第2章

Pollydiscreetlyfellbehind，andamusedherselflookingintoshop-windows，tillFanny，mindfulofhermanners，evenatsuchaninterestingtime，tookherintoapicturegallery，andbadeherenjoytheworksofartwhiletheyrested。ObedientPollywentthroughtheroomseveraltimes，apparentlyexaminingthepictureswiththeinterestofaconnoisseur，andtryingnottohearthemildprattleofthepairontheroundseat。Butshecouldn\'thelpwonderingwhatFanfoundsoabsorbinginanaccountofarecentGerman，andwhysheneedpromisesosolemnlynottoforgettheconcertthatafternoon。 WhenFannyroseatlast，Polly\'stiredfacereproachedher；andtakingahastyleaveofthesmallgentleman，sheturnedhomeward，saying，confidentially，assheputonehandinPolly\'smuff，\"Now，mydear，youmustn\'tsayawordaboutFrankMoore，orpapawilltakemyheadoff。Idon\'tcareabitforhim，andhelikesTrix；onlytheyhavequarrelled，andhewantstomakehermadbyflirtingalittlewithme。Iscoldedhimwell，andhepromisedtomakeupwithher。Weallgototheafternoonconcerts，andhaveagaytime，andBelleandTrixaretobethereto-day；sojustkeepquiet，andeverythingwillbeallright。\" \"I\'mafraiditwon\'t，\"beganPolly，who，notbeingusedtosecrets，founditveryhardtokeepevenasmallone。 \"Don\'tworry，child。It\'snoneofourbusiness；sowecangoandenjoythemusic，andifotherpeopleflirt，itwon\'tbeourfault，\"saidFanny，impatiently。 \"Ofcoursenot；but，then，ifyourfatherdon\'tlikeyoutodoso，oughtyoutogo？\" \"Itellmamma，andshedon\'tcare。Papaisfussy，andgrandmamakesastirabouteveryblessedthingIdo。Youwillholdyourtongue，won\'tyou？\" \"Yes；Itrulywill；Inevertelltales。\"AndPollykeptherword，feelingsureFandidn\'tmeantodeceiveherfather，sinceshetoldhermothereverything。 \"Whoareyougoingwith？\"askedMrs。Shaw，whenFannymentionedthatitwasconcert-day，justbeforethreeo\'clock。 \"OnlyPolly；shelikesmusic，anditwassostormyIcouldn\'tgolastweek，youknow，\"answeredFan；adding，astheyleftthehouseagain，\"Ifanyonemeetsusontheway，Ican\'thelpit，canI？\" \"Youcantellthemnotto，can\'tyou？\" \"That\'srude。Dearme!here\'sBelle\'sbrotherGus­；healwaysgoes。Ismyhairallright，andmyhat？ BeforePollycouldanswer，Mr。Gusjoinedthemasamatterofcourse，andPollysoonfoundherselftrottingonbehind，feelingthatthingswerenot\"allright，\"thoughshedidn\'tknowhowtomendthem。Beingfondofmusic，sheignorantlysupposedthateveryoneelsewentforthatalone，andwasmuchdisturbedbythewhisperingthatwentonamongtheyoungpeopleroundher。BelleandTrixwerethereinfulldress；and，inthepausesbetweendifferentpieces，Messrs。FrankandGus，withseveralother\"splendidfellows，\"regaledtheyoungladieswithcollegegossip，andbitsofnewsfullofinterest，tojudgefromthecloseattentionpaidtotheireloquentremarks。Pollyregardedthesenoblebeingswithawe，andtheyrecognizedherexistencewiththecondescensionoftheirsex；buttheyevidentlyconsideredheronly\"aquietlittlething，\"andfindinghernotuptosocietytalk，blandlyignoredtheprettychild，anddevotedthemselvestotheyoungladies。 FortunatelyforPolly，sheforgotallabouttheminherenjoymentofthefinemusic，whichshefeltratherthanunderstood，andsatlisteningwithsuchahappyface，thatseveraltruemusic-loverswatchedhersmilingly，forherheartgaveablithewelcometothemelodywhichputthelittleinstrumentintune。Itwasduskwhentheywentout，andPollywasmuchrelievedtofindthecarriagewaitingforthem，becauseplayingthirdfiddlewasnottohertaste，andshehadhadenoughofitforoneday。 \"I\'mgladthosemenaregone；theydidworrymesotalking，whenI wantedtohear，\"saidPolly，astheyrolledaway。 \"Whichdidyoulikebest？\"askedFanny，withalanguidairofsuperiority。 \"Theplainone，whodidn\'tsaymuch；hepickedupmymuffwhenittumbleddown，andtookcareofmeinthecrowd；theothersdidn\'tmindanythingaboutme。\" \"Theythoughtyouwerealittlegirl，Isuppose。\" \"Mymothersaysarealgentlemanisaspolitetoalittlegirlastoawoman；soIlikeMr。Sydneybest，becausehewaskindtome。\" \"Whatasharpchildyouare，Polly。Ishouldn\'thavethoughtyou\'dmindthingslikethat，\"saidFanny，beginningtounderstandthattheremaybeagooddealofwomanlinesseveninalittlegirl。 \"I\'musedtogoodmanners，thoughIdoliveinthecountry，\"repliedPolly，ratherwarmly，forshedidn\'tliketobepatronizedevenbyherfriends。 \"Grandmasaysyourmotherisaperfectlady，andyouarejustlikeher； sodon\'tgetinapassionwiththosepoorfellows，andI\'llseethattheybehavebetternexttime。Tomhasnomannersatall，andyoudon\'tcomplainofhim，\"addedFan，withalaugh。 \"Idon\'tcareifhehasn\'t；he\'saboy，andactslikeone，andIcangetonwithhimagreatdealbetterthanIcanwiththosemen。\" FannywasjustgoingtotakePollytotaskforsaying\"thosemen\"insuchadisrespectfultone，whenbothwerestartledbyasmothered\"Cock-a-doodle-doo!\" fromundertheoppositeseat。 \"It\'sTom!\"criedFanny；andwiththewordsouttumbledthatincorrigibleboy，redintheface，andbreathlesswithsuppressedlaughter。Seatinghimself，hesurveyedthegirlsasifwellsatisfiedwiththesuccessofhisprank，andwaitingtobecongratulateduponit。\"Didyouhearwhatweweresaying？\"demandedFanny，uneasily。 \"Oh，didn\'tI，everyword？\"AndTomexultedoverthemvisibly。 \"Didyoueverseesuchaprovokingtoad，Polly？Now，Isupposeyou\'llgoandtellpapaagreatstory。\" \"P\'r\'apsIshall，andp\'r\'apsIshan\'t。HowPollydidhopwhenIcrowed! Iheardhersqueal，andsawhercuddleupherfeet。\" \"Andyouhearduspraiseyourmanners，didn\'tyou？\"askedPolly，slyly。 \"Yes，andyouliked\'em；soIwon\'ttellonyou，\"saidTom，withare-assuringnod。 \"There\'snothingtotell。\" \"Ain\'tthere，though？Whatdoyousupposethegovernorwillsaytoyougirlsgoingonsowiththosedandies？Isawyou。\" \"WhathastheGovernorofMassachusettstodowithus？\"askedPolly，tryingtolookasifshemeantwhatshesaid。 \"Pooh!youknowwhoImean；soyouneedn\'ttrytocatchmeup，asgrandmadoes。\" \"Tom，I\'llmakeabargainwithyou，\"criedFanny，eagerly。\"Itwasn\'tmyfaultthatGusandFrankwerethere，andIcouldn\'thelptheirspeakingtome。IdoaswellasIcan，andpapaneedn\'tbeangry；forIbehaveeversomuchbetterthansomeofthegirls。Don\'tI，Polly？\" \"Bargain？\"observedTom，withaneyetobusiness。 \"Ifyouwon\'tgoandmakeafuss，tellingwhatyou\'dnorighttohear­；itwassomeantohideandlisten；Ishouldthinkyou\'dbeashamedofit!­；I \'llhelpyouteaseforyourvelocipede，andwon\'tsayawordagainstit，whenmammaandgrannybegpapanottoletyouhaveit。\" \"Willyou？\"andTompausedtoconsidertheofferinallitsbearings。 \"Yes，andPollywillhelp；won\'tyou？\" \"I\'drathernothaveanythingtodowithit；butI\'llbequiet，andnotdoanyharm。\" \"Whywon\'tyou？\"askedTom，curiously。 \"Becauseitseemslikedeceiving。\" \"Well，papaneedn\'tbesofussy，\"saidFan，petulantly。 \"AfterhearingaboutthatCarrie，andtherest，Idon\'twonderheisfussy。Whydon\'tyoutellrightout，andnotdoitanymore，ifhedon\'twantyouto？\"saidPolly，persuasively。 \"Doyougoandtellyourfatherandmothereverythingrightout？\" \"Yes，Ido；anditsaveseversomuchtrouble。\" \"Ain\'tyouafraidofthem？\" \"OfcourseI\'mnot。It\'shardtotellsometimes；butit\'ssocomfortablewhenit\'sover。\" \"Let\'s!\"wasTom\'sbriefadvice。 \"Mercyme!whatafussaboutnothing!\"saidFanny，readytocrywithvexation。 \"Tisn\'tnothing。Youknowyouareforbiddentogogallivantingroundwiththosechaps，andthat\'sthereasonyou\'reinapuckernow。Iwon\'tmakeanybargain，andIwilltell，\"returnedTom，seizedwithasuddenfitofmoralfirmness。 \"WillyouifIpromisenever，nevertodosoanymore？\"askedFanny，meekly；forwhenThomastookmattersintohisownhands，hissisterusuallysubmittedinspiteofherself。 \"I\'llthinkaboutit；andifyoubehave，maybeIwon\'tdoitatall。 Icanwatchyoubetterthanpapacan；so，ifyoutryitagain，it\'sallupwithyou，miss，\"saidTom，findingitimpossibletoresistthepleasureoftyrannizingalittlewhenhegotthechance。 \"Shewon\'t；don\'tplagueheranymore，andshewillbegoodtoyouwhenyougetintoscrapes，\"answeredPolly，withherarmroundFan。 \"Ineverdo；andifIdid，Ishouldn\'taskagirltohelpmeout。\" \"Whynot？I\'daskyouinaminute，ifIwasintrouble，\"saidPolly，inherconfidingway。 \"Wouldyou？Well，I\'dputyouthrough，assureasmyname\'sTomShaw。 Now，then，don\'tslip，Polly，\"andMr。Thomashelpedthemoutwithunusualpoliteness，forthatfriendlylittlespeechgratifiedhim。Hefeltthatonepersonappreciatedhim；andithadagoodeffectuponmannersandtempermaderoughandbelligerentbyconstantsnubbingandopposition。 Afterteathatevening，FannyproposedthatPollyshouldshowherhowtomakemolassescandy，asitwascook\'sholiday，andthecoastwouldbeclear。Hopingtopropitiatehertormentor，FaninvitedTomtojoinintherevel，andPollybeggedthatMaudmightsitupandseethefun；soallfourdescendedtothebigkitchen，armedwithaprons，hammers，spoons，andpans，andPollyassumedcommandoftheforces。Tomwassettocrackingnuts，andMaudtopickingoutthemeats，forthecandywastobe\"tip-top。\" FanwaitedonPollycook，whohoveredoverthekettleofboilingmolassestillherfacewasthecolorofapeony。\"Now，putinthenuts，\"shesaidatlast；andTomemptiedhisplateintothefoamysyrup，whiletheotherswatchedwithdeepinterestthemysteriousconcoctionofthiswell-belovedsweetmeat。\"Ipouritintothebutteredpan，yousee，anditcools，andthenwecaneatit，\"explainedPolly，suitingtheactiontotheword。 \"Why，it\'sallfullofshells!\"exclaimedMaud，peeringintothepan。 \"Oh，thunder!Imusthaveput\'eminbymistake，andateupthemeatswithoutthinking，\"saidTom，tryingtoconcealhisnaughtysatisfaction，asthegirlshungoverthepanwithfacesfullofdisappointmentanddespair。 \"Youdiditonpurpose，youhorridboy!I\'llneverletyouhaveanythingtodowithmyfunagain!\"criedFan，inapassion，tryingtocatchandshakehim，whilehedodgedandchuckledinhighglee。 Maudbegantowailoverherlostdelight，andPollygravelypokedatthemess，whichwasquitespoilt。Butherattentionwasspeedilydivertedbythesquabblegoingoninthecorner；forFanny，forgetfulofheryoung-ladyismandhersixteenyears，hadboxedTom\'sears，andTom，resentingtheinsult，hadforciblyseatedherinthecoal-hod，whereheheldherwithonehandwhilehereturnedthecomplimentwiththeother。Bothwereveryangry，andkepttwittingoneanotherwitheveryaggravationtheycouldinvent，astheyscoldedandscuffled，presentingamostunlovelyspectacle。 Pollywasnotamodelgirlbyanymeans，andhadherlittlepetsandtempersliketherestofus；butshedidn\'tfight，scream，andsquabblewithherbrothersandsistersinthisdisgracefulway，andwasmuchsurprisedtoseeherelegantfriendinsuchapassion。\"Oh，don\'t!Please，don\'t! You\'llhurther，Tom!Lethimgo，Fanny!It\'snomatteraboutthecandy； wecanmakesomemore!\"criedPolly，tryingtopartthem，andlookingsodistressed，thattheystoppedashamed，andinaminutesorrythatsheshouldseesuchadisplayoftemper。 \"Iain\'tgoingtobehustledround；soyou\'dbetterletmealone，Fan，\" saidTom，drawingoffwithathreateningwagofthehead，adding，inadifferenttone，\"Ionlyputtheshellsinforfun，Polly。Youcookanotherkettleful，andI\'llpickyousomemeatsallfair。Willyou？\" \"It\'sprettyhotwork，andit\'sapitytowastethings；butI\'lltryagain，ifyouwantmeto，\"saidPolly，withapatientsigh，forherarmsweretiredandherfaceuncomfortablyhot。 \"Wedon\'twantyou；getaway!\"saidMaud，shakingastickyspoonathim。 \"Keepquiet，cry-baby。I\'mgoingtostayandhelp；mayn\'tI，Polly？\" \"Bearslikesweetthings，soyouwantsomecandy，Iguess。Whereisthemolasses？We\'veusedupalltherewasinthejug，\"saidPolly，good-naturedly，beginningagain。 \"Downcellar；I\'llgetit；\"andtakingthelampandjug，Tomdeparted，bentondoinghisdutynowlikeasaint。 Themomenthislightvanished，Fannyboltedthedoor，saying，spitefully，\"Now，wearesafefromanymoretricks。Lethimthumpandcall，itonlyserveshimright；andwhenthecandyisdone，we\'lllettherascalout。\" \"Howcanwemakeitwithoutmolasses？\"askedPolly，thinkingthatwouldsettlethematter。 \"There\'splentyinthestore-room。No；youshan\'tlethimuptillI \'mready。He\'sgottolearnthatI\'mnottobeshakenbyalittlechitlikehim。Makeyourcandy，andlethimalone，orI\'llgoandtellpapa，andthenTomwillgetalecture。\" Pollythoughtitwasn\'tfair；butMaudclamoredforhercandy，andfindingshecoulddonothingtoappeaseFan，Pollydevotedhermindtohercookerytillthenutsweresafelyin，andanicepanfulsetintheyardtocool。Afewbangsatthelockeddoor，afewthreatsofvengeancefromtheprisoner，suchassettingthehouseonfire，drinkingupthewine，andmashingthejelly-pots，andthenallwassoquietthatthegirlsforgothimintheexcitingcrisisoftheirwork。 \"Hecan\'tpossiblygetoutanywhere，andassoonwe\'vecutupthecandy，we\'llunboltthedoorandrun。Comeandgetanicedishtoputitin，\" saidFan，whenPollyproposedtogohalveswithTom，lestheshouldcomeburstinginsomehow，andseizethewhole。 Whentheycamedownwiththedishinwhichtosetforththeirtreat，andopenedtheback-doortofindit，imaginetheirdismayondiscoveringthatitwasgone，­；pan，candy，andall，­；utterlyandmysteriouslygone! Agenerallamentarose，whenacarefulrummageleftnohopes；forthefateshadevidentlydecreedatcandywasnottoprosperonthisunpropitiousnight。 \"Thehotpanhasmeltedandsunkinthesnowperhaps，\"saidFanny，diggingintothedriftwhereitwasleft。 \"Thoseoldcatshavegotit，Iguess，\"suggestedMaud，toomuchoverwhelmedbythissecondblowtohowlasusual。 \"Thegateisn\'tlocked，andsomebeggarhasstolenit。Ihopeitwilldohimgood，\"addedPolly，turningfromherexploringexpedition。 \"IfTomcouldgetout，Ishouldthinkhe\'dcarrieditoff；butnotbeingarat，hecan\'tgothroughthebitsofwindows；soitwasn\'thim，\"saidFanny，disconsolately，forshebegantothinkthisdoublelossapunishmentforlettingangrypassionsrise，\"Let\'sopenthedoorandtellhimaboutit，\"proposedPolly。 \"He\'llcrowoverus。No；we\'llopenitandgotobed，andhecancomeoutwhenhelikes。Provokingboy!ifhehadn\'tplaguedusso，weshouldhavehadanicetime。\" Unboltingthecellardoor，thegirlsannouncedtotheinvisiblecaptivethattheywerethrough，andthendepartedmuchdepressed。Half-wayupthesecondflight，theyallstoppedassuddenlyasiftheyhadseenaghost； forlookingoverthebanisterswasTom\'sface，crockybuttriumphant，andineitherhandajunkofcandy，whichhewavedabovethemashevanished，withthetantalizingremark，\"Don\'tyouwishyouhadsome？\" \"Howintheworlddidhegetout？\"criedFanny，steadyingherselfafterastartthatnearlysentallthreetumblingdownstairs。 \"Coal-hole!\"answeredaspectralvoicefromthegloomabove。 \"Goodgracious!Hemusthavepokedupthecover，climbedintothestreet，stolethecandy，andsneakedinattheshed-windowwhilewewerelookingforit。\" \"Catsgotit，didn\'tthey？\"jeeredthevoiceinatonethatmadePollysitdownandlaughtillshecouldn\'tlaughanylonger。 \"JustgiveMaudabit，she\'ssodisappointed。FanandIaresickofit，andsowillyoube，ifyoueatitall，\"calledPolly，whenshegotherbreath。 \"Gotobed，Maudie，andlookunderyourpillowwhenyougetthere，\" wastheoracularreplythatcamedowntothem，asTom\'sdoorclosedafterajubilantsoloonthetinpan。 Thegirlswenttobedtiredout；andMaudslumberedplacidly，huggingthestickybundle，foundwheremolassescandyisnotoftendiscovered。 Pollywasverytired，andsoonfellasleep；butFanny，whosleptwithher，layawakelongerthanusual，thinkingabouthertroubles，forherheadached，andthedissatisfactionthatfollowsangerwouldnotletherrestwiththetranquillitythatmadetherosyfaceinthelittleroundnightcapsuchapleasantsighttoseeasitlaybesideher。Thegaswasturneddown，butFannysawafigureinagraywrappercreepbyherdoor，andpresentlyreturn，pausingtolookin。\"Whoisit？\"shecried，soloudthatPollywoke。 \"Onlyme，dear，\"answeredgrandma\'smildvoice。\"PoorTomhasgotadreadfultoothache，andIcamedowntofindsomecreosoteforhim。Hetoldmenottotellyou；butIcan\'tfindthebottle，anddon\'twanttodisturbmamma。\" \"It\'sinmycloset。OldTomwillpayforhistrickthistime，\"saidFanny，inasatisfiedtone。 \"Ithoughthe\'dgetenoughofourcandy，\"laughedPolly；andthentheyfellasleep，leavingTomtothedelightsoftoothacheandthetendermerciesofkindoldgrandma。ChapterIII。ChapterIII。CHAPTERIIIPOLLY\'STROUBLESPOLLYsoonfoundthatshewasinanewworld，aworldwherethemannersandcustomsweresodifferentfromthesimplewaysathome，thatshefeltlikeastrangerinastrangeland，andoftenwishedthatshehadnotcome。 Inthefirstplace，shehadnothingtodobutloungeandgossip，readnovels，paradethestreets，anddress；andbeforeaweekwasgone，shewasasheartilysickofallthis，asahealthypersonwouldbewhoattemptedtoliveonconfectionery。Fannylikedit，becauseshewasusedtoit，andhadneverknownanythingbetter；butPollyhad，andoftenfeltlikealittlewood-birdshutupinagildedcage。Nevertheless，shewasmuchimpressedbytheluxuriesallabouther，enjoyedthem，wishedsheownedthem，andwonderedwhytheShawswerenotahappierfamily。Shewasnotwiseenoughtoknowwherethetroublelay；shedidnotattempttosaywhichofthetwoliveswastherightone；sheonlyknewwhichshelikedbest，andsupposeditwasmerelyanotherofher\"old-fashioned\"ways。 Fanny\'sfriendsdidnotinteresthermuch；shewasratherafraidofthem，theyseemedsomucholderandwiserthanherself，eventhoseyoungerinyears。TheytalkedaboutthingsofwhichsheknewnothingandwhenFannytriedtoexplain，shedidn\'tfindtheminteresting；indeed，someofthemrathershockedandpuzzledher；sothegirlsletheralone，beingcivilwhentheymet，butevidentlyfeelingthatshewastoo\"odd\"tobelongtotheirset。ThensheturnedtoMaudforcompanionship，forherownlittlesisterwasexcellentcompany，andPollylovedherdearly。ButMissMaudwasmuchabsorbedinherownaffairs，forshebelongedtoa\"set\"also； andthesemitesoffiveandsixhadtheir\"musicals，\"theirparties，receptions，andpromenades，aswellastheirelders；and，thechiefideaoftheirlittlelivesseemedtobetoapethefashionablefolliestheyshouldhavebeentooinnocenttounderstand。Maudhadhertinycard-case，andpaidcalls，\"likemammaandFan\"；herboxofdaintygloves，herjewel-drawer，hercrimping-pins，asfineandfancifulawardrobeasaParisdoll，andaFrenchmaidtodressher。Pollycouldn\'tgetonwithheratfirst，forMauddidn\'tseemlikeachild，andoftencorrectedPollyinherconversationandmanners，thoughlittlemademoiselle\'sownwereanythingbutperfect。Nowandthen，whenMaudfeltpoorly，orhada\"fwactious\"turn，forshehad\"nerves\"aswellasmamma，shewouldgotoPollyto\"beamoosed，\"forhergentlewaysandkindforbearancesoothedthelittlefineladybetterthananythingelse。 Pollyenjoyedthesetimes，andtoldstories，playedgames，orwentoutwalking，justasMaudliked，slowlyandsurelywinningthechild\'sheart，andrelievingthewholehouseoftheyoungtyrantwhoruledit。 TomsoongotoverstaringatPolly，andatfirstdidnottakemuchnoticeofher，for，inhisopinion，\"girlsdidn\'tamounttomuch，anyway\"；and，considering，thestyleofgirlheknewmostabout，Pollyquiteagreedwithhim。Heoccasionallyrefreshedhimselfbyteasingher，toseehowshe\'dstandit，andcausedPollymuchanguishofspirit，forsheneverknewwherehewouldtakehernext。Hebouncedoutatherfrombehinddoors，booedatherindarkentries，clutchedherfeetasshewentupstairs，startledherbyshrillwhistlesrightinherear，orsuddentweaksofthehairashepassedherinthestreet；andassureastherewascompanytodinner，hefixedhisroundeyesonher，andnevertookthemofftillshewasreducedtoapiteousstateofconfusionanddistress。Sheusedtobeghimnottoplagueher；buthesaidhediditforhergood；shewastooshy，andneededtougheningliketheothergirls。Invainsheprotestedthatshedidn\'twanttobeliketheothergirlsinthatrespect；heonlylaughedinherface，stuckhisredhairstraightupalloverhishead，andglaredather，tillshefledindismay。 YetPollyratherlikedTom，forshesoonsawthathewasneglected，hustledoutoftheway，andlefttogetonprettymuchbyhimself。Sheoftenwonderedwhyhismotherdidn\'tpethimasshedidthegirls；whyhisfatherorderedhimaboutasifhewasabornrebel，andtooksolittleinterestinhisonlyson。Fannyconsideredhimabear，andwasashamedofhim；butnevertriedtopolishhimupabit；andMaudandhelivedtogetherlikeacatanddogwhodidnotbelongtoa\"happyfamily。\"GrandmawastheonlyonewhostoodbypooroldTom；andPollymorethanoncediscoveredhimdoingsomethingkindforMadam，andseemingverymuchashamedwhenitwasfoundout。Hewasn\'trespectfulatall；hecalledher\"theoldlady，\"andtoldherhe\"wouldn\'tbefussedover\"；butwhenanythingwasthematter，healwayswentto\"theoldlady，\"andwasverygratefulforthe\"fussing。\"Pollylikedhimforthis，andoftenwantedtospeakofit； butshehadafeelingthatitwouldn\'tdo，forinpraisingtheiraffection，shewasreproachingotherswithneglect；sosheheldhertongue，andthoughtaboutitallthemore。 Grandmawasratherneglected，too，andperhapsthatisthereasonwhyTomandsheweresuchgoodfriends。Shewasevenmoreold-fashionedthanPolly；butpeopledidn\'tseemtominditsomuchinher，asherdaywassupposedtobeover，andnothingwasexpectedofherbuttokeepoutofeverybody\'sway，andtobehandsomelydressedwhensheappeared\"beforepeople。\"Grandmaledaquiet，solitarylifeinherownrooms，fullofoldfurniture，pictures，books，andrelicsofapastforwhichnoonecaredbutherself。Hersonwentupeveryeveningforalittlecall，wasverykindtoher，andsawthatshewantednothingmoneycouldbuy；buthewasabusyman，sointentongettingrichthathehadnotimetoenjoywhathealreadypossessed。Madamnevercomplained，interfered，orsuggested； buttherewasasadsortofquietudeabouther，awistfullookinherfadedeyes，asifshewantedsomethingwhichmoneycouldnotbuy，andwhenchildrenwerenear，shehoveredaboutthem，evidentlylongingtocuddleandcaressthemasonlygrandmotherscan。Pollyfeltthis；andasshemissedthehome-petting，gladlyshowedthatshelikedtoseethequietoldfacebrighten，assheenteredthesolitaryroom，wherefewchildrencame，exceptthephantomsoflittlesonsanddaughters，who，tothemotherlyheartthatlovedthem，neverfadedorgrewup。Pollywishedthechildrenwouldbekindertograndma； butitwasnotforhertotellthemso，althoughittroubledheragooddeal，andshecouldonlytrytomakeupforitbybeingasdutifulandaffectionateasiftheirgrandmawasherown。 AnotherthingthatdisturbedPollywasthewantofexercise。Todressupandparadecertainstreetsforanhoureveryday，tostandtalkingindoorways，ordriveoutinafinecarriage，wasnotthesortofexercisesheliked，andFanwouldtakenoother。Indeed，shewassoshocked，whenPolly，oneday，proposedarundownthemall，thatherfriendneverdaredsuggestsuchathingagain。Athome，Pollyranandrode，coastedandskated，jumpedropeandrakedhay，workedinhergardenandrowedherboat；sonowondershelongedforsomethingmorelivelythanadailypromenadewithaflockofgiddygirls，whotiltedalonginhigh-heeledboots，andcostumeswhichmadePollyashamedtobeseenwithsomeofthem。Sosheusedtoslipoutalonesometimes，whenFannywasabsorbedinnovels，company，ormillinery，andgetfinebriskwalksroundthepark，ontheunfashionableside，wherethebabiestooktheirairings；orshewentinside，towatchtheboyscoasting，andtowishshecouldcoasttoo，asshedidathome。Sheneverwentfar，andalwayscamebackrosyandgay。 Oneafternoon，justbeforedinner，shefeltsotiredofdoingnothing，thatsheslippedoutforarun。Ithadbeenadullday；butthesunwasvisiblenow，settingbrightlybelowtheclouds。ItwascoldbutstillandPollytrotteddownthesmooth，snow-coveredmallhummingtoherself，andtryingnottofeelhomesick。Thecoasterswereatitwithalltheirmight，andshewatchedthem，tillherlongingtojointhefungrewirresistible。 Onthehill，somelittlegirlswereplayingwiththeirsleds，­；reallittlegirls，inwarmhoodsandcoats，rubberbootsandmittens，­；andPollyfeltdrawntowardtheminspiteofherfearofFan。 \"Iwanttogodown，butIdarsn\'t，it\'ssosteep，\"saidoneofthese\"commonchildren，\"asMaudcalledthem。 \"Ifyou\'lllendmeyoursled，andsitinmylap，I\'lltakeyoudownallnice，\"answeredPolly，inaconfidentialtone。 Thelittlegirlstookalookather，seemedsatisfied，andacceptedheroffer。Pollylookedcarefullyroundtoseethatnofashionableeyebeheldtheawfuldeed，andfindingallsafe，settledherfreight，andspunawaydownhill，feelingalloverthedelightsomeexcitementofswiftmotionwhichmakescoastingsuchafavoritepastimewiththemoresensibleportionofthechild-world。Oneafteranother，shetookthelittlegirlsdownthehillanddraggedthemupagain，whiletheyregardedherinthelightofagray-coatedangel，descendedfortheirexpressbenefit。Pollywasjustfinishingoffwithonedelicious\"go\"allbyherself，whensheheardafamiliarwhistlebehindher，andbeforeshecouldgetoff，upcameTom，lookingasmuchastonishedasifhehadfoundhermounted，onanelephant。 \"Hullo，Polly!What\'llFansaytoyou？\"washispolishedsalutation。 \"Don\'tknow，anddon\'tcare。Coastingisnoharm；Ilikeit，andI\'mgoingtodoit，nowI\'vegotachance；soclearthelul-la!\"AndawaywentindependentPolly，withherhairblowinginthewind，andanexpressionofgenuineenjoyment，whichaveryrednosedidn\'tdamageintheleast。 \"Goodforyou，Polly!\"Andcastinghimselfuponhissled，withthemostrecklessdisregardforhisribs，offwhizzedTomafterher，andcamealongsidejustasshereinedup\"GeneralGrant\"onthebroadpathbelow。\"Oh，won\'tyougetitwhenwegohome？\"criedtheyounggentleman，evenbeforehechangedhisgracefulattitude。 \"Ishan\'t，ifyoudon\'tgoandtell；butofcourseyouwill，\"addedPolly，sittingstill，whileananxiousexpressionbegantostealoverherhappyface。 \"Ijustwon\'t，then，\"returnedTom，withthenaturalperversityofhistribe。 \"Iftheyaskme，Ishalltell，ofcourse；iftheydon\'task，Ithinkthere\'snoharminkeepingstill。Ishouldn\'thavedoneit，ifIhadn\'tknownmymotherwaswilling；butIdon\'twishtotroubleyourmotherbytellingofit。Doyouthinkitwasverydreadfulofme？\"askedPolly，lookingathim。 \"Ithinkitwasdownrightjolly；andIwon\'ttell，ifyoudon\'twantmeto。Now，comeupandhaveanother，\"saidTom，heartily。 \"Justonemore；thelittlegirlswanttogo，thisistheirsled。\" \"Let\'emtakeit，itisn\'tgoodformuch；andyoucomeonmine。Mazeppa\'sastunner；youseeifheisn\'t。\" SoPollytuckedherselfupinfront，Tomhungonbehindinsomemysteriousmanner，andMazeppaprovedthathefullymeritedhismaster\'ssincereifinelegantpraise。Theygotoncapitallynow，forTomwasinhispropersphere，andshowedhisbestside，beingcivilandgayinthebluffboy-fashionthatwasnaturaltohim；whilePollyforgottobeshy，andlikedthissortof\"toughening\"muchbetterthantheother。Theylaughedandtalked，andkepttaking\"justonemore，\"tillthesunshinewasallgone，andtheclocksstruckdinner-time。 \"Weshallbelate；let\'srun，\"saidPolly，astheycameintothepathafterthelastcoast。 \"Youjustsitstill，andI\'llgetyouhomeinajiffy；\"andbeforeshecouldunpackherself，Tomtrottedoffwithheratafinepace。 \"Here\'sapairofcheeks!Iwishyou\'dgetacolorlikethis，Fanny，\" saidMr。Shaw，asPollycameintothedining-roomaftersmoothingherhair。 \"Yournoseisasredasthatcranberrysauce，\"answeredFan，comingoutofthebigchairwhereshehadbeencurledupforanhourortwo，deepin\"LadyAudley\'sSecret。\" \"Soitis，\"saidPolly，shuttingoneeyetolookattheoffendingfeature。 \"Nevermind；I\'vehadagoodtime，anyway，\"sheadded，givingalittlepranceinherchair。 \"Idon\'tseemuchfuninthesecoldrunsyouaresofondoftaking，\" saidFanny，withayawnandashiver。 \"Perhapsyouwouldifyoutriedit；\"andPollylaughedassheglancedatTom。 \"Didyougoalone，dear？\"askedgrandma，pattingtherosycheekbesideher。 \"Yes\'m；butImetTom，andwecamehometogether。\"Polly\'seyestwinkledwhenshesaidthat，andTomchokedinhissoup。 \"Thomas，leavethetable!\"commandedMr。Shaw，ashisincorrigiblesongurgledandgaspedbehindhisnapkin。 \"Pleasedon\'tsendhimaway，sir。Imadehimlaugh，\"saidPolly，penitently。 \"What\'sthejoke？\"askedFanny，wakingupatlast。 \"Ishouldn\'tthinkyou\'dmakehimlaugh，whenhe\'salwaysmakingyoucwy，\"observedMaud，whohadjustcomein。 \"Whathaveyoubeendoingnow，sir？\"demandedMr。Shaw，asTomemerged，redandsolemn，fromhisbriefobscurity。 \"Nothingbutcoast，\"hesaid，gruffly，forpapawasalwayslecturinghim，andlettingthegirlsdojustastheyliked。 \"So\'sPolly；Isawher。MeandBlanchewerecominghomejustnow，andwesawherandTomwidingdownthehillonhissled，andthenhedwaggedhereversofar!\"criedMaud，withhermouthfull。 \"Youdidn\'t？\"andFannydroppedherforkwithascandalizedface。 \"Yes，Idid，andlikediteversomuch，\"answeredPolly，lookinganxiousbutresolute。 \"Didanyoneseeyou？\"criedFanny。 \"Onlysomelittlegirls，andTom。\" \"Itwashorridlyimproper；andTomoughttohavetoldyouso，ifyoudidn\'tknowanybetter。Ishouldbemortifiedtodeathifanyofmyfriendssawyou，\"addedFan，muchdisturbed。 \"Now，don\'tyouscold。It\'snoharm，andPollyshallcoastifshewantsto；mayn\'tshe，grandma？\"criedTom，gallantlycomingtotherescue，andsecuringapowerfulally。 \"Mymotherletsme；andifIdon\'tgoamongtheboys，Ican\'tseewhatharmthereisinit，\"saidPolly，beforeMadamcouldspeak。 \"Peopledomanythingsinthecountrythatarenotproperhere，\"beganMrs。Shaw，inherreprovingtone。 \"Letthechilddoitifshelikes，andtakeMaudwithher。Ishouldbegladtohaveoneheartygirlinmyhouse，\"interruptedMr。Shaw，andthatwastheendofit。 \"Thankyou，sir，\"saidPolly，gratefully，andnoddedatTom，whotelegraphedback\"Allright!\"andfelluponhisdinnerwiththeappetiteofayoungwolf。 \"Oh，yously-boots!you\'regettingupaflirtationwithTom，areyou？\" whisperedFannytoherfriend，asifmuchamused。 \"What!\"andPollylookedsosurprisedandindignant，thatFannywasashamedofherself，andchangedthesubjectbytellinghermothersheneededsomenewgloves。 Pollywasveryquietafterthat，andtheminutedinnerwasover，shelefttheroomtogoandhaveaquiet\"think\"aboutthewholematter。Beforeshegothalf-wayupstairs，shesawTomcomingafter，andimmediatelysatdowntoguardherfeet。Helaughed，andsaid，asheperchedhimselfonthepostofthebanisters，\"Iwon\'tgrabyou，honorbright。Ijustwantedtosay，ifyou\'llcomeoutto-morrowsometime，we\'llhaveagoodcoast。\" \"No，\"saidPolly，\"Ican\'tcome。\" \"Whynot？Areyoumad？Ididn\'ttell。\"AndTomlookedamazedatthechangewhichhadcomeoverher。 \"No；youkeptyourword，andstoodbymelikeagoodboy。I\'mnotmad，either；butIdon\'tmeantocoastanymore。Yourmotherdon\'tlikeit。\" \"Thatisn\'tthereason，Iknow。Younoddedtomeaftershe\'dfreedhermind，andyoumeanttogothen。Come，now，whatisit？\" \"Ishan\'ttellyou；butI\'mnotgoing，\"wasPolly\'sdeterminedanswer。 \"Well，Ididthinkyouhadmoresensethanmostgirls；butyouhaven\'t，andIwouldn\'tgiveasixpenceforyou。\" \"That\'spolite，\"saidPolly，gettingruffled。 \"Well，Ihatecowards。\"