutup，andmyermineonemustbekeptforbest；\"andFannysmoothedherBismarkkidswithaninjuredair。 \"Isupposemygraysquirreliseversomuchtoobig；butit\'sniceandcosy，andyoumaywarmyourhandsinitifyouwantto，\"saidPolly，surveyinghernewwoollengloveswithadissatisfiedlook，thoughshehadthoughtthemquiteelegantbefore。 \"PerhapsIwill，byandby。Now，Polly，don\'tyoubeshy。I\'llonlyintroducetwoorthreeofthegirls；andyouneedn\'tmindoldMonsieurabit，orreadifyoudon\'twantto。Weshallbeintheanteroom；soyou\'llonlyseeaboutadozen，andtheywillbesobusy，theywon\'tmindyoumuch。\" \"IguessIwon\'tread，butsitandlookon。Iliketowatchpeople，everythingissonewandqueerhere。\" ButPollydidfeelandlookveryshy，whenshewasusheredintoaroomfullofyoungladies，astheyseemedtoher，allverymuchdressed，alltalkingtogether，andallturningtoexaminethenew-comerwithacoolstarewhichseemedtobeasmuchthefashionaseye-glasses。TheynoddedaffablywhenFannyintroducedher，saidsomethingcivil，andmaderoomforheratthetableroundwhichtheysatwaitingforMonsieur。SeveralofthemorefrolicsomewereimitatingtheGrecianBend，somewereputtingtheirheadstogetheroverlittlenotes，nearlyallwereeatingconfectionery，andtheentiretwelvechatteredlikemagpies。Beingpolitelysuppliedwithcaramels，Pollysatlookingandlistening，feelingveryyoungandcountrifiedamongtheseelegantyoungladies。 \"Girls，doyouknowthatCarriehasgoneabroad？Therehasbeensomuchtalk，herfathercouldn\'tbearit，andtookthewholefamilyoff。Isn\'tthatgay？\"saidonelivelydamsel，whohadjustcomein。 \"Ishouldthinkthey\'dbettergo。Mymammasays，ifI\'dbeengoingtothatschool，she\'dhavetakenmestraightaway，\"answeredanothergirl，withanimportantair。 \"CarrieranawaywithanItalianmusic-teacher，anditgotintothepapers，andmadeagreatstir，\"explainedthefirstspeakertoPolly，wholookedmystified。 \"Howdreadful!\"criedPolly。 \"Ithinkitwasfun。Shewasonlysixteen，andhewasperfectlysplendid；andshehasplentyofmoney，andeveryonetalkedaboutit；andwhenshewentanywhere，peoplelooked，youknow，andshelikedit；butherpapaisanoldpoke，sohe\'ssentthemallaway。It\'stoobad，forshewasthejolliestthingIeverknew。\" PollyhadnothingtosaytolivelyMissBelle；butFannyobserved，\"I liketoreadaboutsuchthings；butit\'ssoinconvenienttohaveithappenrighthere，becauseitmakesitharderforus。Iwishyoucouldhaveheardmypapagoon。Hethreatenedtosendamaidtoschoolwithmeeveryday，astheydoinNewYork，tobesureIcomeallright。Didyouever？\" \"That\'sbecauseitcameoutthatCarrieusedtoforgeexcusesinhermamma\'sname，andgopromenadingwithherOreste，whentheythoughthersafeatschool。Oh，wasn\'tsheaslyminx？\"criedBelle，asifsheratheradmiredthetrick。 \"Ithinkalittlefunisallright；andthere\'snoneedofmakingatalk，if，nowandthen，someonedoesrunofflikeCarrie。Boysdoastheylike；andIdon\'tseewhygirlsneedtobekeptsodreadfullyclose。 I\'dliketoseeanybodywatchingandguardingme!\"addedanotherdashingyounglady。 \"Itwouldtakeapolicemantodothat，Trix，oralittlemaninatallhat，\"saidFanny，slyly，whichcausedagenerallaugh，andmadeBeatricetossherheadcoquettishly。 \"Oh，haveyouread\'ThePhantomBride\'？It\'sperfectlythrilling!There\'saregularrushforitatthelibrary；butsomeprefer\'BreakingaButterfly。\' Whichdoyoulikebest？\"askedapalegirlofPolly，inoneofthemomentarylullswhichoccurred。 \"Ihaven\'treadeither。\" \"Youmust，then。IadoreGuyLivingston\'sbooks，andYates\'s。\'Ouida\'s\' aremydelight，onlytheyaresolong，IgetwornoutbeforeI\'mthrough。\" \"Ihaven\'treadanythingbutoneoftheMuhlbachnovelssinceIcame。 Ilikethose，becausethereishistoryinthem，\"saidPolly，gladtohaveawordtosayforherself。 \"Thosearewellenoughforimprovingreading；butIlikerealexcitingnovels；don\'tyou？\" Pollywassparedthemortificationofowningthatshehadneverreadany，bytheappearanceofMousieur，agray-headedoldFrenchman，whowentthroughhistaskwiththeresignedairofonewhowasusedtobeingthevictimofgigglingschool-girls。Theyoungladiesgabbledoverthelesson，wroteanexercise，andreadalittleFrenchhistory。Butitdidnotseemtomakemuchimpressionuponthem，thoughMonsieurwasveryreadytoexplain； andPollyquiteblushedforherfriend，when，onbeingaskedwhatfamousFrenchmanfoughtinourRevolution，sheansweredLamartine，insteadofLafayette。 Thehourwassoonover；andwhenFanhadtakenamusiclessoninanotherroom，whilePollylookedon，itwastimeforrecess。Theyoungergirlswalkedupanddownthecourt，arminarm，eatingbreadanbutter；othersstayedintheschool-roomtoreadandgossip；butBelle，Trix，andFannywenttolunchatafashionableice-creamsaloonnearby，andPollymeeklyfollowed，notdaringtohintattheginger-breadgrandmahadputinherpocketforluncheon。Sothehonest，browncookiescrumbledawayinobscurity，whilePollytriedtosatisfyherheartyappetiteononeiceandthreemacaroons。 Thegirlsseemedingreatspirits，particularlyaftertheywerejoinedbyashortgentlemanwithsuchayoungfacethatPollywouldhavecalledhimaboy，ifhehadnotwornatallbeaver。Escortedbythisimpressiveyouth，Fannyleftherunfortunatefriendstoreturntoschool，andwenttowalk，asshecalledaslowpromenadedownthemostcrowdedstreets。