第12章

\"Wewill，\"saidPolly，andmountingachair，sheputup，bidin，andknockeddownFan\'sentirewardrobetoanimaginarygroupoffriends，withsuchdrollimitationsofeachonethattheroomrangwithlaughter。 \"That\'senoughnonsense；nowwe\'llreturntobusiness，\"saidPolly，descendingbreathlessbutsatisfiedwiththeeffectofherfun。 \"Thesewhitemuslinsandprettysilkswillkeepforyears，soIshouldlaythembytilltheyareneeded。Itwillsavebuying，andyoucangotoyourstockanytimeandmakeoverwhatyouwant。That\'sthewayMotherdoes；we\'vealwayshadthingssentusfromricherfriends，andwhateverwasn\'tproperforustowearatthetime，Motherputawaytobeusedwhenweneededit。Suchfunnybundlesasweusedtohavesometimes，­；oddshoes，bonnetswithoutcrowns，stockingswithoutheelsortoes，andoldfineryofallsorts。Weusedtorushwhenabundlecame，andsitroundwhileMotheropenedit。Theboysalwaysmadefunofthethings，thoughtheywereasgrateful，really，asanyofus。Willmadeaverseonedaywhichwethoughtprettywellforalittlechap:­；\'TopoorcountryfolksWhohaven\'tanyclothes，Richfolks，torelievethem，Sendoldlacegownsandsatinbows。\'\"\"IthinkthatWillisgoingtobeasniceapoetasMr。Shakespeare，\"remarkedMaudinatoneofseriousconviction。 \"HeisalreadyaMilton；butIdon\'tbelievehewilleverbeanythingbutapoetinname，\"saidPolly，workingawaywhileshetalked。 \"Didn\'tyourmothereverletyouwearthenicethingsthatcame？\"askedMaud。 \"No，shethoughtitwasn\'tthethingforapoorminister\'sgirlstogoflourishingaboutinsecond-handfinery，soshedidwhatI\'mdoingnow，putawaywhatwouldbeusefulandproperforusbyandby，andletusplaywiththeshabby，silkbonnetsanddirty，flouncedgowns。Suchfunasweusedtohaveupinourbiggarret!Irememberonedaywe\'dbeenplayinghaveaball，andwereallriggedup，eventheboys。Somenewneighborscametocall，andexpressedawishtoseeus，havingbeentoldthatwewerepatternchildren。Mothercalledus，butwehadparadedoutintothegarden，afterourball，andwerehavingaconcert，aswesataboutonthecabbagesforgreensatinseats，sowedidn\'thearthecall，andjustasthecompanywasgoing，agreatnoisearrestedthemonthedoorstep，androundthecornerofthehouserattledNedinfullcostume，wheelingKittyinabarrow，whileJimmy，Will，andIranscreamingafter，lookinglikeBedlamites；forwewereplayingthatLadyFitzPerkinshadfainted，andwasbeingbornehomesenselessinacab。Ithoughtmotherwouldkillherselfwithlaughing；andyoucanimaginewhatafineimpressionthestrangersreceivedofthemodelchildren。\" Maudwassotickledwiththisyouthfulprankthatsheunguardedlysatdowntolaughontheedgeofanopentrunk，immediatelydoubledup，fellin，andwaswithdifficultyextricated。 \"Peopleinthecountryhavegreatdealnicertimesthanwedo。Ineverrodeinawheelbarrow，Ineversatoncabbages，andIdon\'tthinkit\'sfair，\"shesaidwithaninjuredexpression。\"Youneedn\'tsaveanyoldsilkgownsforme；Idon\'tmeantobeafineladywhenIgrowup，I \'mgoingtobeafarmer\'swife，andmakebutterandcheese，andhavetenchildren，andraisepigs，\"sheaddedinoneenthusiasticburst。 \"Idobelieveshewillifshecanfindafarmeranywhere，\"saidFanny。 \"Oh，I\'mgoingtohaveWill；Iaskedhimandhesaid，\'Allright。\' He\'sgoingtopreachSundays，andworkonthefarmtherestofthetime。 Well，heis，soyouneedn\'tlaugh，forwe\'vemadeallourplans，\"saidMaudwithcomicaldignityasshetriedtheeffectofanoldwhitebonnet，wonderingiffarmers\'wivescouldwearostrichfeatherswhentheywenttomeeting。 \"Blessedinnocence!Don\'tyouwishyouwereachild，anddaredtellwhatyouwant？\"murmuredFanny。 \"IwishIhadseenWill\'sfacewhenMaudproposed，\"answeredPolly，withanodwhichansweredherfriend\'sspeechbetterthanherwords。 \"Anynewsofanybody？\"whisperedFan，affectingtoexamineasleevewithcare。 \"StillattheSouth；don\'tthinklateeventshavebeenreportedyet； thataccountsforabsence，\"answeredPolly。 \"IthinkSirPhilipwashitharderthanwassupposed，\"saidFan。 \"Idoubtit，buttimecureswoundsofthatsortamazingquick。\" \"Wishitdid!\" \"WhoisSirPhilip？\"demandedMaud，prickingupherears。 \"AfamousmanwholivedinthetimeofQueenElizabeth，\"answeredFan，withalookatPolly。 \"Oh!\"AndMaudseemedsatisfied，butthesharpchildhadhersuspicionsnevertheless。 \"TherewillbeanimmensedealofworkinallthisfixingoverandI hatetosew，\"saidFanny，todivertacertainperson\'sthoughts。 \"JennyandIaregoingtohelp。Weareyourdebtors，aswellasBelle，anddemandtheprivilegeofpayingup。Blessings，likecurses，comehometoroost，Fan。\" \"Minecomehomeagooddealbiggerthantheywent，\"answeredFanny，lookingpleasedthatlittlefavorsshouldbesofaithfullyremembered。 \"Theinterestonthatsortofinvestmentrollsupbeautifully，youknow。 NowripthatdressforJennytoputinorder，andI\'lltossyouupabonnetinlessthannotime，\"saidPolly，determinedtohavethingsgosmoothly，forsheknewFan\'sfeelingshadbeenagooddealtriedlately，inmanyways。 \"Imusthavesomethingtomatchmydress，andblueinside，\"saidFanny，bringingoutherribbonboxes。 \"Anythingyoulike，mydear；whenitcomestobonnets，Iamusuallyinspired。Ihaveit!Thereweare!Andnothingcouldbenicer，\"criedPolly，makingadiveamongthesilksFanwasturningoverwithalostexpression。 \"Thisbitofsilver-grayisallIask，here\'senoughforakillingbonnet，andthoseforget-me-notsarebothprettyandappropriate。\" \"Youwretch，bestill!\"criedFanny，asPollylookedupatherwithawickedlaughinhereyes。 \"Itwillbedoneintime，andthedresslikewise，solookyourprettiest，andacceptmyblessing，\"continuedPolly，seeingthatFanlikedherraillery。 \"Timeforwhat？\"askedPaulinaPry。 \"Yourwedding，dear，\"sweetlyansweredFan，forPolly\'spleasanthintsandpredictionsputherinacharminghumor，andevenmadeoldclothesoflittleconsequence。 Maudgaveanincreduloussniff，andwonderedwhy\"biggirlsneedtobesodreadfulmysteriousabouttheiroldsecrets。\" \"ThissilkremindsmeofKitty\'sperformancelastsummer。AlittlecheckedsilkwassentinourspringbundlefromMrs。Davenport，andMothersaidKitmighthaveitifshecouldmakeitdo。SoIwasheditnicely，andwefussedandplanned，butitcameshortbyhalfofonesleeve。Igaveitup，butKitwenttoworkandmatchedeveryscrapthatwasleftsoneatlythatshegotoutthehalfsleeve，putitontheunderside，andnoonewasthewiser。Howmanypiecesdoyouthinksheputin，Maud？\" \"Fifty，\"wasthewisereply。 \"No，onlyten，butthatwasprettywellforafourteen-year-olddressmaker。 Yououghttohaveseenthelittlewitchlaughinhersleevewhenanyoneadmiredthedress，forsheworeitallsummerandlookedasprettyasapinkinit。Suchthingsaregreatfunwhenyougetusedtothem；besides，contrivingsharpensyourwits，andmakesyoufeelasifyouhadmorehandsthanmostpeople。\" \"Ithinkwe\'llgetafarmnearyourhouse；IshouldliketoknowKitty，\" saidMaud，feelingacuriousinterestinagirlwhomadesuchpeculiarpatchwork。 \"Thedress-paradeisover，andI\'meversomuchobligedtoyou，Polly，forhelpingmethrough，andshowingmehowtomakethebestofthings。 Ihopeintimetohaveasmanyhandsasyou，\"saidFangratefully，whenthesimplebonnetwasdoneandeverythingplannedoutreadytobefinished。 \"Ihopeyouwillsoonhavetwogood，strongonesbesideyourown，mydear，\"answeredPolly，asshevanished，withapartingtwinklethatkeptFan\'sfacebrightallday。ChapterXVII。ChapterXVII。CHAPTERXVIIPLAYINGGRANDMOTHERITHINKTomhadthehardesttimeofall，forbesidesthefamilytroubles，hehadmanyofhisowntoperplexandharasshim。Collegescrapesweresoonforgotteningreaterafflictions；buttherewereplentyoftonguestoblame\"thatextravagantdog，\"andplentyofheadstowagominouslyoverpropheciesofthegoodtimeTomShawwouldnowmakeontheroadtoruin。 Asreportersflourishinthiscountry，ofcourseTomsoonheardallthefriendlycriticismspasseduponhimandhiscareer，andhesufferedmorethananybodyguessed；forthetruththatwasatthebottomofthegossipfilledhimwiththesharpregretandimpotentwrathagainsthimselfaswellasothers，whichdrivesmanyaproudfellow，soplaced，todestruction，ortheeffortthatredeemsboyishfolly，andmakesamanofhim。 Nowthathehadlosthisheritage，Tomseemedtoseeforthefirsttimehowgoodlyithadbeen，howrichinpower，pleasure，andgraciousopportunities。 Hefeltitsworthevenwhileheacknowledged，withthesenseofjusticethatisstronginmanlymen，howlittlehedeservedagiftwhichhehadsomisused。Hebroodedoverthisagooddeal，for，likethebatinthefable，hedidn\'tseemtofindanyplaceinthenewlifewhichhadbegunforall。Knowingnothingofbusiness，hewasnotofmuchusetohisfather，thoughhetriedtobe，andgenerallyendedbyfeelingthathewasahindrance，notahelp。Domesticaffairswereequallyoutofhisline，andthegirls，morefrankthantheirfather，didnothesitatetotellhimhewasinthewaywhenheofferedtolendahandanywhere。Afterthefirstexcitementwasover，andhehadtimetothink，heartandenergyseemedtodieout，remorsegotholdofhim，and，asgenerous，thoughtlessnaturesareapttodowhensuddenlyconfrontedwithconscience，heexaggeratedhisfaultsandfolliesintosinsofthedeepestdye，andfanciedhewasregardedbyothersasavillainandanoutcast。Prideandpenitencemadehimshrinkoutofsightasmuchaspossible，forhecouldnotbearpity，evenwhensilentlyexpressedbyafriendlyhandorakindlyeye。Hestayedathomeagooddeal，andloafedaboutwithamelancholyandneglectedair，vanishedwhenanyonecame，talkedverylittle，andwaseitherpatheticallyhumbleortragicallycross。Hewantedtodosomething，butnothingseemedtoappear； andwhilehewaitedtogethispoiseafterthedownfall，hewassoverymiserablethatI\'mafraid，ifithadnotbeenforonething，mypoorTomwouldhavegotdesperate，andbeenafailure。Butwhenheseemedmostuseless，outcast，andforlorn，hediscoveredthatonepersonneededhim，onepersonneverfoundhimintheway，onepersonalwayswelcomedandclungtohimwiththestrongestaffectionofaveryfeeblenature。Thisdependenceofhismother\'swasTom\'ssalvationatthatcrisisofhislife；andthegossips，whosaidsoftlytooneanotherovertheirmuffinsandtea。\"Itreallywouldbearelieftothatwholefamilyifpoor，dearMrs。Shawcouldbe­；ahem!­；mercifullyremoved，\"didnotknowthattheinvalid\'sweak，idlehandswereunconsciouslykeepingthesonsafeinthatquietroom，whereshegavehimallthatshehadtogive，mother-love，tillhetookheartagain，andfacedtheworldreadytofighthisbattlesmanfully。 \"Dear，dear!howoldandbentpoorfatherdoeslook。Ihopehewon\'tforgettoordermysweetbread，\"sighedMrs。Shawoneday，asshewatchedherhusbandslowlygoingdownthestreet。 Tom，whostoodbyher，idlyspinningthecurtaintassel，followedthefamiliarfigurewithhiseye，andseeinghowgraythehairhadgrown，howcarewornthefloridface，andhowlikeawearyoldmanhisoncestrong，handsomefatherwalked，hewassmittenbyanewpangofself-reproach，andwithhisusualimpetuositysetaboutrepairingtheomissionassoonashediscoveredit。 \"I\'llseetoyoursweetbread，mum。Good-by，backtodinner，\"andwithahastykiss，Tomwasoff。 Hedidn\'tknowexactlywhathemeanttodo，butithadsuddenlycomeoverhim，thathewashidingfromthestorm，andlettinghisfathermeetitalone；fortheoldmanwenttohisofficeeverydaywiththeregularityofamachine，thatwouldgoitsusualrounduntilitstopped，whiletheyoungmanstayedathomewiththewomen，andlethismothercomforthim。 \"Hehasarighttobeashamedofme，butIactasifIwasashamedofhim；daresaypeoplethinkso。I\'llshowthemthatIain\'t；yes，bythepowers，Iwill!\"andTomdrewonhisgloveswiththeairofamanabouttomeetandconqueranenemy。 \"Haveanarm，sir？Ifyoudon\'tmindI\'llwalkdownwithyou。Littlecommissionformother，­；niceday，isn\'tit？\" Tomratherbrokedownattheendofhisspeech，forthelookofpleasedsurprisewithwhichhisfathergreetedhim，thealacritywithwhichheacceptedandleanedonthestrongarmofferedhim，provedthatthedailywalkshadbeensolitaryanddoubtlesssadones。IthinkMr。Shawunderstoodtherealmeaningofthatlittleactofrespect，andfeltbetterforthehopefulchangeitseemedtoforetell。Buthetookitquietly，andleavinghisfacetospeakforhim，merelysaid，­； \"Thanky，Tom；yes，motherwillenjoyherdinnertwiceasmuchifyouorderit。\" Thentheybegantotalkbusinesswithalltheirmight，asiftheyfearedthatsometraceofsentimentmightdisgracetheirmasculinedignity。Butitmadenodifferencewhethertheydiscussedlawsuitsorlove，mortgagesormothers，thefeelingwasallrightandtheyknewit，soMr。Shawwalkedstraighterthanusual，andTomfeltthathewasinhisproperplaceagain。 Thewalkwasnotwithoutitstrials，however；forwhileitdidTom\'sheartgoodtoseethecordialrespectpaidtohisfather，ittriedhispatiencesorelytoseealsoinquisitiveordisapprovingglancesfixeduponhimselfwhenhatswereliftedtohisfather，andtohearthehearty\"Goodday，Mr。Shaw，\"dropintoacoolorcareless，\"That\'stheson；it\'shardonhim。Wildfellow，dohimgood。\" \"Granted；butyouneedn\'thitamanwhenhe\'sdown，\"mutteredTomtohimself，feelingeverymomentastrongerdesiretodosomethingthatshouldsilenceeverybody。\"I\'dcutawaytoAustraliaifitwasn\'tformother；anything，anywheretogetoutofthewayofpeoplewhoknowme。 Inevercanrightmyselfhere，withallthefellowswatching，andlayingwagerswhetherIsinkorswim。HangGreekandLatin!wishI\'dlearnedatrade，andhadsomethingtofallbackupon。Haven\'tablessedthingnow，butdecentFrenchandmyfists。WonderifoldBelldon\'twantaclerkfortheParisbranchofthebusiness？Thatwouldn\'tbebad；faith，I\'lltryit。\" AndwhenTomhadlandedhisfathersafelyattheoffice，tothegreatedificationofallbeholders，hescreweduphiscourage，andwenttopreferhisrequest，feelingthattheprospectbrightenedalittle。ButMr。Bellwasnotinagoodhumor，andonlygaveTomaseverelectureontheerrorofhisways，whichsenthimhomemuchdepressed，andcausedthehorizontoloweragain。 Asheroamedaboutthehousethatafternoon，tryingtocalculatehowmuchanAustralianoutfitwouldcost，thesoundoflivelyvoicesandclatteringspoonsattractedhimtothekitchen。TherehefoundPollygivingMaudlessonsincookery；forthe\"newhelp\"notbeingahigh-pricedarticle，couldnotbedependedonfordesserts，andMrs。Shawwouldhavefeltasifthewolfwasatthedooriftherewasnot\"asweetdish\"atdinner。Maudhadageniusforcooking，andFannyhatedit，sothatlittlepersonwasinherglory，studyingreceiptbooks，andtakinglessonswheneverPollycouldgivethem。 \"Graciousme，Tom，don\'tcomenow；weareawfulbusy!Mendon\'tbelonginkitchens，\"criedMaud，asherbrotherappearedinthedoorway。 \"Couldn\'tthinkwhatyouwereabout。Mumisasleep，andFanout，soIloafeddowntoseeiftherewasanyfunafoot，\"saidTom，lingering，asiftheprospectwasagreeable。Hewasasocialfellow，andverygratefuljustthentoanyonewhohelpedhimtoforgethisworriesforatime。Pollyknewthis，feltthathissocietywouldnotbeagreatafflictiontoherselfatleast，andwhisperingtoMaud，\"Hewon\'tknow，\"sheadded，aloud，­； \"Comeinifyoulike，andstirthiscakeforme；itneedsastronghand，andminearetired。There，putonthataprontokeepyoutidy，sithere，andtakeiteasy。\" \"Iusedtohelpgrandmabatupcake，andratherlikedit，ifIrememberright，\"saidTom，lettingPollytieacheckedaprononhim，putabigbowlintohishands，andsettlehimnearthetable，whereMaudwaspickingraisins，andsheherselfstirringbusilyaboutamongspice-boxes，rolling-pins，andbutter-pots。 \"Youdoitbeautifully，Tom。I\'llgiveyouaconundrumtolightenyourlabor:Whyarebadboyslikecake？\"askedPolly，anxioustocheerhimup。 \"Becauseagoodbeatingmakesthembetter。Idoubtthatmyself，though，\" answeredTom，nearlyknockingthebottomofthebowloutwithhisenergeticdemonstrations，foritreallywasarelieftodosomething。 \"Brightboy!here\'saplumforyou，\"andPollythrewaplumpraisinintohismouth。 \"Putinlots，won\'tyou？I\'mratherfondofplum-cake，\"observedTom，likeninghimselftoHerculeswiththedistaff，andfindinghisemploymentpleasant，ifnotclassical。 \"Ialwaysdo，ifIcan；there\'snothingIlikebetterthantoshovelinsugarandspice，andmakenice，plummycakeforpeople。It\'soneofthefewthingsIhaveagiftfor。\" \"You\'vehititthistime，Polly；youcertainlyhaveagiftforputtingagooddealofbotharticlesintoyourownandotherpeople\'slives，whichislucky，as，weallhavetoeatthatsortofcake，whetherwelikeitornot，\"observedTom，sosoberlythatPollyopenedhereyes，andMaudexclaimed，­； \"Idobelievehe\'spreaching。\" \"FeelasifIcouldsometimes，\"continuedTom；thenhiseyefelluponthedimplesinPolly\'selbows，andheadded，withalaugh，\"That\'smoreinyourline，ma\'am；can\'tyougiveusasermon？\" \"Ashortone。Life，mybrethren，islikeplum-cake，\"beganPolly，impressivelyfoldingherflouryhands。\"Insometheplumsareallonthetop，andweeatthemgayly，tillwesuddenlyfindtheyaregone。Inotherstheplumssinktothebottom，andwelookfortheminvainaswegoon，andoftencometothemwhenitistoolatetoenjoythem。Butinthewell-madecake，theplumsarewiselyscatteredallthrough，andeverymouthfulisapleasure。 Wemakeourowncakes，inagreatmeasure，thereforeletuslooktoit，mybrethren，thattheyaremixedaccordingtothebestreceipt，bakedinawellregulatedoven，andgratefullyeatenwithatemperateappetite。\" \"Good!good!\"criedTom，applaudingwiththewoodenspoon。\"That\'samodelsermon，Polly，­；short，sweet，sensible，andnotabitsleepy。 I\'moneofyourparish，andwillseethatyougetyour\'celerypunctooal，\' asoldDeaconMorseusedtosay。\" \"\'Thankyou，brother，mywantsisfew，andravensscurserthantheyusedtobe，\'asdearoldParsonMillerusedtoanswer。Now，Maud，bringonthecitron；\"andPollybegantoputthecaketogetherinwhatseemedamostcarelessandchaoticmanner，whileTomandMaudwatchedwithabsorbinginteresttillitwassafelyintheoven。 \"Nowmakeyourcustards，dear；Tommayliketobeattheeggsforyou； itseemstohaveagoodeffectuponhisconstitution。\" \"First-rate；hand\'emalong，\"andTomsmoothedhisapronwithacheerfulair。\"Bytheway，Syd\'sgotback。Imethimyesterday，andhetreatedmelikeamanandabrother，\"headded，asifanxioustocontributetothepleasuresofthehour。 \"I\'msoglad!\"criedPolly，clappingherhands，regardlessoftheeggsheheld，whichdroppedandsmashedontheflooratherfeet。\"Carelessthing!Pickitup，Maud，I\'llgetsomemore；\"andPollywhiskedoutoftheroom，gladofanexcusetorunandtellFan，whohadjustcomein，lest，hearingthenewsinpublic，shemightbestartledoutofthewell-bredcomposurewithwhichyoungladiesareexpectedtoreceivetidings，evenofthemostvitalimportance。 \"Youknowallabouthistory，don\'tyou？\"askedMaud，suddenly。 \"Notquite，\"modestlyansweredTom。 \"IjustwanttoknowiftherereallywasamannamedSirPhilip，inthetimeofQueenElizabeth。\" \"YoumeanSirPhilipSidney？Yes，helivedthenandafineoldfellowhewastoo。\" \"There；Iknewthegirlsdidn\'tmeanhim，\"criedMaud，withachopthatsentthecitronflying。 \"Whatmischiefareyouuptonow，youlittlemagpie？\" \"Ishan\'ttellyouwhattheysaid，becauseIdon\'tremembermuchofit；butIheardPollyandFantalkingaboutsomeonedreadfulmysterious，andwhenIaskedwhoitwas，Fansaid，\'SirPhilip。\'Ho!sheneedn\'tthinkIbelieveit!Isaw\'emlaugh，andblush，andpokeoneanother，andIknewitwasn\'taboutanyoldQueenElizabethman，\"criedMaud，turninguphernoseasfarasthatsomewhatlimitedfeaturewouldgo。 \"Lookhere，youarelettingcatsoutofthebag。Nevermind，Ithoughtso。Theydon\'ttellustheirsecrets，butwearesosharp，wecan\'thelpfindingthemout，canwe？\"saidTom，lookingsomuchinterested，thatMaudcouldn\'tresistairingherknowledgealittle。 \"Well，Idaresay，itisn\'tproperforyoutoknow，butIamoldenoughnowtobetoldanything，andthosegirlsbettermindwhattheysay，forI\'mnotastupidchit，likeBlanche。Ijustwishyoucouldhaveheardthemgoon。I\'msurethere\'ssomethingveryniceaboutMr。 Sydney，theylookedsopleasedwhentheywhisperedandgiggledonthebed，andthoughtIwasrippingbonnets，anddidn\'thearaword。\" \"Whichlookedmostpleased？\"askedTom，investigatingthekitchenboilerwithdeepinterest。 \"Well，\'pearstomePollydid；shetalkedmost，andlookedfunnyandveryhappyallthetime。Fanlaughedagooddeal，butIguessPollyistheloveress，\"repliedMaud，afteramoment\'sreflection。 \"Holdyourtongue；she\'scoming!\"andTombegantopumpasifthehousewasonfire。 DowncamePolly，withheightenedcolor，brighteyes，andnotasingleegg。Tomtookaquicklookatheroverhisshoulder，andpausedasifthefirewassuddenlyextinguished。SomethinginhisfacemadePollyfeelalittleguilty，soshefelltogratingnutmeg，withavigorwhichmaderedcheeksthemostnaturalthinginlife。Maud，thetraitor，satdemurelyatwork，lookingverylikewhatTomhadcalledher，amagpiewithmischiefinitshead。Pollyfeltachangeintheatmosphere，butmerelythoughtTomwastired，soshegraciouslydismissedhimwithastickofcinnamon，asshehadnothingelsejustthentolayupontheshrine。 \"Fan\'sgotthebooksandmapsyouwanted。Goandrestnow。I\'mmuchobliged；here\'syourwages，Bridget。\" \"Goodlucktoyourmesses，\"answeredTom，ashewalkedawaymeditativelycrunchinghiscinnamon，andlookingasifhedidnotfinditasspicyasusual。Hegothisbooks，butdidnotreadthem；for，shuttinghimselfupinthelittleroomcalled\"Tom\'sden，\"hejustsatdownandbrooded。 Whenhecamedowntobreakfastthenextmorning，hewasgreetedwithageneral\"Happybirthday，Tom!\"andathisplacelaygiftsfromeverymemberofthefamily；notascostlyasformerly，perhaps，butinfinitelydearer，astokensofthelovethathadoutlivedthechange，andonlygrownthewarmerforthetestofmisfortune。Inhispresentstateofmind，Tomfeltasifhedidnotdeserveablessedthing；sowheneveryoneexertedthemselvestomakeitahappydayforhim，heunderstoodwhatitmeans\"tobenearlykilledwithkindness，\"andsternlyresolvedtobeanhonortohisfamily，orperishintheattempt。EveningbroughtPollytowhatshecalleda\"festivetea，\"andwhentheygatheredroundthetable，anothergiftappeared，which，thoughnotofasentimentalnature，touchedTommorethanalltherest。Itwasamostdelectablecake，withanosegayatop，androunditonthesnowyfrostingthereranapinkinscription，justasithadbeeneveryyearsinceTomcouldremember。 \"Name，age，anddate，likeanicewhitetombstone，\"observedMaud，complacently，atwhichfunerealremark，Mrs。Shaw，whowasdowninhonoroftheday，droppedhernapkin，anddemandedhersalts。 \"Whosedoingisthat？\"askedTom，surveyingthegiftwithsatisfaction； foritrecalledthehappierbirthdays，whichseemedveryfarawaynow。 \"Ididn\'tknowwhattogiveyou，foryou\'vegoteverythingamanwants，andIwasindespairtillIrememberedthatdeargrandmaalwaysmadeyoualittlecakelikethat，andthatyouoncesaiditwouldn\'tbeahappybirthdaywithoutit。SoItriedtomakeitjustlikehers，andIdohopeitwillproveagood，sweet，plummyone。\" \"Thankyou，\"wasallTomsaid，ashesmiledatthegiver，butPollyknewthatherpresenthadpleasedhimmorethanthemosteleganttrifleshecouldhavemade。 \"Itoughttobegood，foryoubeatitupyourself，Tom，\"cried，Maud。 \"Itwassofunnytoseeyouworkingaway，andneverguessingwhothecakewasfor。Iperfectlytrembledeverytimeyouopenedyourmouth，forfearyou\'dasksomequestionaboutit。ThatwasthereasonPollypreachedandIkepttalkingwhenshewasgone。\" \"Verystupidofme；butIforgotallaboutto-day。Supposewecutit； Idon\'tseemtocareforanythingelse，\"saidTom，feelingnoappetite，butboundtodojusticetothatcake，ifhefellavictimtohisgratitude。 \"Ihopetheplumswon\'tallbeatthebottom，\"saidPolly，assherosetodothehonorsofthecake，byuniversalappointment。 \"I\'vehadagoodmanyatthetopalready，youknow，\"answeredTom，watchingtheoperationwithasmuchinterestasifhehadfaithintheomen。 Cuttingcarefully，sliceafterslicefellapart；eachfirmanddark，spicyandrich，underthefrostyrimeabove；andlayingaspeciallylargepieceinoneofgrandma\'squaintlittlechinaplates，PollyaddedtheflowersandhandedittoTom，withalookthatsaidagooddeal，for，seeingthatherememberedhersermon，shewasgladtofindthatherallegoryheldgood，inonesenseatleast。Tom\'sfacebrightenedashetookit，andafteraninspectionwhichamusedtheothersverymuchhelookedup，saying，withanairofrelief，\"Plumsallthrough；I\'mgladIhadahandinit，butPollydeservesthecredit，andmustweartheposy，\"andturningtoher，heputtheroseintoherhairwithmoregallantrythantaste，forathornprickedherhead，theleavestickledherear，andtheflowerwasupsidedown。 Fannylaughedathiswantofskill，butPollywouldn\'thaveitaltered，andeverybodyfelltoeatingcake，asifindigestionwasoneofthelostarts。Theyhadalivelytea，andweregettingonfamouslyafterward，whentwoletterswerebroughtforTom，whoglancedatone，andretiredratherprecipitatelytohisden，leavingMaudconsumedwithcuriosity，andtheoldergirlsslightlyexcited，forFanthoughtsherecognizedthehandwritingonone，andPolly，ontheother。 Onehalfanhourandthenanotherelapsed，andTomdidnotreturn。Mr。 Shawwentout，Mrs。ShawretiredtoherroomescortedbyMaud，andthetwogirlssattogetherwonderingifanythingdreadfulhadhappened。Allofasuddenavoicecalled，\"Polly!\"andthatyoungladystartedoutofherchair，asifthesoundhadbeenathunder-clap。 \"Dorun!I\'mperfectlyfaintingtoknowwhatthematteris，\"saidFan。 \"You\'dbettergo，\"beganPolly，wishingtoobey，yetfeelingalittleshy。 \"Hedon\'twantme；besides，Icouldn\'tsayawordformyselfifthatletterwasfromSydney，\"criedFanny，hustlingherfriendtowardsthedoor，inagreatflutter。 Pollywentwithoutanotherword，butsheworeacuriouslyanxiouslook，andstoppedonthethresholdoftheden，asifalittleafraidofitsoccupant。 Tomwassittinginhisfavoriteattitude，astrideofachair，withhisarmsfoldedandhischinonthetoprail；notanelegantposture，buttheonlyoneinwhich，hesaid，hecouldthinkwell。 \"Didyouwantme，Tom？\" \"Yes。Comein，please，anddon\'tlookscared；IonlywanttoshowyouapresentI\'vehad，andaskyouradviceaboutacceptingit。\" \"Why，Tom，youlookasifyouhadbeenknockeddown!\"exclaimedPolly，forgettingallaboutherself，asshesawhisfacewhenheroseandturnedtomeether。 \"Ihave；regularlyfloored；butI\'mupagain，andsteadierthanever。 Justyoureadthat，andtellmewhatyouthinkofit。\" Tomsnatchedaletteroffthetable，putitintoherhands，andbegantowalkupanddownthelittleroom，likeaveritablebearinitscage。 AsPollyreadthatshortnote，allthecolorwentoutofherface，andhereyesbegantokindle。Whenshecametotheend，shestoodaminute，asiftooindignanttospeak，thengavethepaperanervoussortofcrumpleanddroppeditonthefloor，saying，allinonebreath，­； \"Ithinksheisamercenary，heartless，ungratefulgirl!That\'swhatIthink。\" \"Oh，the­；deuce!Ididn\'tmeantoshowthatone；it\'stheother。\" AndTomtookupasecondpaper，lookinghalfangry，halfashamedathisownmistake。\"Idon\'tcare，though；everyonewillknowto-morrow；andperhapsyou\'llbegoodenoughtokeepthegirlsfrombotheringmewithquestionsandgabble，\"headded，asif，onsecondthoughts，hewasrelievedtohavethecommunicationmadetoPollyfirst。 \"Idon\'twonderyoulookedupset。Iftheotherletterisasbad，I\'dbetterhaveachairbeforeIreadit，\"saidPolly，feelingthatshebegantotremblewithexcitement。 \"It\'samilliontimesbetter，butitknockedmeworsethantheother； kindnessalwaysdoes。\"Tomstoppedshortthere，andstoodaminuteturningtheletteraboutinhishandasifitcontainedasweetwhichneutralizedthebitterinthatsmallernote，andtouchedhimverymuch。Thenhedrewupanarmchair，andbeckoningPollytotakeit，saidinasober，steadytone，thatsurprisedhergreatly，­； \"WheneverIwasinaquandary，Iusedtogoandconsultgrandma，andshealwayshadsomethingsensibleorcomfortabletosaytome。She\'sgonenow，butsomehow，Polly，youseemtotakeherplace。Wouldyoumindsittinginherchair，andlettingmetellyoutwoorthreethings，asWilldoes？\" Mindit？PollyfeltthatTomhadpaidherthehighestandmostbeautifulcomplimenthecouldhavedevised。Shehadoftenlongedtodoit，for，beingbroughtupinthemostaffectionateandfrankrelationswithherbrothers，shehadearlylearnedwhatittakesmostwomensometimetodiscover，thatsexdoesnotmakenearlyasmuchdifferenceinheartsandsoulsaswefancy。 Joyandsorrow，loveandfear，lifeanddeathbringsomanyofthesameneedstoall，thatthewonderiswedonotunderstandeachotherbetter，butwaittilltimesoftribulationteachusthathumannatureisverymuchthesameinmenandwomen。Thankstothisknowledge，PollyunderstoodTominawaythatsurprisedandwonhim。Sheknewthathewantedwomanlysympathy，andthatshecouldgiveittohim，becauseshewasnotafraidtostretchherhandacrossthebarrierwhichourartificialeducationputsbetweenboysandgirls，andtosaytohiminallgoodfaith，\"IfIcanhelpyou，letme。\" TenminutessoonerPollycouldhavedonethisalmostaseasilytoTomastoWill，butinthattenminutessomethinghadhappenedwhichmadethisdifficult。ReadingthatTrixhadgivenTombackhisfreedomchangedmanythingstoPolly，andcausedhertoshrinkfromhisconfidence，becauseshefeltasifitwouldbehardernowtokeepselfoutofsight；for，spiteofmaidenmodesty，loveandhopewouldwakeandsingatthegoodnews。 Slowlyshesatdown，andhesitatinglyshesaid，withhereyesontheground，andaveryhumblevoice，­； \"I\'lldomybest，butIcan\'tfillgrandma\'splace，orgiveyouanywise，goodadvice。IwishIcould!\" \"You\'lldoitbetterthananyoneelse。Talktroublesmother，fatherhasenoughtothinkofwithoutanyofmyworries。Fanisagoodsoul，butsheisn\'tpractical，andwealwaysgetintoasnarlifwetrytoworktogether，sowhohaveIbutmyothersister，Polly？Thepleasurethatletterwillgiveyoumaymakeupformyboringyou。\" Ashespoke，Tomlaidtheotherpaperinherlap，andwentofftothewindow，asiftoleaveherfreetoenjoyitunseen；buthecouldnothelpaglancenowandthen，andasPolly\'sfacebrightened，hisownfell。 \"Oh，Tom，that\'sabirthdaypresentworthhaving，forit\'ssobeautifullygivenIdon\'tseehowyoucanrefuseit。ArthurSydneyisarealnobleman!\" criedPolly，lookingupatlast，withherfactglowing，andhereyesfullofdelight。 \"Soheis!Idon\'tknowanothermanliving，exceptfather，whowouldhavedonesuchathing，orwhoIcouldbringmyselftotakeitfrom。Doyousee，he\'snotonlypaidtheconfoundeddebts，buthasdoneitinmyname，tosparemeallhecould？\" \"Isee，it\'slikehim；andIthinkhemustbeveryhappytobeabletodosuchathing。\" \"Itisanimmenseweightoffmyshoulders，forsomeofthosemencouldn\'taffordtowaittillI\'dbegged，borrowed，orearnedthemoney。Sydneycanwait，buthewon\'tlong，ifIknowmyself。\" \"Youwon\'ttakeitasagift，then？\" \"Wouldyou？\" \"No。\" \"Thendon\'tthinkIwill。I\'maprettypooraffair，Polly，butI\'mnotmeanenoughtodothat，whileI\'vegotaconscienceandapairofhands。\" Aroughspeech，butitpleasedPollybetterthanthesmoothestTomhadevermadeinherhearing，forsomethinginhisfaceandvoicetoldherthatthefriendlyacthadrousedanoblersentimentthangratitude，makingthecancelledobligationsoftheboy，debtsofhonortotheman。 \"Whatwillyoudo，Tom？\" \"I\'lltellyou；mayIsithere？\"AndTomtookthelowfootstoolthatalwaysstoodneargrandma\'soldchair。\"I\'vehadsomanyplansinmyheadlately，thatsometimesitseemsasifitwouldsplit，\"continuedthepoorfellow，rubbinghistiredforehead，asiftopolishuphiswits。\"I\'vethoughtseriouslyofgoingtoCalifornia，Australia，orsomeout-of-the-wayplace，wheremengetrichinahurry。\" \"Oh，no!\"criedPolly，puttingoutherhandasittokeephim，andthensnatchingitbackagainbeforehecouldturnround。 \"Itwouldbehardonmotherandthegirls，Isuppose；besides，Idon\'tquitelikeitmyself；looksasifIshirkedandranaway。\" \"Soitdoes，\"saidPolly，decidedly。 \"Well，youseeIdon\'tseemtofindanythingtodounlessIturnclerk，andIdon\'tthinkthatwouldsuit。Thefactis，Icouldn\'tstandithere，whereI\'mknown。Itwouldbeeasiertoscratchgravelonarailroad，withagangofPaddies，thantosellpinstomyfriendsandneighbors。Falsepride，Idaresay，butit\'sthetruth，andthere\'snouseindodging。\" \"Notabit，andIquiteagreewithyou。\" \"That\'scomfortable。NowI\'mcomingtothepointwhereIspeciallywantyouradvice，Polly。YesterdayIheardyoutellingFanaboutyourbrotherNed；howwellhegoton；howhelikedhisbusiness，andwantedWilltocomeandtakesomeplacenearhim。YouthoughtIwasreading，butIheard； anditstruckmethatperhapsIcouldgetachanceoutWestsomewhere。 Whatdoyouthink？\" \"Ifyoureallymeanwork，Iknowyoucould，\"answeredPolly，quickly，asallsortsofplansandprojectswentsweepingthroughhermind。 \"IwishyoucouldbewithNed；you\'dgetontogether，I\'msure；andhe\'dbesogladtodoanythinghecould。I\'llwriteandask，straightaway，ifyouwantmeto。\" \"Supposeyoudo；justforinformation，youknow，thenIshallhavesomethingtogoupon。Iwanttohaveafeasibleplanallready，beforeIspeaktofather。There\'snothingsoconvincingtobusinessmenasfacts，youknow。\" PollycouldnothelpsmilingatTom\'snewtone，itseemedsostrangetohearhimtalkingaboutanythingbuthorsesandtailors，dancingandgirls。Shelikedit，however，asmuchasshedidthesoberexpressionofhisface，andthewayhehadlatelyofswinginghisarmsabout，asifhewantedtodosomethingenergeticwiththem。 \"Thatwillbewise。Doyouthinkyourfatherwilllikethisplan？\" \"Prettysurebewill。Yesterday，whenItoldhimImustgoatsomethingrightoff，hesaid，\'Anythinghonest，Tom，anddon\'tforgetthatyourfatherbegantheworldasashop-boy。\'Youknewthat，didn\'tyou？\" \"Yes，hetoldmethestoryonce，andIalwayslikedtohearit，becauseitwaspleasanttoseehowwellhehadsucceeded。\" \"Ineverdidlikethestory，alittlebitashamed，I\'mafraid；butwhenwetalkeditoverlastnight，itstruckmeinanewlight，andIunderstoodwhyfathertookthefailuresowell，andseemssocontentedwiththispoorishplace。Itisonlybeginningagain，hesays；andhavingworkedhiswayuponce，hefeelsasifhecouldagain。Ideclaretoyou，Polly，thatsortofconfidenceinhimself，andenergyandcourageinamanofhisyears，makesmeloveandrespectthedearoldgentlemanasIneverdidbefore。\" \"I\'msogladtohearyousaythat，Tom!I\'vesometimesthoughtyoudidn\'tquiteappreciateyourfather，anymorethanheknewhowmuchofamanyouwere。\" \"Neverwastillto-day，youknow，\"saidTom，laughing，yetlookingasifhefeltthedignityofhisoneandtwentyyears。\"Odd，isn\'tit，howpeoplelivetogethereversolong，anddon\'tseemtofindoneanotherout，tillsomethingcomestodoitforthem。Perhapsthissmash-upwassenttointroducemetomyownfather。\" \"There\'sphilosophyforyou，\"saidPolly，smiling，evenwhileshefeltasifadversitywasgoingtodomoreforTomthanyearsofprosperity。 Theybothsatquietforaminute，Pollyinthebigchairlookingathimwithanewrespectinhereyes，Tomonthestoolnearbyslowlytearingupafoldedpaperhehadabsentlytakenfromthefloorwhilehetalked。 \"Didthissurpriseyou？\"heasked，asalittlewhiteshowerflutteredfromhishands。 \"No。\" \"Well，itdidme；foryouknowassoonaswecametogriefIofferedtoreleaseTrixfromtheengagement，andshewouldn\'tletme，\"continuedTom，asif，havingbegunthesubject，hewishedtoexplainitthoroughly。 \"Thatsurprisedme，\"saidPolly。 \"Soitdidme，forFanalwaysinsisteditwasthemoneyandnotthemanshecaredfor。Herfirstanswerpleasedmeverymuch，forIdidnotexpectit，andnothingtouchesafellowmorethantohaveawomanstandbyhimthroughthickandthin。\" \"Shedon\'tseemtohavedoneit。\" \"Fanwasright。Trixonlywaitedtoseehowbadthingsreallywere，orratherhermotherdid。She\'sascool，hard，andworldlymindedanoldsoulasIeversaw，andTrixisboundtoobey。Shegetsrounditveryneatlyinhernote，\'Iwon\'tbeaburden，\'\'willsacrificeherhopes，\'\'andalwaysremainmywarmfriend，\'butthetruthis，TomShawrichwasworthmakingmuchof，butTomShawpoorisintheway，andmaygotothedevilasfastashelikes。\" \"Well，heisn\'tgoing!\"criedPolly，defiantly，forherwrathburnedhotlyagainstTrix，thoughsheblessedherforsettingthebondmanfree。 \"Camewithinanaceofit，\"mutteredTomtohimself；addingaloud，inatoneofcalmresignationthatassuredPollyhisheartwouldnotbebrokenthoughhisengagementwas，­； \"Itneverrainsbutitpours，\'speciallyinhardtimes，butwhenamanisdown，araportwomoredon\'tmattermuch，Isuppose。It\'sthefirstblowthathurtsmost。\" \"Gladtoseeyoutakethelastblowsowell。\"Therewasanironicallittletwangtothatspeech，andPollycouldn\'thelpit。Tomcoloredupandlookedhurtforaminute，thenseemedtorighthimselfwithashrug，andsaid，inhisoutspokenway，­； \"Totellthehonesttruth，Polly，itwasnotaveryhardone。 I\'vehadafeelingforsometimethatTrixandIwerenotsuitedtooneanother，anditmightbewisertostopshort。Butshedidnotorwouldnotseeit；andIwasnotgoingtobackout，andleavehertowearanymorewillows，sohereweare。Idon\'tbearmalice，buthopeshe\'lldobetter，andnotbedisappointedagain，uponmywordIdo。\" \"That\'sverygoodofyou，quiteSydneyesque，andnoble，\"saidPolly，feelingratherillatease，andwishingshecouldhideherselfbehindacapandspectacles，ifshewastoplayGrandmatothisconfidingyouth。 \"ItwillbeallplainsailingforSyd，Ifancy，\"observedTom，gettingupasifthelittlecricketsuddenlyceasedtobecomfortable。 \"Ihopeso，\"murmuredPolly，wonderingwhatwascomingnext。 \"Hedeservestheverybestofeverything，andIpraytheLordhemaygetit，\"addedTom，pokingthefireinadestructivemanner。 Pollymadenoanswer，fearingtopaytoomuch，forsheknewFanhadmadenoconfidantofTom，andsheguardedherfriend\'ssecretasjealouslyasherown。 \"You\'llwritetoNedto-morrow，willyou？I\'lltakeanythinghe\'sgot，forIwanttobeoff，\"saidTom，castingdownthepoker，andturningroundwitharesoluteairwhichwaslostonPolly，whosattwirlingtherosethathadfallenintoherlap。 \"I\'llwriteto-night。WouldyoulikemetotellthegirlsaboutTrixandSydney？\"sheaskedassherose，feelingthatthecouncilwasover。 \"Iwishyouwould。Idon\'tknowhowtothankyouforallyou\'vedoneforme；IwishtoheavenIdid，\"saidTom，holdingouthishandwithalookthatPollythoughtagreatdealtoogratefulforthelittleshehaddone。 Asshegavehimherhand，andlookedupathimwiththoseconfidingeyesofhers，Tom\'sgratitudeseemedtoflytohishead，for，withouttheslightestwarning，hestoopeddownandkissedher，­；aproceedingwhichstartledPollysothatherecoveredhimselfatonce，andretreatedintohisdenwiththeincoherentapology，­； \"Ibegpardon­；couldn\'thelpit­；grandmaalwaysletmeonmybirthday。\" WhilePollytookrefugeupstairs，forgettingallaboutFan，asshesatinthedarkwithherfacehidden，wonderingwhyshewasn\'tveryangry，andresolvingneveragaintoindulgeinthedelightfulbutdangerouspastimeofplayinggrandmother。ChapterXVIII。ChapterXVIII。CHAPTERXVIIITHEWOMANWHODIDNOTDAREPOLLYwroteenthusiastically，Nedansweredsatisfactorily，andaftermuchcorresponding，talking，andplanning，itwasdecidedthatTomshouldgoWest。Nevermindwhatthebusinesswas；itsufficestosaythatitwasagoodbeginningforayoungmanlikeTom，who，havingbeenbornandbredinthemostconservativeclassofthemostconceitedcityinNewEngland，neededjustthehealthy，hearty，socialinfluencesoftheWesttowidenhisviewsandmakeamanofhim。 Ofcoursetherewasmuchlamentationamongthewomen，buteveryonefeltitwasthebestthingforhim；sowhiletheysighedtheysewed，packedvisionsofabrilliantfutureawaywithhisnewpockethandkerchiefs，andrejoicedthatthewaywasopenbeforehimevenintheactofbedewinghisbootswithtears。Sydneystoodbyhimtothelast，\"likeamanandabrother\" (whichexpressionofTom\'sgaveFannyinfinitesatisfaction)，andWillfeltentirelyconsoledforNed\'sdisappointmentathisrefusaltogoandjoinhim，sinceTomwastotaketheplaceNedhadkeptforhim。 Fortunatelyeveryonewassobusywiththenecessarypreparationsthattherewasnotimeforromanceofanysort，andthefouryoungpeopleworkedtogetherassoberlyandsensiblyasifallsortsofemotionswerenotbottledupintheirrespectivehearts。Butinspiteofthesilence，thework，andthehurry，Ithinktheycametoknowoneanotherbetterinthatbusylittlespaceoftimethaninalltheyearsthathadgonebefore，forthebestandbravestineachwasupandstirring，andthesmallhousewasasfullofthemagnetismofloveandfriendship，self-sacrificeandenthusiasm，astheworldoutsidewasfullofspringsunshineandenchantment。Pitythattheendshouldcomesosoon，butthehourdiditsworkandwentitsway，leavingacleareratmospherebehind，thoughtheyoungfolksdidnotseeitthen，fortheireyesweredimbecauseofthepartingsthatmustbe。 TomwasofftotheWest；Pollywenthomeforthesummer；MaudwastakentotheseasidewithBelle；andFannyleftalonetowrestlewithhousekeeping，\"help，\"andheartache。Ifithadnotbeenfortwothings，Ifearsheneverwouldhavestoodasummerintown，butSydneyoftencalled，tillhisvacationcame，andavoluminouscorrespondencewithPollybeguiledthelongdays。 Tomwroteonceaweektohismother，buttheletterswereshortandnotverysatisfactory，formenneverdotelltheinterestinglittlethingsthatwomenbestliketohear。FannyforwardedherbitsofnewstoPolly。 PollysentbackalltheextractsfromNed\'slettersconcerningTom，andbyputtingthetworeportstogether，theygainedthecomfortableassurancethatTomwaswell，ingoodspirits，hardatwork，andintentoncomingoutstronginspiteofallobstacles。 Pollyhadaquietsummerathome，restingandgettingreadyinmindandbodyforanotherwinter\'swork，forintheautumnshetriedherplanagain，tothesatisfactionofherpupilsandthegreatjoyofherfriends。 Sheneversaidmuchofherselfinherletters，andFanny\'sfirstexclamationwhentheymetagain，wasananxious­； \"Why，Polly，dear!Haveyoubeensickandnevertoldme？\" \"No，I\'monlytired，hadagooddealtodolately，andthedullweathermakesmejustatrifleblue。IshallsoonbrightenupwhenIgettomyworkagain，\"answeredPolly，bustlingabouttoputawayherthings。 \"Youdon\'tlookabitnatural。Whathaveyoubeendoingtoyourpreciouslittleself？\"persistedFanny，troubledbythechange，yetfindingithardtosaywhereinitlay。 Pollydidnotlooksick，thoughhercheekswerethinnerandhercolorpalerthanformerly，butsheseemedspiritless，andtherewasatiredlookinhereyesthatwenttoFanny\'sheart。 \"I\'mallrightenough，asyou\'llseewhenI\'minorder。I\'mpropergladtofindyoulookingsowellandhappy。Doesallgosmoothly，Fan？\"askedPolly，beginningtobrushherhairindustriously。 \"Answermeonequestionfirst，\"saidFanny，lookingasifasuddenfearhadcomeoverher。\"Tellme，truly，haveyouneverrepentedofyourhinttoSydney？\" \"Never!\"criedPolly，throwingbackthebrownveilbehindwhichshehadhalfhiddenherfaceatfirst。 \"Onyourhonor，asanhonestgirl？\" \"Onmyhonor，asanythingyouplease。Whydoyoususpectmeofit？\" demandedPolly，almostangrily。 \"Becausesomethingiswrongwithyou。It\'snousetodenyit，foryou\'vegotthelookIusedtoseeinthatveryglassonmyownfacewhenI thoughthecaredforyou。Forgiveme，Polly，butIcan\'thelpsayingit，foritisthere，andIwanttobeastruetoyouasyouweretomeifIcan。\" Fanny\'sfacewasfullofagitation，andshespokefastandfrankly，forshewastryingtobegenerousandfounditveryhard。Pollyunderstoodnowandputherfearatrestbysayingalmostpassionately，­； \"ItellyouIdon\'tlovehim!Ifhewastheonlymanintheworld，Iwouldn\'tmarryhim，becauseI­；don\'twantto。\" Thelastthreewordswereaddedinadifferenttone，forPollyhadcheckedherselftherewithahalf-frightenedlookandturnedawaytohideherfacebehindherhairagain。 \"Thenifit\'snothim，it\'ssomeoneelse。You\'vegotasecret，Polly，andIshouldthinkyoumighttellit，asyouknowmine，\"saidFanny，unabletoresttilleverythingwastold，forPolly\'smannertroubledher。 Therewasnoanswertoherquestion，butshewassatisfiedandputtingherarmroundherfriend，shesaid，inhermostpersuasivetone，­； \"MypreciousPolly，doIknowhim？\" \"Youhaveseenhim。\" \"Andisheverywise，good，andsplendid，dear？\" \"No。\" \"Heoughttobeifyoulovehim。Ihopeheisn\'tbad？\"criedFan，anxiously，stillholdingPolly，whokeptherheadobstinatelyturned。 \"I\'msuited，that\'senough。\" \"Oh，pleasejusttellmeonethingmore。Don\'thelovebackagain？\" \"No。Nowdon\'tsayanotherword，Ican\'tbearit!\"andPollydrewherselfaway，asshespokeinadesperatesortoftone。 \"Iwon\'t，butnowI\'mnotafraidtotellyouthatIthink，Ihope，IdobelievethatSydneycaresalittleforme。He\'sbeenverykindtousall，andlatelyhehasseemedtoliketoseemealwayswhenhecomesandmissmeifI\'mgone。Ididn\'tdaretohopeanything，tillPapaobservedsomethinginhismanner，andteasedmeaboutit。Itrynottodeceivemyself，butitdoesseemasiftherewasachanceofhappinessforme。\" \"Thankheavenforthat!\"criedPolly，withtheheartiestsatisfactioninhervoice。\"Nowcomeandtellmeallaboutit，\"sheadded，sittingdownonthecouchwiththeairofonewhohasescapedagreatperil。 \"I\'vegotsomenotesandthingsIwanttoaskyouropinionabout，iftheyreallymeananything，youknow，\"saidFanny，gettingoutabundleofpapersfromtheinmostrecessesofherdesk。\"There\'saphotographofTom，cameinhislastletter。Good，isn\'tit？Helooksolder，butthat\'sthebeardandtheroughcoat，Isuppose。Dearoldfellow，heisdoingsowellIreallybegintofeelquiteproudofhim。\" Fantossedherthephotograph，andwentonrummagingforacertainnote。 ShedidnotseePollycatchupthepictureandlookatitwithhungryeyes，butshedidhearsomethinginthelowtoneinwhichPollysaid，­； \"Itdon\'tdohimjustice，\"andglancingoverhershoulder，Fan\'squickeyecaughtaglimpseofthetruth，thoughPollywashalfturnedawayfromher。Withoutstoppingtothink，Fandroppedherletters，tookPollybytheshoulders，andcriedinatonefullofastonishment，­； \"Polly，isitTom？\" PoorPollywassotakenbysurprise，thatshehadnotawordtosay。 Nonewereneeded；hertelltalefaceansweredforher，aswellastheimpulsewhichmadeherhideherheadinthesofacushion，likeafoolishostrichwhenthehuntersareafterit。