第13章

\"Oh，Polly，Iamsoglad!Ineverthoughtofit­；youaresogood，andhe\'ssuchawildboy，­；Ican\'tbelieveit­；butitissodearofyoutocareforhim。\" \"Couldn\'thelpit­；triednotto­；butitwassohard­；youknow，Fan，youknow，\"saidastifledvoicefromthedepthsoftheveryfuzzycushionwhichTomhadoncecondemned。 Thelastwords，andtheappealinghandoutstretchedtoher，toldFannythesecretofherfriend\'stendersympathyforherownlovetroubles，andseemedsopathetic，thatshetookPollyinherarms，andcriedoverher，inthefond，foolishwaygirlshaveofdoingwhentheirheartsarefull，andtearscansaymorethantongues。Thesilenceneverlastslong，however，forthefemininedesireto\"talkitover\"usuallygetsthebetterofthedeepestemotion。Sopresentlythegirlswerehardatit，Pollyveryhumbleanddowncast，Fannyexcitedandoverflowingwithcuriosityanddelight。 \"Reallymysister!Youdearthing，howheavenlythatwillbe，\"shecried。 \"Itneverwillbe，\"answeredPollyinatoneofcalmdespair。 \"Whatwillpreventit？\" \"MariaBailey，\"wasthetragicreply。 \"Whatdoyoumean？IsshetheWesterngirl？Sheshan\'thaveTom；I\'llkillherfirst!\" \"Toolate，letmetellyou­；isthatdoorshut，andMaudsafe？\" Fannyreconnoitered，andreturning，listenedbreathlessly，whilePollypouredintoherearthebittersecretwhichwaspreyingonhersoul。 \"Hasn\'thementionedMariainhisletters？\" \"Onceortwice，butsortofjokingly，andIthoughtitwasonlysomelittleflirtation。Hecan\'thavetimeformuchofthatfun，he\'ssobusy。\" \"Nedwritesgood，gossipyletters­；Itaughthimhow­；andhetellsmeallthat\'sgoingon。Whenhe\'dspokenofthisgirlseveraltimes­；(theyboardwithhermother，youknow)，­；Iaskedabouther，quitecarelessly，andhetoldmeshewaspretty，good，andwelleducated，andhethoughtTomwasrathersmitten。Thatwasablow，foryousee，Fan，sinceTrixbroketheengagement，anditwasn\'twrongtothinkofTom，Iletmyselfhope，justalittle，andwassohappy!NowImustgiveitup，andnowIseehowmuchIhoped，andwhatadreadfullossit\'sgoingtobe。\" TwogreattearsrolleddownPolly\'scheeks，andFannywipedthemaway，feelinganintensedesiretogoWestbythenexttrain，witherMariaBaileywithasinglelook，andbringTombackasagifttoPolly。 \"Itwassostupidofmenottoguessbefore。ButyouseeTomalwaysseemssolikeaboy，andyouaremorewomanlyforyouragethananygirlIknow，soIneverthoughtofyourcaringforhiminthatway。Iknewyouwereverygoodtohim，youaretoeveryone，myprecious；andIknewthathewasfondofyouasheisofme，fonderifanything，becausehethinksyouareperfect；butstillIneverdreamedofhislovingyouasmorethanadearfriend。\" \"Hedoesn\'t，\"sighedPolly。 \"Well，heought；andifIcouldgetholdofhim，heshould!\" PollyclutchedFanatthat，andheldhertight，sayingsternly，­； \"Ifyoueverbreatheaword，dropahint，lookalookthatwilltellhimoranyoneelseaboutme，I\'ll­；yes，assureasmynameisMaryMilton­；I\'llproclaimfromthehousetopsthatyoulikeAr­；\" Pollygotnofurther，forFan\'shandwasonhermouth，andFan\'salarmedvoicevehementlyprotested，­； \"Iwon\'t!IpromisesolemnlyI\'llneversayawordtoamortalcreature。Don\'tbesofierce，Polly；youquitefrightenme。\" \"It\'sbadenoughtolovesomeonewhodon\'tloveyou，buttohavethemtoldofitisperfectlyawful。Itmakesmewildjusttothinkofit。Oh，Fan，I\'mgettingsoill-temperedandenviousandwicked，Idon\'tknowwhatwillhappentome。\" \"I\'mnotafraidforyou，mydear，andIdobelievethingswillgoright，becauseyouaresogoodtoeveryone。HowTomcouldhelpadoringyouI don\'tsee。IknowhewouldifhehadstayedathomelongerafterhegotridofTrix。Itwouldbethemakingofhim；butthoughheismybrother，Idon\'tthinkhe\'sgoodenoughforyou，Polly，andIdon\'tquiteseehowyoucancareforhimsomuch，whenyoumighthavehadapersonsoinfinitelysuperior。\" \"Idon\'twanta\'superior\'person；he\'dtiremeifhewaslikeA。S。 Besides，IdothinkTomissuperiortohiminmanythings。Well，youneedn\'tstare；Iknowheis，orwillbe。He\'ssodifferent，andveryyoung，andhaslotsoffaults，Iknow，butIlikehimallthebetterforit，andhe\'shonestandbrave，andhasgotabig，warmheart，andI\'dratherhavehimcareformethanthewisest，best，mostaccomplishedmanintheworld，simplybecauseIlovehim!\" IfTomcouldonlyhaveseenPolly\'sfacewhenshesaidthat!Itwassotender，earnest，anddefiant，thatFannyforgotthedefenceofherownloverinadmirationofPolly\'sloyaltytohers；forthisfaithful，allabsorbinglovewasanewrevelationtoFanny，whowasusedtohearingherfriendsboastoftwoorthreeloversayear，andcalculatetheirrespectivevalues，withalmostasmuchcoolnessastheyoungmendiscussedthefortunesofthegirlstheywishedfor，but\"couldnotaffordtomarry。\"ShehadthoughtherloveforSydneyveryromantic，becauseshedidnotreallycarewhetherhewasrichorpoor，thoughsheneverdaredtosayso，eventoPolly，forfearofbeinglaughedat。Shebegantoseenowwhattruelovewas，andtofeelthatthesentimentwhichshecouldnotconquerwasatreasuretobeacceptedwithreverence，andcherishedwithdevotion。 \"Idon\'tknowwhenIbegantoloveTom，butIfoundoutthatIdidlastwinter，andwasasmuchsurprisedasyouare，\"continuedPolly，asifgladtounburdenherheart。\"Ididn\'tapproveofhimatall。Ithoughthewasextravagant，reckless，anddandified。IwasverymuchdisappointedwhenhechoseTrix，andthemoreIthoughtandsawofit，theworseIfelt，forTomwastoogoodforher，andIhatedtoseeherdosolittleforhim，whenshemighthavedonesomuch；becauseheisoneofthemenwhocanbeledbytheiraffections，andthewomanhemarriescanmakeormarhim。\" \"That\'strue!\"criedFan，asPollypausedtolookatthepicture，whichappearedtoregardherwithagrave，steadylook，whichseemedrathertobelieherassertions。 \"Idon\'tmeanthathe\'sweakorbad。Ifhewas，Ishouldhatehim； buthedoesneedsomeonetolovehimverymuch，andmakehimhappy，asagoodwomanbestknowshow，\"saidPolly，asifansweringthemutelanguageofTom\'sface。 \"IhopeMariaBaileyisallhethinksher，\"sheadded，softly，\"forIcouldn\'tbeartohavehimdisappointedagain。\" \"Idaresayhedon\'tcareafigforher，andyouareonlyborrowingtrouble。WhatdoyousayNedansweredwhenyouaskedaboutthisinconvenientgirl？\"saidFannyturninghopefulallatonce。 Pollyrepeatedit，andadded，\"Iaskedhiminanotherletterifhedidn\'tadmireMissB。asmuchasTom，andhewrotebackthatshewas\'anicegirl，\'buthehadnotimefornonsense，andIneedn\'tgetmywhitekidsreadyforsomeyearsyet，unlesstodanceatTom\'swedding。Sincethenhehasn\'tmentionedMaria，soIwassuretherewassomethingseriousgoingon，andbeinginTom\'sconfidence，hekeptquiet。\" \"Itdoeslookbad。SupposeIsayawordtoTom，justinquireafterhisheartinageneralway，youknow，andgivehimachancetotellme，ifthereisanythingtotell。\" \"I\'mwilling，butyoumustletmeseetheletter。Ican\'ttrustyounottohintorsaytoomuch。\" \"Youshall。I\'llkeepmypromiseinspiteofeverything，butitwillbehardtoseethingsgoingwrongwhenawordwouldsetitright。\" \"Youknowwhatwillhappenifyoudo，\"andPollylookedsothreateningthatFantrembledbeforeher，discoveringthatthegentlestgirlswhenrousedaremoreimpressivethananyshrew；foreventurtledovespeckgallantlytodefendtheirnests。 \"IfitistrueaboutMaria，whatshallwedo？\"saidFannyafterapause。 \"Bearit；Peoplealwaysdobearthings，somehow，\"answeredPolly，lookingasifsentencehadbeenpasseduponher。 \"Butifitisn\'t？\"criedFan，unabletoendurethesight。 \"ThenIshallwait。\"AndPolly\'sfacechangedsobeautifullythatFanhuggedheronthespot，ferventlywishingthatMariaBaileyneverhadbeenborn。 Thentheconversationturnedtolovernumbertwo，andafteralongconfabulation，PollygaveitasherfirmbeliefthatA。S。hadforgottenM。M。，andwasrapidlyfindingconsolationintheregardofF。S。WiththissatisfactorydecisionthecouncilendedaftertheratificationofaLoyalLeague，bywhichthefriendspledgedthemselvestostandstaunchlybyoneanother，throughthetrialsofthecomingyear。 Itwasaverydifferentwinterfromthelastforboththegirls。Fannyappliedherselftoherdutieswithredoubledardor，for\"A。S。\"wasadomesticman，andadmiredhousewifelyaccomplishments。IfFannywantedtoshowhimwhatshecoulddotowardmakingapleasanthome，shecertainlysucceededbetterthanshesuspected，forinspiteofmanyfailuresanddiscouragementsbehindthescenes，thelittlehousebecameamostattractiveplace，toMr。Sydneyatleast，forhewasmorethehouse-friendthanever，andseemeddeterminedtoprovethatchangeoffortunemadenodifferencetohim。 FannyhadbeenafraidthatPolly\'sreturnmightendangerherhopes，butSydneymetPollywiththeoldfriendliness，andverysoonconvincedherthatthenippinginthebudprocesshadbeeneffectual，forbeingtakenearly，thesproutingaffectionhaddiedeasy，andleftroomforanolderfriendshiptoblossomintoahappierlove。 Fannyseemedgladofthis，andPollysoonsetherheartatrestbyprovingthatshehadnowishtotryherpower。Shekeptmuchathomewhentheday\'sworkwasdone，findingitpleasantertositdreamingoverbookorsewingalone，thantoexertherselfeventogototheShaws\'。 \"Fandon\'tneedme，andSydneydon\'tcarewhetherIcomeornot，soI\'llkeepoutoftheway，\"shewouldsay，asiftoexcuseherseemingindolence。 Pollywasnotatalllikeherselfthatwinter，andthosenearesttohersawandwonderedatitmost。Willgotveryanxious，shewassoquiet，paleandspiritless，anddistractedpoorPollybyhisaffectionatestupidity，tillshecompletedhisbewildermentbygettingcrossandscoldinghim。 SoheconsoledhimselfwithMaud，who，nowbeinginherteens，assumeddignifiedairs，andorderedhimaboutinastylethataffordedhimcontinuedamusementandemployment。 Westernnewscontinuedvague，forFan\'sgeneralinquiriesproducedonlyprovokinglyunsatisfactoryrepliesfromTom，whosangthepraisesof\"thebeautifulMissBailey，\"andprofessedtobeconsumedbyahopelesspassionforsomebody，insuchhalf-comic，half-tragicterms，thatthegirlscouldnotdecidewhetheritwas\"allthatboy\'smischief，\"oronlyacloaktohidethedreadfultruth。 \"We\'llhaveitoutofhimwhenhecomeshomeinthespring，\"saidFannytoPolly，astheycomparedthelettersoftheirbrothers，andagreedthat\"menwerethemostuncommunicativeandprovokinganimalsunderthesun。\" ForNedwassoabsorbedinbusinessthatheignoredthewholeBaileyquestionandlefttheminutterdarkness。 Hungerofanysortisahardthingtobear，especiallywhenthesuffererhasayouthfulappetite，andPollywaskeptonsuchashortallowanceofhappinessforsixmonths，thatshegotquitethinandinteresting；andoften，whenshesawhowbighereyesweregetting，andhowplainlytheveinsonhertemplesshowed，indulgedthepensivethoughtthatperhapsspringdandelionsmightblossomo\'erhergrave。ShehadnointentionofdyingtillTom\'svisitwasover，however，andasthetimedrewnear，shewentthroughsuchalternationsofhopeandfear，andlivedinsuchastateoffeverishexcitement，thatspiritsandcolorcameback，andshesawthattheinterestingpallorshehadcountedonwouldbeanentirefailure。 Maycameatlast，andwithitaburstofsunshinewhichcheeredevenpoorPolly\'smuch-enduringheart。Fannycamewalkinginuponheroneday，lookingasifshebroughttidingsofsuchgreatjoythatshehardlyknewhowtotellthem。 \"Prepareyourself­；somebodyisengaged!\"shesaid，inasolemntone，thatmadePollyputupherhandasiftowardoffanexpectedblow。\"No，don\'tlooklikethat，mypoordear；itisn\'tTom，it\'s­；I!\" Ofcoursetherewasarapture，followedbyoneofthedeliciouslyconfidentialtalkswhichbosomfriendsenjoy，interspersedwithtearsandkisses，smilesandsighs。 \"Oh，Polly，thoughI\'vewaitedandhopedsolongIcouldn\'tbelieveitwhenitcame，anddon\'tdeserveit；butIwill!fortheknowledgethathelovesmeseemstomakeeverythingpossible，\"saidFanny，withanexpressionwhichmadeherreallybeautiful，forthefirsttimeinherlife。 \"Youhappygirl!\"sighedPolly，thensmiledandadded，\"Ithinkyoudeserveallthat\'scometoyou，foryouhavetrulytriedtobeworthyofit，andwhetheritevercameornotthatwouldhavebeenathingtobeproudof。\" \"Hesaysthatiswhatmadehimloveme，\"answeredFanny，nevercallingherloverbyhisname，butmakingthelittlepersonalpronounaverysweetwordbythetoneinwhichsheutteredit。\"Hewasdisappointedinmelastyear，hetoldme，butyousaidgoodthingsaboutmeandthoughhedidn\'tcaremuchthen，yetwhenhelostyou，andcamebacktome，hefoundthatyouwerenotaltogethermistaken，andhehaswatchedmeallthiswinter，learningtorespectandlovemebettereveryday。Oh，Polly，whenhesaidthat，Icouldn\'tbearit，becauseinspiteofallmytrying，I\'mstillsoweakandpoorandsilly。\" \"Wedon\'tthinkso；andIknowyou\'llbeallhehopestofindyou，forhe\'sjustthehusbandyououghttohave。\" \"Thankyouallthemore，then，fornotkeepinghimyourself，\"saidFanny，laughingtheoldblithelaughagain。 \"Thatwasonlyaslightaberrationofhis；heknewbetterallthetime。 Itwasyourwhitecloakandmyidioticbehaviorthenightwewenttotheoperathatputtheideaintohishead，\"saidPolly，feelingasiftheeventsofthateveninghadhappenedsometwentyyearsago，whenshewasagiddyyoungthing，fondofgaybonnetsandgirlishpranks。 \"I\'mnotgoingtotellTomawordaboutit，butkeepitforasurprisetillhecomes。Hewillbeherenextweek，andthenwe\'llhaveagrandclearingupofmysteries，\"saidFan，evidentlyfeelingthatthemillenniumwasathand。 \"Perhaps，\"saidPolly，asherheartflutteredandthensunk，forthiswasacasewhereshecoulddonothingbuthope，andkeepherhandsbusywithWill\'snewsetofshirts。 Thereisagooddealmoreofthissortofsilentsufferingthantheworldsuspects，forthe\"womenwhodare\"arefew，thewomenwho\"standandwait\"aremany。Butifwork-basketsweregiftedwithpowersofspeech，theycouldtellstoriesmoretrueandtenderthananyweread。Forwomenoftensewthetragedyorcomedyoflifeintotheirworkastheysitapparentlysafeandsereneathome，yetarethinkingdeeply，livingwholeheart-histories，andprayingferventprayerswhiletheyembroiderprettytriflesordotheweeklymending。ChapterXIX。ChapterXIX。CHAPTERXIXTOM\'SSUCCESS\"Come，Philander，letusbeamarching，Everyonehistrueloveasearching，\"WOULDbethemostappropriatemottoforthischapter，because，intimidatedbythethreats，denunciations，andcomplaintsshowereduponmeinconsequenceoftakingthelibertytoendacertainstoryasIliked，Inowyieldtotheamiabledesireofgivingsatisfaction，and，attheriskofoutragingalltheunities，intendtopairoffeverybodyIcanlaymyhandson。 Occasionallyamatrimonialepidemicappears，especiallytowardspring，devastatingsociety，thinningtheranksofbachelordom，andleavingmotherslamentingfortheirfairestdaughters。ThatspringthediseasebrokeoutwithgreatviolenceintheShawcircle，causingpaternalheadsmuchbewilderment，asonecaseafteranotherappearedwithalarmingrapidity。Fanny，aswehaveseen，wasstrickenfirst，andhardlyhadshebeencarriedsafelythroughthecrisis，whenTomreturnedtoswellthelistofvictims。AsFannywasoutagooddealwithherArthur，whowassurethatexercisewasnecessaryfortheconvalescent，PollywenteverydaytoseeMrs。Shaw，whofoundherselflonely，thoughmuchbetterthanusual，fortheengagementhadafinereffectuponherconstitutionthananytonicsheevertried。SomethreedaysafterFan\'sjoyfulcallPollywasstartledonenteringtheShaws\' door，byMaud，whocametumblingdownstairs，sendinganavalancheofwordsbeforeher，­； \"He\'scomebeforehesaidheshouldtosurpriseus!He\'supinmamma\'sroom，andwasjustsaying，\'How\'sPolly？\'whenIheardyoucome，inyourcreep-mouseway，andyoumustgorightup。Helookssofunnywithwhiskers，buthe\'seversonice，realbigandbrown，andheswungmerightupwhenhekissedme。Nevermindyourbonnet，Ican\'twait。\" AndpouncinguponPolly，Mauddraggedherawaylikeacapturedshiptowedbyanoisylittlesteam-tug。 \"Thesoonerit\'soverthebetterforme，\"wastheonlythoughtPollyhadtimeforbeforesheplungedintotheroomabove，propelledbyMaud，whocriedtriumphantly，­； \"Thereheis!Ain\'thesplendid？\" Foraminute，everythingdancedbeforePolly\'seyes，asahandshookherswarmly，andagruffishvoicesaidheartily，­； \"Howareyou，Polly？\"ThensheslippedintoachairbesideMrs。 Shaw，hopingthatherreplyhadbeenallrightandproper，forshehadnottheleastideawhatshesaid。 Thingsgotsteadyagaindirectly，andwhileMaudexpatiatedonthegreatsurprise，PollyventuredtolookatTom，feelinggladthatherbackwastowardthelight，andhiswasnot。Itwasnotalargeroom，andTomseemedtofillitentirely；notthathehadgrownsoverymuch，exceptbroaderintheshoulders，buttherewasabrisk，genial，free-and-easyairabouthim，suggestiveofastirring，out-of-doorlife，withpeoplewhokepttheireyeswideopen，andwerenotveryparticularwhattheydidwiththeirarmsandlegs。Therough-and-readytravellingsuit，stoutboots，brownface，andmanlybeard，changedhimsomuch，thatPollycouldfindscarcelyatraceofelegantTomShawinthehearty-lookingyoungmanwhostoodwithonefootonachair，whilehetalkedbusinesstohisfatherinasensibleway，whichdelightedtheoldgentleman。Pollylikedthechangeimmensely，andsatlisteningtothestateofWesterntradewithasmuchinterestasifithadbeenthemostthrillingromance，for，ashetalked，Tomkeptlookingatherwithanodorasmilesolikeoldtimes，thatforalittlewhile，sheforgotMariaBailey，andwasinbliss。 ByandbyFannycameflyingin，andgaveTomagreatersurprisethanhishadbeen。Hehadnottheleastsuspicionofwhathadbeengoingonathome，forFanhadsaidtoherself，withgirlishmalice，\"Ifhedon\'tchoosetotellmehissecrets，I\'mnotgoingtotellmine，\"andhadsaidnothingaboutSydney，exceptanoccasionalallusiontohisbeingoftenthere，andverykind。Therefore，whensheannouncedherengagement，Tomlookedsostaggeredforaminute，thatFanthoughthedidn\'tlikeit； butafterthefirstsurprisepassed，heshowedsuchanaffectionatesatisfaction，thatshewasbothtouchedandflattered。 \"Whatdoyouthinkofthisperformance？\"askedTom，wheelingroundtoPolly，whostillsatbyMrs。Shaw，intheshadowofthebed-curtains。 \"Ilikeitverymuch，\"shesaidinsuchaheartytone，thatTomcouldnotdoubtthegenuinenessofherpleasure。 \"Gladofthat。Hopeyou\'llbeaswellpleasedwithanotherengagementthat\'scomingoutbeforelong\"；andwithanoddlaugh，TomcarriedSydneyofftohisden，leavingthegirlstotelegraphtooneanothertheawfulmessage，­； \"ItisMariaBailey。\" Howshemanagedtogetthroughthatevening，Pollyneverknew，yetitwasnotalongone，forateighto\'clocksheslippedoutoftheroom，meaningtorunhomealone，andnotcompelanyonetoserveasescort。Butshedidnotsucceed，forasshestoodwarmingherrubbersatthedining-roomfire，wonderingpensivelyasshedidsoifMariaBaileyhadsmallfeet，andifTomeverputherrubbersonforher，thelittleovershoesweretakenoutofherhands，andTom\'svoicesaid，reproachfully，­； \"Didyoureallymeantorunaway，andnotletmegohomewithyou？\" \"I\'mnotafraid；Ididn\'twanttotakeyouaway，\"beganPolly，secretlyhopingthatshedidn\'tlooktoopleased。 \"ButIliketobetakenaway。Why，it\'sawholeyearsinceIwenthomewithyou；doyourememberthat？\"saidTom，flappingtherubbersaboutwithoutanysignsofhaste。 \"Doesitseemlong？\" \"Everlasting!\" Pollymeanttosaythatquiteeasily，andsmileincredulouslyathisanswer；butinspiteofthecoquettishlittlerose-coloredhoodshewore，andwhichsheknewwasverybecoming，shedidnotlookorspeakgayly，andTomsawsomethinginthealteredfacethatmadehimsayhastily，­； \"I\'mafraidyou\'vebeendoingtoomuchthiswinter；youlooktiredout，Polly。\" \"Oh，no!itsuitsmetobeverybusy，\"andshebegantodragonherglovesasiftoproveit。 \"Butitdoesn\'tsuitmetohaveyougetthinandpale，youknow。\" Pollylookeduptothankhim，butneverdid，fortherewassomethingdeeperthangratitudeinthehonestblueeyes，thatcouldnothidethetruthentirely。Tomsawit，flushedalloverhisbrownface，anddroppingtherubberswithacrash，tookherhands，saying，inhisoldimpetuousway，­； \"Polly，Iwanttotellyousomething!\" \"Yes，Iknow，we\'vebeenexpectingit。Ihopeyou\'llbeveryhappy，Tom；\"andPollyshookhishandswithasmilethatwasmorepatheticthanafloodoftears。 \"What!\"criedTom，lookingasifhethoughtshehadlosthermind。 \"Nedtoldusallabouther；hethoughtitwouldbeso，andwhenyouspokeofanotherengagement，weknewyoumeantyourown。\" \"ButIdidn\'t!Ned\'stheman；hetoldmetotellyou。It\'sjustsettled。\" \"IsitMaria？\"criedPolly，holdingontoachairasiftobepreparedforanything。 \"Ofcourse。Whoelseshoulditbe？\" \"Hedidn\'tsay­；youtalkedabouthermost­；andsowethought­；\" stammeredPolly，fallingintoasuddenflutter。 \"ThatIwasinlove？Well，Iam，butnotwithher。\" \"Oh!\"andPollycaughtherbreathasifadashofcoldwaterhadfallenonher，forthemoreinearnestTomgrew，theblunterhebecame。 \"DoyouwanttoknowthenameofthegirlI\'velovedformorethanayear？Well，it\'sPolly!\"Ashespoke，Tomstretchedouthisarmstoher，withthesortofmuteeloquencethatcannotberesisted，andPollywentstraightintothem，withoutaword。 Nevermindwhathappenedforalittlebit。Lovescenes，ifgenuine，areindescribable；fortothosewhohaveenactedthem，themostelaboratedescriptionseemstame，andtothosewhohavenot，thesimplestpictureseemsoverdone。Soromancershadbetterletimaginationpaintforthemthatwhichisaboveallart，andleavetheirloverstothemselvesduringthehappiestminutesoftheirlives。 Beforelong，TomandPollyweresittingsidebyside，enjoyingtheblissfulstateofmindwhichusuallyfollowsthefirststepoutofourwork-a-dayworld，intotheglorifiedregionwhereinloversrapturouslyexistforamonthortwo。TomjustsatandlookedatPollyasifhefounditdifficulttobelievethatthewinterofhisdiscontenthadendedinthisgloriousspring。ButPolly，beingatruewoman，askedquestions，evenwhileshelaughedandcriedforjoy。 \"Now，Tom，howcouldIknowyoulovedmewhenyouwentawayandneversaidaword？\"shebegan，inatenderlyreproachfultone，thinkingofthehardyearshehadspent。 \"AndhowcouldIhavethecouragetosayaword，whenIhadnothingonthefaceoftheearthtoofferyoubutmyworthlessself？\"answeredTom，warmly。 \"ThatwasallIwanted!\"whisperedPolly，inatonewhichcausedhimtofeelthattheraceofangelswasnotentirelyextinct。 \"I\'vealwaysbeenfondofyou，myPolly，butIneverrealizedhowfondtilljustbeforeIwentaway。Iwasn\'tfree，youknow，andbesidesIhadastrongimpressionthatyoulikedSydneyinspiteofthedamperwhichFanhintedyougavehimlastwinter。He\'ssuchacapitalfellow，Ireallydon\'tseehowyoucouldhelpit。\" \"Itisstrange；Idon\'tunderstanditmyself；butwomenarequeercreatures，andthere\'snoaccountingfortheirtastes，\"saidPolly，withaslylook，whichTomfullyappreciated。 \"Youweresogoodtomethoselastdays，thatIcameverynearspeakingout，butcouldn\'tbeartoseemtobeofferingyouapoor，disgracedsortoffellow，whomTrixwouldn\'thave，andnooneseemedtothinkworthmuch。 \'No，\'Isaidtomyself，\'Pollyoughttohavethebest；ifSydcangether，lethim，andIwon\'tsayaword。I\'lltrytobebetterworthyherfriendship，anyway；andperhaps，whenI\'veprovedthatIcandosomething，andamnotashamedtowork，then，ifPollyisfree，Ishan\'tbeafraidtotrymychance。\'SoIheldmytongue，workedlikeahorse，satisfiedmyselfandothersthatIcouldgetmylivinghonestly，andthencamehometoseeiftherewasanyhopeforme。\" \"AndIwaswaitingforyouallthetime，\"saidasoftvoiceclosetohisshoulder；forPollywasmuchtouchedbyTom\'smanlyeffortstodeserveher。 \"Ididn\'tmeantodoitthefirstminute，butlookaboutmealittle，andbesureSydwasallright。ButFan\'snewssettledthatpoint，andjustnowthelookinmyPolly\'sfacesettledtheother。Icouldn\'twaitanotherminute，orletyoueither，andIcouldn\'thelpstretchingoutmyarmstomylittlewife，Godblessher，thoughIknowIdon\'tdeserveher。\" Tom\'svoicegotlowerandlowerashespoke，andhisfacewasfullofanemotionofwhichheneednotbeashamed，foraverysincereloveennobledhim，makinghimhumble，whereashalloweraffectionwouldhavebeenproudofitssuccess。Pollyunderstoodthis，andfoundthehonest，heartyspeechofherlovermoreeloquentthanpoetryitself。Herhandstoleuptohischeek，andsheleanedherownconfidinglyagainsttheroughcoat，asshesaid，inherfranksimpleway，­； \"Tom，dear，don\'tsaythat，asifIwasthebestgirlintheworld。 I\'vegoteversomanyfaults，andIwantyoutoknowthemall，andhelpmecurethem，asyouhaveyourown。Waitinghasnotdoneusanyharm，andIloveyouallthebetterforyourtrial。ButI\'mafraidyouryearhasbeenharderthanmine，youlooksomucholderandgraverthanwhenyouwentaway。Youneverwouldcomplain；butI\'vehadafeelingthatyouweregoingthroughagooddealmorethananyofusguessed。\" \"Prettytoughworkatfirst，Iown。Itwasallsonewandstrange，I \'mafraidIshouldn\'thavestooditifithadnotbeenforNed。He\'dlaughandsay\'Pooh!\'ifheheardmesayit，butit\'strueneverthelessthathe\'sagrandfellowandhelpedmethroughthefirstsixmonthslikea­；well，abrotherasheis。Therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldgooutofhiswaytobackupashiftlesspartylikeme，yethedid，andmademanythingseasyandsafethatwouldhavebeenconfoundedlyhardanddangerousifI\'dbeenlefttomyself。TheonlywayIcanexplainitisthatit\'safamilytrait，andasnaturaltothebrotherasitistothesister。\" \"It\'saShawtraittodothesame。ButtellmeaboutMaria；isNedreallyengagedtoher？\" \"Verymuchso；you\'llgetaletterfullofrapturestomorrow；hehadn\'ttimetosendbyme，Icameoffinsuchahurry。Mariaisasensible，prettygirlandNedwillbeahappyoldfellow。\" \"Whydidyouletusthinkitwasyou？\" \"IonlyteasedFanalittle；IdidlikeMaria，forsheremindedmeofyousometimes，andwassuchakind，cosylittlewomanIcouldn\'thelpenjoyinghersocietyafterahardday\'swork。ButNedgotjealous，andthenIknewthathewasinearnest，soIlefthimaclearfield，andpromisednottobreatheawordtoanyonetillhehadgotaYesorNofromhisMaria。\" \"IwishI\'dknownit，\"sighedPolly。\"Peopleinlovealwaysdosuchstupidthings!\" \"Sotheydo；forneitheryounorFangaveuspoorfellowstheleasthintaboutSyd，andthereI\'vebeenhavingallsortsofscaresaboutyou。\" \"Servesusright；brothersandsistersshouldn\'thavesecretsfromeachother。\" \"Weneverwillagain。Didyoumissmeverymuch？\" \"Yes，Tom；very，verymuch。\" \"MypatientlittlePolly!\" \"Didyoureallycareformebeforeyouwent？\" \"SeeifIdidn\'t；\"andwithgreatprideTomproducedaportlypocket-bookstuffedwithbusiness-likedocumentsofamostimposingappearance，openedaprivatecompartment，andtookoutaworn-lookingpaper，unfoldeditcarefully，anddisplayedasmallbrownobjectwhichgaveoutafaintfragrance。 \"That\'stheroseyouputinthebirthdaycake，andnextweekwe\'llhaveafreshoneinanotherjollylittlecakewhichyou\'llmakeme；youleftitonthefloorofmydenthenightwetalkedthere，andI\'vekeptiteversince。There\'sloveandromanceforyou!\" Pollytouchedthelittlerelic，treasuredforayear，andsmiledtoreadthewords\"MyPolly\'srose，\"scribbledunderthecrumblingleaves。 \"Ididn\'tknowyoucouldbesosentimental，\"shesaid，lookingsopleasedthathedidnotregretconfessinghisfolly。 \"IneverwastillIlovedyou，mydear，andI\'mnotverybadyet，forIdon\'twearmyposynextmyheart，butwhereIcanseeiteveryday，andsoneverforgetforwhomIamworking。Shouldn\'twonderifthatbitofnonsensehadkeptmeeconomical，honest，andhardatit，forIneveropenedmypocket-bookthatIdidn\'tthinkofyou。\" \"That\'slovely，Tom，\"andPollyfounditsotouchingthatshefeltforherhandkerchief；butTomtookitaway，andmadeherlaughinsteadofcry，bysaying，inawheedlesometone，­； \"Idon\'tbelieveyoudidasmuch，forallyourromance。Didyou，now？\" \"Ifyouwon\'tlaugh，I\'llshowyoumytreasures。Ibeganfirst，andI\'vewornthemlongest。\" Asshespoke，Pollydrewouttheoldlocket，openedit，andshowedthepictureTomgaveherinthebagofpeanutscutsmallandfittedinononesideontheotherwasacurlofreddishhairandablackbutton。HowTomlaughedwhenhesawthem! \"Youdon\'tmeanyou\'vekeptthatfrightfulguyofaboyallthistime？ Polly!Polly!youarethemostfaithful\'loveress，\'asMaudsays，thatwaseverknown。\" \"Don\'tflatteryourselfthatI\'vewornitalltheseyears，sir；IonlyputitinlastspringbecauseIdidn\'tdaretoaskforoneofthenewones。Thebuttoncameofftheoldcoatyouinsistedonwearingafterthefailure，asifitwasyourdutytolookasshabbyaspossible，andthecurlIstolefromMaud。Aren\'twesilly？\" Hedidnotseemtothinkso，andafterashortpauseforrefreshments，Pollyturnedserious，andsaidanxiously，­； \"Whenmustyougobacktoyourhardwork？\" \"Inaweekortwo；butitwon\'tseemdrudgerynow，foryou\'llwriteeveryday，andIshallfeelthatI\'mworkingtogetahomeforyou。Thatwillgivemeaforty-man-power，andI\'llpayupmydebtsandgetagoodstart，andthenNedandIwillbemarriedandgointopartnership，andwe\'llallbethehappiest，busiestpeopleintheWest。\" \"Itsoundsdelightful；butwon\'tittakealongtime，Tom？\" \"Onlyafewyears，andweneedn\'twaitaminuteafterSydispaid，ifyoudon\'tmindbeginningratherlowdown，Polly。\" \"I\'dratherworkupwithyou，thansitidlewhileyoutoilawayallalone。That\'sthewayfatherandmotherdid，andIthinktheywereveryhappyinspiteofthepovertyandhardwork。\" \"Thenwe\'lldoitbyanotheryear，forImustgetmoresalarybeforeItakeyouawayfromagoodhomehere。Iwish，oh，Polly，howIwishI hadahalfofthemoneyI\'vewasted，tomakeyoucomfortable，now。\" \"Nevermind，Idon\'twantit；I\'dratherhaveless，andknowyouearneditallyourself，\"criedPolly，asTomstruckhishandonhiskneewithanacutepangofregretatthepowerhehadlost。 \"It\'slikeyoutosayit，andIwon\'twasteanywordsbewailingmyself，becauseIwasafool。Wewillworkuptogether，mybravePolly，andyoushallyetbeproudofyourhusband，thoughheis\'poorTomShaw。\'\" Shewasassureofthatasifanoraclehadforetoldit，andwasnotdeceived；forthelovingheartthathadalwaysseen，believed，andtriedtostrengthenallgoodimpulsesinTom，waswellrepaidforitsinstinctivetrustbythehappinessoftheyearstocome。 \"Yes，\"shesaid，hopefully，\"Iknowyouwillsucceed，forthebestthingamancanhave，isworkwithapurposeinit，andthewilltodoitheartily。\" \"Thereisonebetterthing，Polly，\"answeredTom，turningherfaceupalittle，thathemightseehisinspirationshininginhereyes。 \"Whatisit，dear？\" \"Agoodwomantoloveandhelphimallhislife，asyouwillme，pleaseGod。\" \"Eventhoughsheisold-fashioned，\"whisperedPolly，withhappyeyes，thebrighterfortheirtears，asshelookedupattheyoungman，who，throughher，hadcaughtaglimpseofthetruestsuccess，andwasnotashamedtooweittoloveandlabor，twobeautifuloldfashionsthatbeganlongago，withthefirstpairinEden。 LestanyofmyyoungreaderswhohavehonoredMaudwiththeirinterestshouldsufferthepangsofunsatisfiedcuriosityastoherfuture，IwilladdfortheirbenefitthatshedidnotmarryWill，butremainedabusy，livelyspinsterallherdays，andkepthouseforherfatherinthemostdelightfulmanner。 Will\'sministerialdreamcametopassinthecourseoftime，however，andagentle，bright-eyedladyruledovertheparsonage，whomthereverendWilliamcalledhis\"littleJane。\" Fartherintofuturityeventhisrashpendaresnotproceed，butpauseshere，concludinginthewordsofthedearoldfairytales，\"Andsotheyweremarried，andalllivedhappilytilltheydied。\"