第3章

\"Iain\'tacoward。\" \"Yes，youare。You\'reafraidofwhatfolkswillsay；ain\'tyou，now？\" Pollyknewshewas，andheldherpeace，thoughshelongedtospeak； buthowcouldshe？ \"Ah，Iknewyou\'dbackout。\"AndTomwalkedawaywithanairofscornthatcutPollytotheheart。 \"It\'stoobad!Justashewasgrowingkindtome，andIwasgoingtohaveagoodtime，it\'sallspoiltbyFan\'snonsense。Mrs。Shawdon\'tlikeit，norgrandmaeither，Idaresay。There\'llbeafussifIgo，andFanwillplagueme；soI\'llgiveitup，andletTomthinkI\'mafraid。Oh，dear!Ineverdidseesuchridiculouspeople。\" Pollyshutherdoorhard，andfeltreadytocrywithvexation，thatherpleasureshouldbespoiltbysuchasillyidea；for，ofallthesillyfreaksofthisfastage，thatoflittlepeopleplayingatloveisaboutthesilliest。Pollyhadbeentaughtthatitwasaveryseriousandsacredthing；and，accordingtohernotions，itwasfarmoreimpropertoflirtwithoneboythantocoastwithadozen。Shehadbeenmuchamazed，onlythedaybefore，tohearMaudsaytohermother，\"Mamma，mustIhaveabeau？ Thegirlsalldo，andsayIoughttohaveFweddyLovell；butIdon\'tlikehimaswellasHawryFiske。\" \"Oh，yes；I\'dhavealittlesweetheart，dear，it\'ssocunning，\"answeredMrs。Shaw。AndMaudannouncedsoonafterthatshewasengagedto\"Fweddy，\'causeHawryslappedher\"whensheproposedthematch。 Pollylaughedwiththerestatthetime；butwhenshethoughtofitafterward，andwonderedwhatherownmotherwouldhavesaid，iflittleKittyhadputsuchaquestion，shedidn\'tfinditcunningorfunny，butridiculousandunnatural。Shefeltsonowaboutherself；andwhenherfirstpetulancewasover，resolvedtogiveupcoastingandeverythingelse，ratherthanhaveanynonsensewithTom，who，thankstohisneglectededucation，wasasignorantasherselfofthecharmsofthisnewamusementforschool-children。 SoPollytriedtoconsoleherselfbyjumpingropeintheback-yard，andplayingtagwithMaudinthedrying-room，whereshelikewisegavelessonsin\"nas-gim-nics，\"asMaudcalledit，whichdidthatlittlepersongood。 Fannycameupsometimestoteachthemanewdancingstep，andmorethanoncewasbetrayedintoagameofromps，forwhichshewasnonetheworse。 ButTomturnedacoldshouldertoPolly，andmadeitevident，byhiscavaliermannerthathereallydidn\'tthinkher\"worthasixpence。\" AnotherthingthattroubledPollywasherclothes，for，thoughnoonesaidanything，sheknewtheywereveryplain；andnowandthenshewishedthatherblueandmousecoloredmerinoswererathermoretrimmed，hersasheshadbiggerbows，andherlittlerufflesmorelaceonthem。Shesighedforalocket，and，forthefirsttimeinherlife，thoughtseriouslyofturningupherprettycurlsandputtingona\"wad。\"Shekeptthesediscontentstoherself，however，aftershehadwrittentoaskhermotherifshemighthaveherbestdressalteredlikeFanny\'s，andreceivedthisreply: \"No，dear；thedressisproperandbecomingasitis，andtheoldfashionofsimplicitythebestforallofus。Idon\'twantmyPollytobelovedforherclothes，butforherself；soweartheplainfrocksmothertooksuchpleasureinmakingforyou，andletthepanniersgo。Theleastofushavesomeinfluenceinthisbigworld；andperhapsmylittlegirlcandosomegoodbyshowingothersthatacontentedheartandahappyfacearebetterornamentsthananyPariscangiveher。Youwantalocket，deary； soIsendonethatmymothergavemeyearsago。Youwillfindfather\'sfaceononeside，mineontheother；andwhenthingstroubleyou，justlookatyourtalisman，andIthinkthesunshinewillcomebackagain。\" Ofcourseitdid，forthebestofallmagicwasshutupinthequaintlittlecasethatPollyworeinsideherfrock，andkissedsotenderlyeachnightandmorning。Thethoughtthat，insignificantasshewas，sheyetmightdosomegood，madeherverycarefulofheractsandwords，andsoanxioustokeepheadcontentedandfacehappy，thatsheforgotherclothes，andmadeothersdothesame。Shedidnotknowit，butthatgoodoldfashionofsimplicitymadetheplaingownspretty，andthegraceofunconsciousnessbeautifiedtheirlittlewearerwiththecharmthatmakesgirlhoodsweetesttothosewhotrulyloveandreverenceit。OnetemptationPollyhadalreadyyieldedtobeforethelettercame，andrepentedheartilyofafterward。 \"Polly，Iwishyou\'dletmecallyouMarie，\"saidFannyoneday，astheywereshoppingtogether。 \"YoumaycallmeMary，ifyoulike；butIwon\'thaveanyieputontomyname。I\'mPollyathomeandI\'mfondofbeingcalledso；butMarieisFrenchifiedandsilly。\" \"Ispellmyownnamewithanie，andsodoallthegirls。\" \"AndwhatajumbleofNetties，Nellies，Hatties，andSalliesthereis。 How\'Pollie\'wouldlookspeltso!\" \"Well，nevermind；thatwasn\'twhatIbegantosay。There\'sonethingyoumusthave，andthatis，bronzeboots，\"saidFan，impressively。 \"WhymustI，whenI\'vegotenoughwithout？\" \"Becauseit\'sthefashiontohavethem，andyoucan\'tbefinishedoffproperlywithout。I\'mgoingtogetapair，andsomustyou。\" \"Don\'ttheycostagreatdeal？\" \"Eightorninedollars，Ibelieve。Ihaveminecharged；butitdon\'tmatterifyouhaven\'tgotthemoney。Icanlendyousome。\" \"I\'vegottendollarstodowhatIlikewith；butit\'smeanttogetsomepresentsforthechildren。\"AndPollytookoutherpurseinanundecidedway。 \"Youcanmakepresentseasyenough。Grandmaknowsallsortsofnicecontrivances。They\'lldojustaswell；andthenyoucangetyourboots。\" \"Well；I\'lllookatthem，\"saidPolly，followingFannyintothestore，feelingratherrichandimportanttobeshoppinginthiselegantmanner。 \"Aren\'ttheylovely？Yourfootisperfectlydivineinthatboot，Polly。 Getthemformyparty；you\'lldancelikeafairy，\"whisperedFan。 Pollysurveyedthedainty，shiningbootwiththescallopedtop，thejauntyheel，andthedelicatetoe，thoughtherfootdidlookverywellinit，andafteralittlepause，saidshewouldhavethem。Itwasallverydelightfultillshegothome，andwasalone；then，onlookingintoherpurse，shesawonedollarandthelistofthingsshemeanttogetformotherandthechildren。Howmeanthedollarlookedallalone!andhowlongthelistgrewwhentherewasnothingtobuythearticles。 \"Ican\'tmakeskatesforNed，noradeskforWill；andthosearewhattheyhavesettheirheartsupon。Father\'sbookandmother\'scollarareimpossiblenow；andI\'maselfishthingtogoandspendallmymoneyformyself。HowcouldIdoit？\"AndPollyeyedthenewbootsreproachfully，astheystoodinthefirstpositionasifreadyfortheparty。\"Theyarelovely；butIdon\'tbelievetheywillfeelgood，forIshallbethinkingaboutmylostpresentsallthetime，\"sighedPolly，pushingtheenticingbootsoutofsight。\"I\'llgoandaskgrandmawhatIcando；forifI\'vegottomakesomethingforeveryone，Imustbeginrightaway，orIshan\'tgetdone；\"andoffshebustled，gladtoforgetherremorseinhardwork。 Grandmaprovedequaltotheemergency，andplannedsomethingforeveryone，supplyingmaterials，taste，andskillinthemostdelightfulmanner。 Pollyfeltmuchcomforted；butwhileshebegantoknitaprettypairofwhitebed-socks，tobetiedwithrose-coloredribbons，forhermother，shethoughtsomeverysoberthoughtsuponthesubjectoftemptation；andifanyonehadaskedherjustthenwhatmadehersigh，asifsomethinglayheavyonherconscience，shewouldhaveanswered，\"Bronzeboots。\"ChapterIV。ChapterIV。CHAPTERIVLITTLETHINGS\"IT\'Ssowainy，Ican\'tgoout，andevwybodyissocwosstheywon\'tplaywithme，\"saidMaud，whenPollyfoundherfrettingonthestairs，andpausedtoaskthecauseofherwails。 \"I\'llplaywithyou；onlydon\'tscreamandwakeyourmother。Whatshallweplay？\" \"Idon\'tknow；I\'mtiredofevwything，\'causemytoysareallbwoken，andmydollsareallsickbutClawa，\"moanedMaud，givingajerktotheParisdollwhichsheheldupsidedownbyoneleginthemostunmaternalmanner。 \"I\'mgoingtodressadollyformylittlesister；wouldn\'tyouliketoseemedoit？\"askedPolly，persuasively，hopingtobeguilethecrosschildandfinishherownworkatthesametime。 \"No，Ishouldn\'t，\'causeshe\'lllooknicerthanmyClawa。Herclotheswon\'tcomeoff；andTomspoilt\'emplayingballwithherintheyard。\" \"Wouldn\'tyouliketoriptheseclothesoff，andhavemeshowyouhowtomakesomenewones，soyoucandressandundressClaraasmuchasyoulike？\" \"Yes；Ilovetocut。\"AndMaud\'s，facebrightened；fordestructivenessisoneoftheearliesttraitsofchildhood，andrippingwasMaud\'sdelight。 Establishingthemselvesinthedeserteddining-room，thechildrenfelltowork；andwhenFannydiscoveredthem，MaudwaslaughingwithallherheartatpoorClara，who，denudedofherfinery，wascuttingupallsortsofcapersinthehandsofhermerrylittlemistress。 \"Ishouldthinkyou\'dbeashamedtoplaywithdolls，Polly。Ihaven\'ttouchedonethiseversolong，\"saidFanny，lookingdownwithasuperiorair。 \"Iain\'tashamed，foritkeepsMaudhappy，andwillpleasemysisterKitty；andIthinksewingisbetterthanprinkingorreadingsillynovels，so，now。\"AndPollystitchedawaywitharesoluteair，forsheandFannyhadhadalittletiff；becausePollywouldn\'tletherfrienddoupherhair\"likeotherfolks，\"andboreherears。 \"Don\'tbecross，dear，butcomeanddosomethingnice，it\'ssodullto-day，\"saidFanny，anxioustobefriendsagain，foritwasdoublydullwithoutPolly。 \"Can\'t；I\'mbusy。\" \"Youalwaysarebusy。Ineversawsuchagirl。Whatintheworlddoyoufindtodoallthetime？\"askedFanny，watchingwithinterestthesetofthelittleredmerinofrockPollywasputtingontoherdoll。 \"Lotsofthings；butIliketobelazysometimesasmuchasyoudo； justlieonthesofa，andreadfairystories，orthinkaboutnothing。Wouldyouhaveawhite-muslinapronorablacksilk？\"addedPolly，surveyingherworkwithsatisfaction。 \"Muslin，withpocketsandtinybluebows。I\'llshowyouhow。\"Andforgettingherhateandcontemptfordolls，downsatFanny，soongettingasmuchabsorbedaseitheroftheothers。 Thedulldaybrightenedwonderfullyafterthat，andthetimeflewpleasantly，astonguesandneedleswenttogether。Grandmapeepedin，andsmiledatthebusygroup，saying，\"Sewaway，mydears；dolliesaresafecompanions，andneedleworkanaccomplishmentthat\'ssadlyneglectednowadays。Smallstitches，Maud；neatbuttonholes，Fan；cutcarefully，Polly，anddon\'twasteyourcloth。Takepains；andthebestneedlewomanshallhaveaprettybitofwhitesatinforadoll\'sbonnet。\" Fannyexertedherself，andwontheprize，forPollyhelpedMaud，andneglectedherownwork；butshedidn\'tcaremuch，forMr。Shawsaid，lookingatthethreebrightfacesatthetea-table，\"IguessPollyhasbeenmakingsunshineforyouto-day。\" \"No，indeed，sir，Ihaven\'tdoneanything，onlydressMaud\'sdoll。\" AndPollydidn\'tthinkshehaddonemuch；butitwasoneofthelittlethingswhicharealwayswaitingtobedoneinthisworldofours，whererainydayscomesooften，wherespiritsgetoutoftune，anddutywon\'tgohandinhandwithpleasure。Littlethingsofthissortareespeciallygoodworkforlittlepeople；akindlittlethought，anunselfishlittleact，acheerylittleword，aresosweetandcomfortable，thatnoonecanfailtofeeltheirbeautyandlovethegiver，nomatterhowsmalltheyare。Mothersdoadealofthissortofthing，unseen，unthanked，butfeltandrememberedlongafterward，andneverlost，forthisisthesimplemagicthatbindsheartstogether，andkeepshomehappy。Pollyhadlearnedthissecret。 Shelovedtodothe\"littlethings\"thatothersdidnotsee，orweretoobusytostopfor；andwhiledoingthem，withoutathoughtofthanks，shemadesunshineforherselfaswellasothers。Therewassomuchloveinherownhome，thatshequicklyfeltthewantofitinFanny\'s，andpuzzledherselftofindoutwhythesepeoplewerenotkindandpatienttooneanother。 Shedidnottrytosettlethequestion，butdidherbesttoloveandserveandbearwitheach，andthegoodwill，thegentleheart，thehelpfulwaysandsimplemannersofourPollymadeherdeartoeveryone，forthesevirtues，eveninalittlechild，arelovelyandattractive。 Mr。Shawwasverykindtoher，forhelikedhermodest，respectfulmanners； andPollywassogratefulforhismanyfavors，thatshesoonforgotherfear，andshowedheraffectioninallsortsofconfidinglittleways，whichpleasedhimextremely。Sheusedtowalkacrosstheparkwithhimwhenhewenttohisofficeinthemorning，talkingbusilyalltheway，andsaying\"Good-by\"withanodandasmilewhentheypartedatthegreatgate。Atfirst，Mr。Shawdidnotcaremuchaboutit；butsoonhemissedherifshedidnotcome，andfoundthatsomethingfreshandpleasantseemedtobrightenallhisday，ifasmall，gray-coatedfigure，withanintelligentface，amerryvoice，andalittlehandslippedconfidinglyintohis，wentwithhimthroughthewintrypark。Cominghomelate，helikedtoseeacurly，brownheadwatchingatthewindow；tofindhisslippersready，hispaperinitsplace，andapairofwillingfeet，eagertowaituponhim。\"IwishmyFannywasmorelikeher，\"heoftensaidtohimself，ashewatchedthegirls，whiletheythoughthimdeepinpoliticsorthestateofthemoneymarket。PoorMr。Shawhadbeensobusygettingrich，thathehadnotfoundtimetoteachhischildrentolovehim；hewasmoreatleisurenow，andashisboyandgirlsgrewup，hemissedsomething。Pollywasunconsciouslyshowinghimwhatitwas，andmakingchild-lovesosweet，thathefelthecouldnotdowithoutitanymore，yetdidn\'tquiteknowhowtowintheconfidenceofthechildren，whohadalwaysfoundhimbusy，indifferent，andabsentminded。 Asthegirlsweregoingtobedonenight，Pollykissedgrandma，asusual，andFannylaughedather，saying，\"Whatababyyouare!Wearetoooldforsuchthingsnow。\" \"Idon\'tthinkpeopleeveraretoooldtokisstheirfathersandmothers，\"wasthequickanswer。 \"Right，mylittlePolly；\"andMr。Shawstretchedouthishandtoherwithsuchakindlylook，thatFannystaredsurprised，andthensaid，shyly，\"Ithoughtyoudidn\'tcareaboutit，father。\" \"Ido，mydear:\"AndMr。ShawputouttheotherhandtoFanny，whogavehimadaughterlykiss，quiteforgettingeverythingbutthetenderfeelingthatsprungupinherheartattherenewalofthechildishcustomwhichweneverneedoutgrow。 Mrs。Shawwasanervous，fussyinvalid，whowantedsomethingeveryfiveminutes；soPollyfoundplentyofsmallthingstodoforheranddid，themsocheerfully，thatthepoorladylovedtohavethequiet，helpfulchildnear，towaituponher，readtoher，runerrands，orhandthesevendifferentshawlswhichwerecontinuallybeingputonoroff。 Grandma，too，wasgladtofindwillinghandsandfeettoserveher； andPollypassedmanyhappyhoursinthequaintrooms，learningallsortsofprettyarts，andlisteningtopleasantchat，neverdreaminghowmuchsunshineshebroughttothesolitaryoldlady。 TomwasPolly\'srockaheadforalongtime，becausehewasalwaysbreakingoutinanewplace，andoneneverknewwheretofindhim。Hetormentedyetamusedher；waskindoneday，andabearthenext；attimesshefanciedhewasnevergoingtobebadagain，andthenextthingsheknewhewasdeepinmischief，andhootedattheideaofrepentanceandreformation。 Pollygavehimupasahardcase；butwassointhehabitofhelpinganyonewhoseemedintrouble，thatshewasgoodtohimsimplybecauseshecouldn\'thelpit。 \"What\'sthematter？Isyourlessontoohardforyou？\"sheaskedoneevening，asagroanmadeherlookacrossthetabletowhereTomsatscowlingoverapileofdilapidatedbooks，withhishandsinhishair，asifhisheadwasindangerofflyingasunderwiththetremendousefforthewasmaking。 \"Hard!Guessitis。WhatinthunderdoIcareabouttheoldCarthaginians？ Reguluswasn\'tbad；butI\'msickofhim!\"AndTomdealt\"Harkness\'sLatinReader\"athump，whichexpressedhisfeelingsbetterthanwords。 \"IlikeLatin，andusedtogetonwellwhenIstudieditwithJimmy。 PerhapsIcanhelpyoualittlebit，\"saidPolly，asTomwipedhishotfaceandrefreshedhimselfwithapeanut。 \"You？pooh!girls\'Latindon\'tamounttomuchanyway，\"wasthegratefulreply。 ButPollywasusedtohimnow，and，nothingdaunted，tookalookatthegrimypageinthemiddleofwhichTomhadstuck。Shereaditsowell，thattheyounggentlemanstoppedmunchingtoregardherwithrespectfulastonishment，andwhenshestopped，hesaid，suspiciously，\"Youareaslyone，Polly，tostudyupsoyoucanshowoffbeforeme。Butitwon\'tdo，ma\'am；turnoveradozenpages，andtryagain。\" Pollyobeyed，anddidevenbetterthanbefore，saying，asshelookedup，withalaugh，\"I\'vebeenthroughthewholebook；soyouwon\'tcatchmethatway，Tom。\" \"Isay，howcameyoutoknowsuchalot？\"askedTom，muchimpressed。 \"IstudiedwithJimmy，andkeptupwithhim，forfatherletusbetogetherinallourlessons。Itwassonice，andwelearnedsofast!\" \"TellmeaboutJimmy。He\'syourbrother，isn\'the？\" \"Yes；buthe\'sdead，youknow。I\'lltellabouthimsomeothertime； yououghttostudynow，andperhapsIcanhelpyou，\"saidPolly，withalittlequiverofthelips。 \"Shouldn\'twonderifyoucould。\"AndTomspreadthebookbetweenthemwithagraveandbusiness-likeair，forhefeltthatPollyhadgotthebetterofhim，anditbehoovedhimtodohisbestforthehonorofhissex。Hewentatthelessonwithawill，andsoonflounderedoutofhisdifficulties，forPollygavehimalifthereandthere，andtheywentonswimmingly，tilltheycametosomerulestobelearned。Pollyhadforgottenthem，sothey，bothcommittedthemtomemory；­；Tom，withhandsinhispockets，rockedtoandfro，mutteringrapidly，whilePollytwistedthelittlecurlonherforeheadandstaredatthewall，gabblingwithallhermight。 \"Done!\"criedTom，presently。 \"Done!\"echoedPolly；andthentheyheardeachotherrecitetillbothwereperfect\"That\'sprettygoodfun，\"saidTom，joyfully，tossingpoorHarknessaway，andfeelingthatthepleasantexcitementofcompanionshipcouldlendacharmeventoLatinGrammar。 \"Now，ma\'am，we\'lltakeaturnatalgibbera。IlikethatasmuchasIhateLatin。\" Pollyacceptedtheinvitation，andsoonownedthatTomcouldbeatherhere。Thisfactrestoredhisequnimity；buthedidn\'tcrowoverher，farfromit；forhehelpedherwithapaternalpatiencethatmadehereyestwinklewithsuppressedfun，ashesoberlyexplainedandillustrated，unconsciouslyimitatingDominieDeane，tillPollyfounditdifficulttokeepfromlaughinginhisface。 \"Youmayhaveanothergoatitany，timeyoulike，\"generouslyremarkedTom，asheshiedthealgebraaftertheLatinReader。 \"I\'llcomeeveryevening，then。I\'dliketo，forIhaven\'tstudiedabitsinceIcame。Youshalltryandmakemelikealgebra，andI\'lltryandmakeyoulikeLatin，willyou？\" \"Oh，I\'dlikeitwellenough，iftherewasanyoneexplainittome。 OldDeaneputsusthroughdouble-quick，anddon\'tgiveafellowtimetoaskquestionswhenweread。\" \"Askyourfather；heknows。\" \"Don\'tbelievehedoes；shouldn\'tdaretobotherhim，ifhedid。\" \"Whynot？\" \"He\'dpullmyears，andcallmea\'stupid，\'ortellmenottoworryhim。\" \"Idon\'tthinkhewould。He\'sverykindtome，andIasklotsofquestions。\" \"Helikesyoubetterthanhedoesme。\" \"Now，Tom!­；it\'swrongofyoutosayso。Ofcoursehelovesyoueversomuchmorethanhedoesme，\"criedPolly，reprovingly。 \"Whydon\'theshowitthen？\"mutteredTom，withahalf-wistful，half-defiantglancetowardthelibrarydoor，whichstoodajar。 \"Youactso，howcanhe？\"askedPolly，afterapause，inwhichsheputTom\'squestiontoherself，andcouldfindnobetterreplythantheoneshegavehim。 \"Whydon\'thegivememyvelocipede？Hesaid，ifIdidwellatschoolforamonth，Ishouldhaveit；andI\'vebeenpeggingawaylikefuryformostsixweeks，andhedon\'tdoathingaboutit。Thegirlsgettheirduds，becausetheytease。Iwon\'tdothatanyway；butyoudon\'tcatchmestudyingmyselftodeath，andnopayforit。\" \"Itistoobad；butyououghttodoitbecauseit\'sright，andnevermindbeingpaid，\"beganPolly，tryingtobemoral，butsecretlysympathizingheartilywithpoorTom。 \"Don\'tyoupreach，Polly。Ifthegovernortookanynoticeofme，andcaredhowIgoton，Iwouldn\'tmindthepresentssomuch；buthedon\'tcareahang，andneverevenaskedifIdidwelllastdeclamationday，whenI\'dgoneandlearned\'TheBattleofLakeRegillus，\'becausehesaidhelikedit。\" \"Oh，Tom!Didyousaythat？It\'ssplendid!JimandIusedtosayHoratiustogether，anditwassuchfun。Dospeakyourpiecetome，Idosolike\'Macaulay\'sLays。\'\" \"It\'sdreadfullong，\"beganTom；buthisfacebrightened，forPolly\'sinterestsoothedhisinjuredfeelings，andhewasgladtoprovehiselocutionarypowers。Hebeganwithoutmuchspirit；butsoonthemartialringofthelinesfiredhim，andbeforeheknewit，hewasonhislegsthunderingawayingrandstyle，whilePollylistenedwithkindlingfaceandabsorbedattention。 Tomdiddeclaimwell，forhequiteforgothimself，anddeliveredthestirringballadwithanenergythatmadePollyflushandtinglewithadmirationanddelight，andquiteelectrifiedasecondlistener，whohadheardallthatwenton，andwatchedthelittlescenefrombehindhisnewspaper。 AsTompaused，breathless，andPollyclappedherhandsenthusiastically，thesoundwasloudlyechoedfrombehindhim。Bothwhirledround，andtherewasMr。Shaw，standinginthedoorway，applaudingwithallhismight。 Tomlookedmuchabashed，andsaidnotaword；PollyrantoMr。Shaw，anddancedbeforehim，saying，eagerly，\"Wasn\'titsplendid？Didn\'thedowell？Mayn\'thehavehisvelocipedenow？\" \"Capital，Tom；you\'llbeanoratoryet。Learnanotherpiecelikethat，andI\'llcomeandhearyouspeakit。Areyoureadyforyourvelocipede，hey？\" Pollywasright；andTomownedthat\"thegovernor\"waskind，didlikehimandhadn\'tentirelyforgottenhispromise。Theboyturnedredwithpleasure，andpickedatthebuttonsonhisjacket，whilelisteningtothisunexpectedpraise；butwhenhespoke，helookedstraightupinhisfather\'sface，whilehisownshonewithpleasure，asheanswered，inonebreath，\"Thankee，sir。I\'lldoit，sir。GuessIam，sir!\" \"Verygood；thenlookoutforyournewhorsetomorrow，sir。\"AndMr。 Shawstrokedthefuzzyredheadwithakindhand，feelingafatherlypleasureintheconvictionthattherewassomethinginhisboyafterall。 Tomgothisvelocipedenextday，nameditBlackAuster，inmemoryofthehorsein\"TheBattleofLakeRegillus，\"andcametogriefassoonashebegantoridehisnewsteed。 \"Comeoutandseemegoit，\"whisperedTomtoPolly，afterthreedays\' practiceinthestreet，forhehadalreadylearnedtorideintherink。 PollyandMaudwillinglywent，andwatchedhisstruggles，withdeepinterest，tillhegotanupset，whichnearlyputanendtohisvelocipedingforever。 \"Hi，there!Auster\'scoming!\"shoutedTom，ascamerattlingdownthelong，steepstreetoutsidethepark。 Theysteppedaside，andhewhizzedby，armsandlegsgoinglikemad，withthegeneralappearanceofarunawayengine。Itwouldhavebeenatriumphantdescent，ifabigdoghadnotbouncedsuddenlythroughoneoftheopenings，andsentthewholeconcernhelter-skelterintothegutter。Pollylaughedassherantoviewtheruin。forTomlayflatonhisbackwiththevelocipedeatophim，whilethebigdogbarkedwildly，andhismasterscoldedhimforhisawkwardness。ButwhenshesawTom\'sface，Pollywasfrightened，forthecolorhadallgoneoutofit，hiseyeslookedstrangeanddizzy，anddropsofbloodbegantotricklefromagreatcutonhisforehead。Themansawit，too，andhadhimupinaminute；buthecouldn\'tstand，andstaredabouthiminadazedsortofway，ashesatonthecurbstone，whilePollyheldherhandkerchieftohisforehead，andpatheticallybeggedtoknowifhewaskilled。 \"Don\'tscaremother，­；I\'mallright。Gotupset，didn\'tI？\"heasked，presently，eyeingtheprostratevelocipedewithmoreanxietyaboutitsdamagesthanhisown。 \"Iknewyou\'dhurtyourselfwiththathorridthingjustletitbe，andcomehome，foryourheadbleedsdreadfully，andeverybodyislookingatus，\"whisperedPolly，tryingtotiethelittlehandkerchiefovertheuglycut。 \"Comeon，then。Jove!howqueermyheadfeels!Giveusaboost，please。 Stophowling，Maud，andcomehome。Youbringthemachine，andI\'llpayyou，Pat。\"Ashespoke，TomslowlypickedhimselfandsteadyinghimselfbyPolly\'sshoulder，issuedcommands，andtheprocessionfellintoline。 First，thebigdog，barkingatintervals；thenthegood-naturedIrishman，trundling\"thatdivilofawhirligig，\"ashedisrespectfullycalledtheidolizedvelocipede；thenthewoundedhero，supportedbythehelpfulPolly； andMaudbroughtuptherearintears，bearingTom\'scap。 Unfortunately，Mrs。Shawwasoutdrivingwithgrandma，andFannywasmakingcalls；sothattherewasnoonebutPollytostandbyTom，fortheparlor-maidturnedfaintatthesightofblood，andthechamber-maidlostherwitsintheflurry。Itwasabadcut，andmustbesewedupatonce，thedoctorsaid，assoonashecame。\"Somebodymustholdhishead；\"headded，ashethreadedhisqueerlittleneedle。 \"I\'llkeepstill，butifanybodymustholdme，letPolly。Youain\'tafraid，areyou？\"askedTom，withimploringlook，forhedidn\'tliketheideaofbeingsewedabit。 Pollywasjustgoingtoshrinkaway，saying，\"OhIcan\'t!\"whensherememberedthatTomoncecalledheracoward。Herewasachancetoprovethatshewasn\'t；besides，poorTomhadnooneelsetohelphim；soshecameuptothesofawherehelay，andnoddedreassuringly，assheputasoftlittlehandoneithersideofthedamagedhead。 \"Youareatrump，Polly，\"whisperedTom。Thenhesethisteeth，clenchedhishands，layquitestill，andboreitlikeaman。Itwasalloverinaminuteortwo，andwhenhehadhadaglassofwine，andwasnicelysettledonhisbed，hefeltprettycomfortable，inspiteofthepaininhishead； andbeingorderedtokeepquiet，hesaid，\"Thankyoueversomuch，Polly，\" andwatchedherwithagratefulfaceasshecreptaway。 Hehadtokeepthehouseforaweek，andlaidaboutlookingveryinterestingwithagreatblackpatchonhisforehead。Everyone\'pettedhim；\'forthedoctorsaid，thatiftheblowhadbeenaninchnearerthetemple，itwouldhavebeenfatal，andthethoughtoflosinghimsosuddenlymadebluffoldTomverypreciousallatonce。Hisfatheraskedhimhowhewasadozentimesaday；hismothertalkedcontinuallyof\"thatdearboy\'snarrowescape\"； andgrandmacockeredhimupwitheverydelicacyshecouldinvent；andthegirlswaitedonhimlikedevotedslaves。Thisnewtreatmenthadanexcellenteffect；forwhenneglectedTomgotoverhisfirstamazementatthischangeofbase，heblossomedoutdelightfully，assickpeopledosometimes，andsurprisedhisfamilybybeingunexpectedlypatient，grateful，andamiable。 Nobodyeverknewhowmuchgooditdidhim；forboysseldomhaveconfidencesofthissortexceptwiththeirmothers，andMrs。Shawhadneverfoundthekeytoherson\'sheart。Butalittleseedwassowedthenthattookroot，andthoughitgrewveryslowly，itcametosomethingintheend。PerhapsPollyhelpeditalittle。Eveningwashishardesttime，forwantofexercisemadehimasrestlessandnervousasitwaspossibleforaheartyladtobeonsuchashortnotice。 Hecouldn\'tsleepsothegirlsamusedhim；­；Fannyplayedandreadaloud；Pollysung，andtoldstories；anddidthelattersowell，thatitgottobearegularthingforhertobeginassoonastwilightcame，andTomwassettledinhisfavoriteplaceongrandma\'ssofa。 \"Fireaway，Polly，\"saidtheyoungsultan，oneevening，ashislittleScheherazadesatdowninherlowchair，afterstirringupthefiretilltheroomwasbrightandcosy。 \"Idon\'tfeellikestoriesto-night，Tom。I\'vetoldallIknow，andcan\'tmakeupanymore，\"answeredPolly，leaningherheadonherhandwithasorrowfullookthatTomhadneverseenbefore。Hewatchedheraminute，andthenasked，curiously，\"Whatwereyouthinkingabout，justnow，whenyousatstaringatthefire，andgettingsobererandsoberereveryminute？ \"IwasthinkingaboutJimmy。\" \"Wouldyoumindtellingabouthim？Youknow，yousaidyouwouldsometime；butdon\'t，ifyou\'drathernot，\"saidTom，loweringhisroughvoicerespectfully。 \"Iliketotalkabouthim；butthereisn\'tmuchtotell，\"beganPolly，gratefulforhisinterest。\"SittingherewithyouremindedmeofthewayIusedtositwithhimwhenhewassick。Weusedtohavesuchhappytimes，andit\'ssopleasanttothinkaboutthemnow。\" \"Hewasawfullygood，wasn\'the？\" \"No，hewasn\'t；buthetriedtobe，andmothersaysthatishalfthebattle。Weusedtogettiredoftrying；butwekeptmakingresolutions，andworkinghardtokeep\'em。Idon\'tthinkIgotonmuch；butJimmydid，andeveryonelovedhim。\" \"Didn\'tyoueversquabble，aswedo？\" \"Yes，indeed，sometimes；butwecouldn\'tstaymad，andalwaysmadeitupagainassoonaswecould。Jimmyusedtocomeroundfirst，andsay，\'Allserene，Polly，\'sokindandjolly，thatIcouldn\'thelplaughingandbeingfriendsrightaway。\" \"Didhenotknowalot？\" \"Yes，Ithinkhedid，forhelikedtostudy，andwantedtogeton，sohecouldhelpfather。Peopleusedtocallhimafineboy，andIfeltsoproudtohearit；buttheydidn\'tknowhalfhowwisehewas，becausehedidn\'tshowoffabit。Isupposesistersalwaysaregrandoftheirbrothers； butIdon\'tbelievemanygirlshadasmuchrighttobeasIhad。\" \"Mostgirlsdon\'tcaretwopinsabouttheirbrothers；sothatshowsyoudon\'tknowmuchaboutit。\" \"Well，theyoughtto，iftheydon\'t；andtheywouldiftheboyswereaskindtothemasJimmywastome。\" \"Why，whatdidhedo？\" \"Lovedmedearly，andwasn\'tashamedtoshowit，\"criedPolly，withasobinhervoice，thatmadeheranswerveryeloquent。 \"Whatmadehimdie，Polly？\"askedTom，soberly，afterlittlepause。 \"Hegothurtcoasting，lastwinter；buthenevertoldwhichboydidit，andheonlylivedaweek。Ihelpedtakecareofhim；andhewassopatient，Iusedtowonderathim，forhewasindreadfulpainalltime。 Hegavemehisbooks，andhisdog，andhisspeckledhens，andhisbigknife，andsaid，\'Good-by，Polly，\'­；andkissedmethelastthing­；andthen­；O Jimmy!Jimmy!Ifheonlycouldcomeback!\" PoorPolly\'seyeshadbeengettingfullerandfuller，lipstremblingmoreandmore，asshewenton；whenshecametothat\"good-by，\"shecouldn\'tgetanyfurther，butcoveredupherface，andcriedasherheartwouldbreak。Tomwasfullofsympathy，butdidn\'tknowhowtoshowit；sohesatshakingupthecamphorbottle，andtryingtothinkofsomethingproperandcomfortabletosay，whenFannycametotherescue，andcuddledPollyinherarms，withsoothinglittlepatsandwhispersandkisses，tillthetearsstopped，andPollysaid，she\"didn\'tmeanto，andwouldn\'tanymore。I\'vebeenthinkingaboutmydearboyalltheevening，forTomremindsmeofhim，\"sheadded，withasigh。 \"Me？HowcanI，whenIain\'tabitlikehim？\"criedTom，amazed。 \"Butyouareinsomeways。\" \"WishIwas；butIcan\'tbe，forhewasgood，youknow。\" \"Soareyou，whenyouchoose。Hasn\'thebeengoodandpatient，anddon\'tweallliketopethimwhenhe\'sclever，Fan？\"\'saidPolly，whoseheartwasstillachingforherbrother，andreadyforhissaketofindvirtuesevenintormentingTom。