第2章

Pollydiscreetlyfellbehind，andamusedherselflookingintoshop-windows，tillFanny，mindfulofhermanners，evenatsuchaninterestingtime，tookherintoapicturegallery，andbadeherenjoytheworksofartwhiletheyrested。ObedientPollywentthroughtheroomseveraltimes，apparentlyexaminingthepictureswiththeinterestofaconnoisseur，andtryingnottohearthemildprattleofthepairontheroundseat。Butshecouldn\'thelpwonderingwhatFanfoundsoabsorbinginanaccountofarecentGerman，andwhysheneedpromisesosolemnlynottoforgettheconcertthatafternoon。

WhenFannyroseatlast，Polly\'stiredfacereproachedher；andtakingahastyleaveofthesmallgentleman，sheturnedhomeward，saying，confidentially，assheputonehandinPolly\'smuff，"Now，mydear，youmustn\'tsayawordaboutFrankMoore，orpapawilltakemyheadoff。Idon\'tcareabitforhim，andhelikesTrix；onlytheyhavequarrelled，andhewantstomakehermadbyflirtingalittlewithme。Iscoldedhimwell，andhepromisedtomakeupwithher。Weallgototheafternoonconcerts，andhaveagaytime，andBelleandTrixaretobethereto-day；sojustkeepquiet，andeverythingwillbeallright。"

"I\'mafraiditwon\'t，"beganPolly，who，notbeingusedtosecrets，founditveryhardtokeepevenasmallone。

"Don\'tworry，child。It\'snoneofourbusiness；sowecangoandenjoythemusic，andifotherpeopleflirt，itwon\'tbeourfault，"saidFanny，impatiently。

"Ofcoursenot；but，then，ifyourfatherdon\'tlikeyoutodoso，oughtyoutogo？"

"Itellmamma，andshedon\'tcare。Papaisfussy，andgrandmamakesastirabouteveryblessedthingIdo。Youwillholdyourtongue，won\'tyou？"

"Yes；Itrulywill；Inevertelltales。"AndPollykeptherword，feelingsureFandidn\'tmeantodeceiveherfather，sinceshetoldhermothereverything。

"Whoareyougoingwith？"askedMrs。Shaw，whenFannymentionedthatitwasconcert-day，justbeforethreeo\'clock。

"OnlyPolly；shelikesmusic，anditwassostormyIcouldn\'tgolastweek，youknow，"answeredFan；adding，astheyleftthehouseagain，"Ifanyonemeetsusontheway，Ican\'thelpit，canI？"

"Youcantellthemnotto，can\'tyou？"

"That\'srude。Dearme!here\'sBelle\'sbrotherGus­；healwaysgoes。Ismyhairallright，andmyhat？

BeforePollycouldanswer，Mr。Gusjoinedthemasamatterofcourse，andPollysoonfoundherselftrottingonbehind，feelingthatthingswerenot"allright，"thoughshedidn\'tknowhowtomendthem。Beingfondofmusic，sheignorantlysupposedthateveryoneelsewentforthatalone，andwasmuchdisturbedbythewhisperingthatwentonamongtheyoungpeopleroundher。BelleandTrixwerethereinfulldress；and，inthepausesbetweendifferentpieces，Messrs。FrankandGus，withseveralother"splendidfellows，"regaledtheyoungladieswithcollegegossip，andbitsofnewsfullofinterest，tojudgefromthecloseattentionpaidtotheireloquentremarks。Pollyregardedthesenoblebeingswithawe，andtheyrecognizedherexistencewiththecondescensionoftheirsex；buttheyevidentlyconsideredheronly"aquietlittlething，"andfindinghernotuptosocietytalk，blandlyignoredtheprettychild，anddevotedthemselvestotheyoungladies。

FortunatelyforPolly，sheforgotallabouttheminherenjoymentofthefinemusic，whichshefeltratherthanunderstood，andsatlisteningwithsuchahappyface，thatseveraltruemusic-loverswatchedhersmilingly，forherheartgaveablithewelcometothemelodywhichputthelittleinstrumentintune。Itwasduskwhentheywentout，andPollywasmuchrelievedtofindthecarriagewaitingforthem，becauseplayingthirdfiddlewasnottohertaste，andshehadhadenoughofitforoneday。

"I\'mgladthosemenaregone；theydidworrymesotalking，whenI

wantedtohear，"saidPolly，astheyrolledaway。

"Whichdidyoulikebest？"askedFanny，withalanguidairofsuperiority。

"Theplainone，whodidn\'tsaymuch；hepickedupmymuffwhenittumbleddown，andtookcareofmeinthecrowd；theothersdidn\'tmindanythingaboutme。"

"Theythoughtyouwerealittlegirl，Isuppose。"

"Mymothersaysarealgentlemanisaspolitetoalittlegirlastoawoman；soIlikeMr。Sydneybest，becausehewaskindtome。"

"Whatasharpchildyouare，Polly。Ishouldn\'thavethoughtyou\'dmindthingslikethat，"saidFanny，beginningtounderstandthattheremaybeagooddealofwomanlinesseveninalittlegirl。

"I\'musedtogoodmanners，thoughIdoliveinthecountry，"repliedPolly，ratherwarmly，forshedidn\'tliketobepatronizedevenbyherfriends。

"Grandmasaysyourmotherisaperfectlady，andyouarejustlikeher；

sodon\'tgetinapassionwiththosepoorfellows，andI\'llseethattheybehavebetternexttime。Tomhasnomannersatall，andyoudon\'tcomplainofhim，"addedFan，withalaugh。

"Idon\'tcareifhehasn\'t；he\'saboy，andactslikeone，andIcangetonwithhimagreatdealbetterthanIcanwiththosemen。"

FannywasjustgoingtotakePollytotaskforsaying"thosemen"insuchadisrespectfultone，whenbothwerestartledbyasmothered"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"

fromundertheoppositeseat。

"It\'sTom!"criedFanny；andwiththewordsouttumbledthatincorrigibleboy，redintheface，andbreathlesswithsuppressedlaughter。Seatinghimself，hesurveyedthegirlsasifwellsatisfiedwiththesuccessofhisprank，andwaitingtobecongratulateduponit。"Didyouhearwhatweweresaying？"demandedFanny，uneasily。

"Oh，didn\'tI，everyword？"AndTomexultedoverthemvisibly。

"Didyoueverseesuchaprovokingtoad，Polly？Now，Isupposeyou\'llgoandtellpapaagreatstory。"

"P\'r\'apsIshall，andp\'r\'apsIshan\'t。HowPollydidhopwhenIcrowed!

Iheardhersqueal，andsawhercuddleupherfeet。"

"Andyouhearduspraiseyourmanners，didn\'tyou？"askedPolly，slyly。

"Yes，andyouliked\'em；soIwon\'ttellonyou，"saidTom，withare-assuringnod。

"There\'snothingtotell。"

"Ain\'tthere，though？Whatdoyousupposethegovernorwillsaytoyougirlsgoingonsowiththosedandies？Isawyou。"

"WhathastheGovernorofMassachusettstodowithus？"askedPolly，tryingtolookasifshemeantwhatshesaid。

"Pooh!youknowwhoImean；soyouneedn\'ttrytocatchmeup，asgrandmadoes。"

"Tom，I\'llmakeabargainwithyou，"criedFanny，eagerly。"Itwasn\'tmyfaultthatGusandFrankwerethere，andIcouldn\'thelptheirspeakingtome。IdoaswellasIcan，andpapaneedn\'tbeangry；forIbehaveeversomuchbetterthansomeofthegirls。Don\'tI，Polly？"

"Bargain？"observedTom，withaneyetobusiness。

"Ifyouwon\'tgoandmakeafuss，tellingwhatyou\'dnorighttohear­；itwassomeantohideandlisten；Ishouldthinkyou\'dbeashamedofit!­；I

\'llhelpyouteaseforyourvelocipede，andwon\'tsayawordagainstit，whenmammaandgrannybegpapanottoletyouhaveit。"

"Willyou？"andTompausedtoconsidertheofferinallitsbearings。

"Yes，andPollywillhelp；won\'tyou？"

"I\'drathernothaveanythingtodowithit；butI\'llbequiet，andnotdoanyharm。"

"Whywon\'tyou？"askedTom，curiously。

"Becauseitseemslikedeceiving。"

"Well，papaneedn\'tbesofussy，"saidFan，petulantly。

"AfterhearingaboutthatCarrie，andtherest，Idon\'twonderheisfussy。Whydon\'tyoutellrightout，andnotdoitanymore，ifhedon\'twantyouto？"saidPolly，persuasively。

"Doyougoandtellyourfatherandmothereverythingrightout？"

"Yes，Ido；anditsaveseversomuchtrouble。"

"Ain\'tyouafraidofthem？"

"OfcourseI\'mnot。It\'shardtotellsometimes；butit\'ssocomfortablewhenit\'sover。"

"Let\'s!"wasTom\'sbriefadvice。

"Mercyme!whatafussaboutnothing!"saidFanny，readytocrywithvexation。

"Tisn\'tnothing。Youknowyouareforbiddentogogallivantingroundwiththosechaps，andthat\'sthereasonyou\'reinapuckernow。Iwon\'tmakeanybargain，andIwilltell，"returnedTom，seizedwithasuddenfitofmoralfirmness。

"WillyouifIpromisenever，nevertodosoanymore？"askedFanny，meekly；forwhenThomastookmattersintohisownhands，hissisterusuallysubmittedinspiteofherself。

"I\'llthinkaboutit；andifyoubehave，maybeIwon\'tdoitatall。

Icanwatchyoubetterthanpapacan；so，ifyoutryitagain，it\'sallupwithyou，miss，"saidTom，findingitimpossibletoresistthepleasureoftyrannizingalittlewhenhegotthechance。

"Shewon\'t；don\'tplagueheranymore，andshewillbegoodtoyouwhenyougetintoscrapes，"answeredPolly，withherarmroundFan。

"Ineverdo；andifIdid，Ishouldn\'taskagirltohelpmeout。"

"Whynot？I\'daskyouinaminute，ifIwasintrouble，"saidPolly，inherconfidingway。

"Wouldyou？Well，I\'dputyouthrough，assureasmyname\'sTomShaw。

Now，then，don\'tslip，Polly，"andMr。Thomashelpedthemoutwithunusualpoliteness，forthatfriendlylittlespeechgratifiedhim。Hefeltthatonepersonappreciatedhim；andithadagoodeffectuponmannersandtempermaderoughandbelligerentbyconstantsnubbingandopposition。

Afterteathatevening，FannyproposedthatPollyshouldshowherhowtomakemolassescandy，asitwascook\'sholiday，andthecoastwouldbeclear。Hopingtopropitiatehertormentor，FaninvitedTomtojoinintherevel，andPollybeggedthatMaudmightsitupandseethefun；soallfourdescendedtothebigkitchen，armedwithaprons，hammers，spoons，andpans，andPollyassumedcommandoftheforces。Tomwassettocrackingnuts，andMaudtopickingoutthemeats，forthecandywastobe"tip-top。"

FanwaitedonPollycook，whohoveredoverthekettleofboilingmolassestillherfacewasthecolorofapeony。"Now，putinthenuts，"shesaidatlast；andTomemptiedhisplateintothefoamysyrup，whiletheotherswatchedwithdeepinterestthemysteriousconcoctionofthiswell-belovedsweetmeat。"Ipouritintothebutteredpan，yousee，anditcools，andthenwecaneatit，"explainedPolly，suitingtheactiontotheword。

"Why，it\'sallfullofshells!"exclaimedMaud，peeringintothepan。

"Oh，thunder!Imusthaveput\'eminbymistake，andateupthemeatswithoutthinking，"saidTom，tryingtoconcealhisnaughtysatisfaction，asthegirlshungoverthepanwithfacesfullofdisappointmentanddespair。

"Youdiditonpurpose，youhorridboy!I\'llneverletyouhaveanythingtodowithmyfunagain!"criedFan，inapassion，tryingtocatchandshakehim，whilehedodgedandchuckledinhighglee。

Maudbegantowailoverherlostdelight，andPollygravelypokedatthemess，whichwasquitespoilt。Butherattentionwasspeedilydivertedbythesquabblegoingoninthecorner；forFanny，forgetfulofheryoung-ladyismandhersixteenyears，hadboxedTom\'sears，andTom，resentingtheinsult，hadforciblyseatedherinthecoal-hod，whereheheldherwithonehandwhilehereturnedthecomplimentwiththeother。Bothwereveryangry，andkepttwittingoneanotherwitheveryaggravationtheycouldinvent，astheyscoldedandscuffled，presentingamostunlovelyspectacle。

Pollywasnotamodelgirlbyanymeans，andhadherlittlepetsandtempersliketherestofus；butshedidn\'tfight，scream，andsquabblewithherbrothersandsistersinthisdisgracefulway，andwasmuchsurprisedtoseeherelegantfriendinsuchapassion。"Oh，don\'t!Please，don\'t!

You\'llhurther，Tom!Lethimgo，Fanny!It\'snomatteraboutthecandy；

wecanmakesomemore!"criedPolly，tryingtopartthem，andlookingsodistressed，thattheystoppedashamed，andinaminutesorrythatsheshouldseesuchadisplayoftemper。

"Iain\'tgoingtobehustledround；soyou\'dbetterletmealone，Fan，"

saidTom，drawingoffwithathreateningwagofthehead，adding，inadifferenttone，"Ionlyputtheshellsinforfun，Polly。Youcookanotherkettleful，andI\'llpickyousomemeatsallfair。Willyou？"

"It\'sprettyhotwork，andit\'sapitytowastethings；butI\'lltryagain，ifyouwantmeto，"saidPolly，withapatientsigh，forherarmsweretiredandherfaceuncomfortablyhot。

"Wedon\'twantyou；getaway!"saidMaud，shakingastickyspoonathim。

"Keepquiet，cry-baby。I\'mgoingtostayandhelp；mayn\'tI，Polly？"

"Bearslikesweetthings，soyouwantsomecandy，Iguess。Whereisthemolasses？We\'veusedupalltherewasinthejug，"saidPolly，good-naturedly，beginningagain。

"Downcellar；I\'llgetit；"andtakingthelampandjug，Tomdeparted，bentondoinghisdutynowlikeasaint。

Themomenthislightvanished，Fannyboltedthedoor，saying，spitefully，"Now，wearesafefromanymoretricks。Lethimthumpandcall，itonlyserveshimright；andwhenthecandyisdone，we\'lllettherascalout。"

"Howcanwemakeitwithoutmolasses？"askedPolly，thinkingthatwouldsettlethematter。

"There\'splentyinthestore-room。No；youshan\'tlethimuptillI

\'mready。He\'sgottolearnthatI\'mnottobeshakenbyalittlechitlikehim。Makeyourcandy，andlethimalone，orI\'llgoandtellpapa，andthenTomwillgetalecture。"

Pollythoughtitwasn\'tfair；butMaudclamoredforhercandy，andfindingshecoulddonothingtoappeaseFan，Pollydevotedhermindtohercookerytillthenutsweresafelyin，andanicepanfulsetintheyardtocool。Afewbangsatthelockeddoor，afewthreatsofvengeancefromtheprisoner，suchassettingthehouseonfire，drinkingupthewine，andmashingthejelly-pots，andthenallwassoquietthatthegirlsforgothimintheexcitingcrisisoftheirwork。

"Hecan\'tpossiblygetoutanywhere，andassoonwe\'vecutupthecandy，we\'llunboltthedoorandrun。Comeandgetanicedishtoputitin，"

saidFan，whenPollyproposedtogohalveswithTom，lestheshouldcomeburstinginsomehow，andseizethewhole。

Whentheycamedownwiththedishinwhichtosetforththeirtreat，andopenedtheback-doortofindit，imaginetheirdismayondiscoveringthatitwasgone，­；pan，candy，andall，­；utterlyandmysteriouslygone!

Agenerallamentarose，whenacarefulrummageleftnohopes；forthefateshadevidentlydecreedatcandywasnottoprosperonthisunpropitiousnight。

"Thehotpanhasmeltedandsunkinthesnowperhaps，"saidFanny，diggingintothedriftwhereitwasleft。

"Thoseoldcatshavegotit，Iguess，"suggestedMaud，toomuchoverwhelmedbythissecondblowtohowlasusual。

"Thegateisn\'tlocked，andsomebeggarhasstolenit。Ihopeitwilldohimgood，"addedPolly，turningfromherexploringexpedition。

"IfTomcouldgetout，Ishouldthinkhe\'dcarrieditoff；butnotbeingarat，hecan\'tgothroughthebitsofwindows；soitwasn\'thim，"saidFanny，disconsolately，forshebegantothinkthisdoublelossapunishmentforlettingangrypassionsrise，"Let\'sopenthedoorandtellhimaboutit，"proposedPolly。

"He\'llcrowoverus。No；we\'llopenitandgotobed，andhecancomeoutwhenhelikes。Provokingboy!ifhehadn\'tplaguedusso，weshouldhavehadanicetime。"

Unboltingthecellardoor，thegirlsannouncedtotheinvisiblecaptivethattheywerethrough，andthendepartedmuchdepressed。Half-wayupthesecondflight，theyallstoppedassuddenlyasiftheyhadseenaghost；

forlookingoverthebanisterswasTom\'sface，crockybuttriumphant，andineitherhandajunkofcandy，whichhewavedabovethemashevanished，withthetantalizingremark，"Don\'tyouwishyouhadsome？"

"Howintheworlddidhegetout？"criedFanny，steadyingherselfafterastartthatnearlysentallthreetumblingdownstairs。

"Coal-hole!"answeredaspectralvoicefromthegloomabove。

"Goodgracious!Hemusthavepokedupthecover，climbedintothestreet，stolethecandy，andsneakedinattheshed-windowwhilewewerelookingforit。"

"Catsgotit，didn\'tthey？"jeeredthevoiceinatonethatmadePollysitdownandlaughtillshecouldn\'tlaughanylonger。

"JustgiveMaudabit，she\'ssodisappointed。FanandIaresickofit，andsowillyoube，ifyoueatitall，"calledPolly，whenshegotherbreath。

"Gotobed，Maudie，andlookunderyourpillowwhenyougetthere，"

wastheoracularreplythatcamedowntothem，asTom\'sdoorclosedafterajubilantsoloonthetinpan。

Thegirlswenttobedtiredout；andMaudslumberedplacidly，huggingthestickybundle，foundwheremolassescandyisnotoftendiscovered。

Pollywasverytired，andsoonfellasleep；butFanny，whosleptwithher，layawakelongerthanusual，thinkingabouthertroubles，forherheadached，andthedissatisfactionthatfollowsangerwouldnotletherrestwiththetranquillitythatmadetherosyfaceinthelittleroundnightcapsuchapleasantsighttoseeasitlaybesideher。Thegaswasturneddown，butFannysawafigureinagraywrappercreepbyherdoor，andpresentlyreturn，pausingtolookin。"Whoisit？"shecried，soloudthatPollywoke。

"Onlyme，dear，"answeredgrandma\'smildvoice。"PoorTomhasgotadreadfultoothache，andIcamedowntofindsomecreosoteforhim。Hetoldmenottotellyou；butIcan\'tfindthebottle，anddon\'twanttodisturbmamma。"

"It\'sinmycloset。OldTomwillpayforhistrickthistime，"saidFanny，inasatisfiedtone。

"Ithoughthe\'dgetenoughofourcandy，"laughedPolly；andthentheyfellasleep，leavingTomtothedelightsoftoothacheandthetendermerciesofkindoldgrandma。ChapterIII。ChapterIII。CHAPTERIIIPOLLY\'STROUBLESPOLLYsoonfoundthatshewasinanewworld，aworldwherethemannersandcustomsweresodifferentfromthesimplewaysathome，thatshefeltlikeastrangerinastrangeland，andoftenwishedthatshehadnotcome。

Inthefirstplace，shehadnothingtodobutloungeandgossip，readnovels，paradethestreets，anddress；andbeforeaweekwasgone，shewasasheartilysickofallthis，asahealthypersonwouldbewhoattemptedtoliveonconfectionery。Fannylikedit，becauseshewasusedtoit，andhadneverknownanythingbetter；butPollyhad，andoftenfeltlikealittlewood-birdshutupinagildedcage。Nevertheless，shewasmuchimpressedbytheluxuriesallabouther，enjoyedthem，wishedsheownedthem，andwonderedwhytheShawswerenotahappierfamily。Shewasnotwiseenoughtoknowwherethetroublelay；shedidnotattempttosaywhichofthetwoliveswastherightone；sheonlyknewwhichshelikedbest，andsupposeditwasmerelyanotherofher"old-fashioned"ways。

Fanny\'sfriendsdidnotinteresthermuch；shewasratherafraidofthem，theyseemedsomucholderandwiserthanherself，eventhoseyoungerinyears。TheytalkedaboutthingsofwhichsheknewnothingandwhenFannytriedtoexplain，shedidn\'tfindtheminteresting；indeed，someofthemrathershockedandpuzzledher；sothegirlsletheralone，beingcivilwhentheymet，butevidentlyfeelingthatshewastoo"odd"tobelongtotheirset。ThensheturnedtoMaudforcompanionship，forherownlittlesisterwasexcellentcompany，andPollylovedherdearly。ButMissMaudwasmuchabsorbedinherownaffairs，forshebelongedtoa"set"also；

andthesemitesoffiveandsixhadtheir"musicals，"theirparties，receptions，andpromenades，aswellastheirelders；and，thechiefideaoftheirlittlelivesseemedtobetoapethefashionablefolliestheyshouldhavebeentooinnocenttounderstand。Maudhadhertinycard-case，andpaidcalls，"likemammaandFan"；herboxofdaintygloves，herjewel-drawer，hercrimping-pins，asfineandfancifulawardrobeasaParisdoll，andaFrenchmaidtodressher。Pollycouldn\'tgetonwithheratfirst，forMauddidn\'tseemlikeachild，andoftencorrectedPollyinherconversationandmanners，thoughlittlemademoiselle\'sownwereanythingbutperfect。Nowandthen，whenMaudfeltpoorly，orhada"fwactious"turn，forshehad"nerves"aswellasmamma，shewouldgotoPollyto"beamoosed，"forhergentlewaysandkindforbearancesoothedthelittlefineladybetterthananythingelse。

Pollyenjoyedthesetimes，andtoldstories，playedgames，orwentoutwalking，justasMaudliked，slowlyandsurelywinningthechild\'sheart，andrelievingthewholehouseoftheyoungtyrantwhoruledit。

TomsoongotoverstaringatPolly，andatfirstdidnottakemuchnoticeofher，for，inhisopinion，"girlsdidn\'tamounttomuch，anyway"；and，considering，thestyleofgirlheknewmostabout，Pollyquiteagreedwithhim。Heoccasionallyrefreshedhimselfbyteasingher，toseehowshe\'dstandit，andcausedPollymuchanguishofspirit，forsheneverknewwherehewouldtakehernext。Hebouncedoutatherfrombehinddoors，booedatherindarkentries，clutchedherfeetasshewentupstairs，startledherbyshrillwhistlesrightinherear，orsuddentweaksofthehairashepassedherinthestreet；andassureastherewascompanytodinner，hefixedhisroundeyesonher，andnevertookthemofftillshewasreducedtoapiteousstateofconfusionanddistress。Sheusedtobeghimnottoplagueher；buthesaidhediditforhergood；shewastooshy，andneededtougheningliketheothergirls。Invainsheprotestedthatshedidn\'twanttobeliketheothergirlsinthatrespect；heonlylaughedinherface，stuckhisredhairstraightupalloverhishead，andglaredather，tillshefledindismay。

YetPollyratherlikedTom，forshesoonsawthathewasneglected，hustledoutoftheway，andlefttogetonprettymuchbyhimself。Sheoftenwonderedwhyhismotherdidn\'tpethimasshedidthegirls；whyhisfatherorderedhimaboutasifhewasabornrebel，andtooksolittleinterestinhisonlyson。Fannyconsideredhimabear，andwasashamedofhim；butnevertriedtopolishhimupabit；andMaudandhelivedtogetherlikeacatanddogwhodidnotbelongtoa"happyfamily。"GrandmawastheonlyonewhostoodbypooroldTom；andPollymorethanoncediscoveredhimdoingsomethingkindforMadam，andseemingverymuchashamedwhenitwasfoundout。Hewasn\'trespectfulatall；hecalledher"theoldlady，"andtoldherhe"wouldn\'tbefussedover"；butwhenanythingwasthematter，healwayswentto"theoldlady，"andwasverygratefulforthe"fussing。"Pollylikedhimforthis，andoftenwantedtospeakofit；

butshehadafeelingthatitwouldn\'tdo，forinpraisingtheiraffection，shewasreproachingotherswithneglect；sosheheldhertongue，andthoughtaboutitallthemore。

Grandmawasratherneglected，too，andperhapsthatisthereasonwhyTomandsheweresuchgoodfriends。Shewasevenmoreold-fashionedthanPolly；butpeopledidn\'tseemtominditsomuchinher，asherdaywassupposedtobeover，andnothingwasexpectedofherbuttokeepoutofeverybody\'sway，andtobehandsomelydressedwhensheappeared"beforepeople。"Grandmaledaquiet，solitarylifeinherownrooms，fullofoldfurniture，pictures，books，andrelicsofapastforwhichnoonecaredbutherself。Hersonwentupeveryeveningforalittlecall，wasverykindtoher，andsawthatshewantednothingmoneycouldbuy；buthewasabusyman，sointentongettingrichthathehadnotimetoenjoywhathealreadypossessed。Madamnevercomplained，interfered，orsuggested；

buttherewasasadsortofquietudeabouther，awistfullookinherfadedeyes，asifshewantedsomethingwhichmoneycouldnotbuy，andwhenchildrenwerenear，shehoveredaboutthem，evidentlylongingtocuddleandcaressthemasonlygrandmotherscan。Pollyfeltthis；andasshemissedthehome-petting，gladlyshowedthatshelikedtoseethequietoldfacebrighten，assheenteredthesolitaryroom，wherefewchildrencame，exceptthephantomsoflittlesonsanddaughters，who，tothemotherlyheartthatlovedthem，neverfadedorgrewup。Pollywishedthechildrenwouldbekindertograndma；

butitwasnotforhertotellthemso，althoughittroubledheragooddeal，andshecouldonlytrytomakeupforitbybeingasdutifulandaffectionateasiftheirgrandmawasherown。

AnotherthingthatdisturbedPollywasthewantofexercise。Todressupandparadecertainstreetsforanhoureveryday，tostandtalkingindoorways，ordriveoutinafinecarriage，wasnotthesortofexercisesheliked，andFanwouldtakenoother。Indeed，shewassoshocked，whenPolly，oneday，proposedarundownthemall，thatherfriendneverdaredsuggestsuchathingagain。Athome，Pollyranandrode，coastedandskated，jumpedropeandrakedhay，workedinhergardenandrowedherboat；sonowondershelongedforsomethingmorelivelythanadailypromenadewithaflockofgiddygirls，whotiltedalonginhigh-heeledboots，andcostumeswhichmadePollyashamedtobeseenwithsomeofthem。Sosheusedtoslipoutalonesometimes，whenFannywasabsorbedinnovels，company，ormillinery，andgetfinebriskwalksroundthepark，ontheunfashionableside，wherethebabiestooktheirairings；orshewentinside，towatchtheboyscoasting，andtowishshecouldcoasttoo，asshedidathome。Sheneverwentfar，andalwayscamebackrosyandgay。

Oneafternoon，justbeforedinner，shefeltsotiredofdoingnothing，thatsheslippedoutforarun。Ithadbeenadullday；butthesunwasvisiblenow，settingbrightlybelowtheclouds。ItwascoldbutstillandPollytrotteddownthesmooth，snow-coveredmallhummingtoherself，andtryingnottofeelhomesick。Thecoasterswereatitwithalltheirmight，andshewatchedthem，tillherlongingtojointhefungrewirresistible。

Onthehill，somelittlegirlswereplayingwiththeirsleds，­；reallittlegirls，inwarmhoodsandcoats，rubberbootsandmittens，­；andPollyfeltdrawntowardtheminspiteofherfearofFan。

"Iwanttogodown，butIdarsn\'t，it\'ssosteep，"saidoneofthese"commonchildren，"asMaudcalledthem。

"Ifyou\'lllendmeyoursled，andsitinmylap，I\'lltakeyoudownallnice，"answeredPolly，inaconfidentialtone。

Thelittlegirlstookalookather，seemedsatisfied，andacceptedheroffer。Pollylookedcarefullyroundtoseethatnofashionableeyebeheldtheawfuldeed，andfindingallsafe，settledherfreight，andspunawaydownhill，feelingalloverthedelightsomeexcitementofswiftmotionwhichmakescoastingsuchafavoritepastimewiththemoresensibleportionofthechild-world。Oneafteranother，shetookthelittlegirlsdownthehillanddraggedthemupagain，whiletheyregardedherinthelightofagray-coatedangel，descendedfortheirexpressbenefit。Pollywasjustfinishingoffwithonedelicious"go"allbyherself，whensheheardafamiliarwhistlebehindher，andbeforeshecouldgetoff，upcameTom，lookingasmuchastonishedasifhehadfoundhermounted，onanelephant。

"Hullo，Polly!What\'llFansaytoyou？"washispolishedsalutation。

"Don\'tknow，anddon\'tcare。Coastingisnoharm；Ilikeit，andI\'mgoingtodoit，nowI\'vegotachance；soclearthelul-la!"AndawaywentindependentPolly，withherhairblowinginthewind，andanexpressionofgenuineenjoyment，whichaveryrednosedidn\'tdamageintheleast。

"Goodforyou，Polly!"Andcastinghimselfuponhissled，withthemostrecklessdisregardforhisribs，offwhizzedTomafterher，andcamealongsidejustasshereinedup"GeneralGrant"onthebroadpathbelow。"Oh，won\'tyougetitwhenwegohome？"criedtheyounggentleman，evenbeforehechangedhisgracefulattitude。

"Ishan\'t，ifyoudon\'tgoandtell；butofcourseyouwill，"addedPolly，sittingstill，whileananxiousexpressionbegantostealoverherhappyface。

"Ijustwon\'t，then，"returnedTom，withthenaturalperversityofhistribe。

"Iftheyaskme，Ishalltell，ofcourse；iftheydon\'task，Ithinkthere\'snoharminkeepingstill。Ishouldn\'thavedoneit，ifIhadn\'tknownmymotherwaswilling；butIdon\'twishtotroubleyourmotherbytellingofit。Doyouthinkitwasverydreadfulofme？"askedPolly，lookingathim。

"Ithinkitwasdownrightjolly；andIwon\'ttell，ifyoudon\'twantmeto。Now，comeupandhaveanother，"saidTom，heartily。

"Justonemore；thelittlegirlswanttogo，thisistheirsled。"

"Let\'emtakeit，itisn\'tgoodformuch；andyoucomeonmine。Mazeppa\'sastunner；youseeifheisn\'t。"

SoPollytuckedherselfupinfront，Tomhungonbehindinsomemysteriousmanner，andMazeppaprovedthathefullymeritedhismaster\'ssincereifinelegantpraise。Theygotoncapitallynow，forTomwasinhispropersphere，andshowedhisbestside，beingcivilandgayinthebluffboy-fashionthatwasnaturaltohim；whilePollyforgottobeshy，andlikedthissortof"toughening"muchbetterthantheother。Theylaughedandtalked，andkepttaking"justonemore，"tillthesunshinewasallgone，andtheclocksstruckdinner-time。

"Weshallbelate；let\'srun，"saidPolly，astheycameintothepathafterthelastcoast。

"Youjustsitstill，andI\'llgetyouhomeinajiffy；"andbeforeshecouldunpackherself，Tomtrottedoffwithheratafinepace。

"Here\'sapairofcheeks!Iwishyou\'dgetacolorlikethis，Fanny，"

saidMr。Shaw，asPollycameintothedining-roomaftersmoothingherhair。

"Yournoseisasredasthatcranberrysauce，"answeredFan，comingoutofthebigchairwhereshehadbeencurledupforanhourortwo，deepin"LadyAudley\'sSecret。"

"Soitis，"saidPolly，shuttingoneeyetolookattheoffendingfeature。

"Nevermind；I\'vehadagoodtime，anyway，"sheadded，givingalittlepranceinherchair。

"Idon\'tseemuchfuninthesecoldrunsyouaresofondoftaking，"

saidFanny，withayawnandashiver。

"Perhapsyouwouldifyoutriedit；"andPollylaughedassheglancedatTom。

"Didyougoalone，dear？"askedgrandma，pattingtherosycheekbesideher。

"Yes\'m；butImetTom，andwecamehometogether。"Polly\'seyestwinkledwhenshesaidthat，andTomchokedinhissoup。

"Thomas，leavethetable!"commandedMr。Shaw，ashisincorrigiblesongurgledandgaspedbehindhisnapkin。

"Pleasedon\'tsendhimaway，sir。Imadehimlaugh，"saidPolly，penitently。

"What\'sthejoke？"askedFanny，wakingupatlast。

"Ishouldn\'tthinkyou\'dmakehimlaugh，whenhe\'salwaysmakingyoucwy，"observedMaud，whohadjustcomein。

"Whathaveyoubeendoingnow，sir？"demandedMr。Shaw，asTomemerged，redandsolemn，fromhisbriefobscurity。

"Nothingbutcoast，"hesaid，gruffly，forpapawasalwayslecturinghim，andlettingthegirlsdojustastheyliked。

"So\'sPolly；Isawher。MeandBlanchewerecominghomejustnow，andwesawherandTomwidingdownthehillonhissled，andthenhedwaggedhereversofar!"criedMaud，withhermouthfull。

"Youdidn\'t？"andFannydroppedherforkwithascandalizedface。

"Yes，Idid，andlikediteversomuch，"answeredPolly，lookinganxiousbutresolute。

"Didanyoneseeyou？"criedFanny。

"Onlysomelittlegirls，andTom。"

"Itwashorridlyimproper；andTomoughttohavetoldyouso，ifyoudidn\'tknowanybetter。Ishouldbemortifiedtodeathifanyofmyfriendssawyou，"addedFan，muchdisturbed。

"Now，don\'tyouscold。It\'snoharm，andPollyshallcoastifshewantsto；mayn\'tshe，grandma？"criedTom，gallantlycomingtotherescue，andsecuringapowerfulally。

"Mymotherletsme；andifIdon\'tgoamongtheboys，Ican\'tseewhatharmthereisinit，"saidPolly，beforeMadamcouldspeak。

"Peopledomanythingsinthecountrythatarenotproperhere，"beganMrs。Shaw，inherreprovingtone。

"Letthechilddoitifshelikes，andtakeMaudwithher。Ishouldbegladtohaveoneheartygirlinmyhouse，"interruptedMr。Shaw，andthatwastheendofit。

"Thankyou，sir，"saidPolly，gratefully，andnoddedatTom，whotelegraphedback"Allright!"andfelluponhisdinnerwiththeappetiteofayoungwolf。

"Oh，yously-boots!you\'regettingupaflirtationwithTom，areyou？"

whisperedFannytoherfriend，asifmuchamused。

"What!"andPollylookedsosurprisedandindignant，thatFannywasashamedofherself，andchangedthesubjectbytellinghermothersheneededsomenewgloves。

Pollywasveryquietafterthat，andtheminutedinnerwasover，shelefttheroomtogoandhaveaquiet"think"aboutthewholematter。Beforeshegothalf-wayupstairs，shesawTomcomingafter，andimmediatelysatdowntoguardherfeet。Helaughed，andsaid，asheperchedhimselfonthepostofthebanisters，"Iwon\'tgrabyou，honorbright。Ijustwantedtosay，ifyou\'llcomeoutto-morrowsometime，we\'llhaveagoodcoast。"

"No，"saidPolly，"Ican\'tcome。"

"Whynot？Areyoumad？Ididn\'ttell。"AndTomlookedamazedatthechangewhichhadcomeoverher。

"No；youkeptyourword，andstoodbymelikeagoodboy。I\'mnotmad，either；butIdon\'tmeantocoastanymore。Yourmotherdon\'tlikeit。"

"Thatisn\'tthereason，Iknow。Younoddedtomeaftershe\'dfreedhermind，andyoumeanttogothen。Come，now，whatisit？"

"Ishan\'ttellyou；butI\'mnotgoing，"wasPolly\'sdeterminedanswer。

"Well，Ididthinkyouhadmoresensethanmostgirls；butyouhaven\'t，andIwouldn\'tgiveasixpenceforyou。"

"That\'spolite，"saidPolly，gettingruffled。

"Well，Ihatecowards。"