第3章

"Iain\'tacoward。"

"Yes，youare。You\'reafraidofwhatfolkswillsay；ain\'tyou，now？"

Pollyknewshewas，andheldherpeace，thoughshelongedtospeak；

buthowcouldshe？

"Ah，Iknewyou\'dbackout。"AndTomwalkedawaywithanairofscornthatcutPollytotheheart。

"It\'stoobad!Justashewasgrowingkindtome，andIwasgoingtohaveagoodtime，it\'sallspoiltbyFan\'snonsense。Mrs。Shawdon\'tlikeit，norgrandmaeither，Idaresay。There\'llbeafussifIgo，andFanwillplagueme；soI\'llgiveitup，andletTomthinkI\'mafraid。Oh，dear!Ineverdidseesuchridiculouspeople。"

Pollyshutherdoorhard，andfeltreadytocrywithvexation，thatherpleasureshouldbespoiltbysuchasillyidea；for，ofallthesillyfreaksofthisfastage，thatoflittlepeopleplayingatloveisaboutthesilliest。Pollyhadbeentaughtthatitwasaveryseriousandsacredthing；and，accordingtohernotions，itwasfarmoreimpropertoflirtwithoneboythantocoastwithadozen。Shehadbeenmuchamazed，onlythedaybefore，tohearMaudsaytohermother，"Mamma，mustIhaveabeau？

Thegirlsalldo，andsayIoughttohaveFweddyLovell；butIdon\'tlikehimaswellasHawryFiske。"

"Oh，yes；I\'dhavealittlesweetheart，dear，it\'ssocunning，"answeredMrs。Shaw。AndMaudannouncedsoonafterthatshewasengagedto"Fweddy，\'causeHawryslappedher"whensheproposedthematch。

Pollylaughedwiththerestatthetime；butwhenshethoughtofitafterward，andwonderedwhatherownmotherwouldhavesaid，iflittleKittyhadputsuchaquestion，shedidn\'tfinditcunningorfunny，butridiculousandunnatural。Shefeltsonowaboutherself；andwhenherfirstpetulancewasover，resolvedtogiveupcoastingandeverythingelse，ratherthanhaveanynonsensewithTom，who，thankstohisneglectededucation，wasasignorantasherselfofthecharmsofthisnewamusementforschool-children。

SoPollytriedtoconsoleherselfbyjumpingropeintheback-yard，andplayingtagwithMaudinthedrying-room，whereshelikewisegavelessonsin"nas-gim-nics，"asMaudcalledit，whichdidthatlittlepersongood。

Fannycameupsometimestoteachthemanewdancingstep，andmorethanoncewasbetrayedintoagameofromps，forwhichshewasnonetheworse。

ButTomturnedacoldshouldertoPolly，andmadeitevident，byhiscavaliermannerthathereallydidn\'tthinkher"worthasixpence。"

AnotherthingthattroubledPollywasherclothes，for，thoughnoonesaidanything，sheknewtheywereveryplain；andnowandthenshewishedthatherblueandmousecoloredmerinoswererathermoretrimmed，hersasheshadbiggerbows，andherlittlerufflesmorelaceonthem。Shesighedforalocket，and，forthefirsttimeinherlife，thoughtseriouslyofturningupherprettycurlsandputtingona"wad。"Shekeptthesediscontentstoherself，however，aftershehadwrittentoaskhermotherifshemighthaveherbestdressalteredlikeFanny\'s，andreceivedthisreply:

"No，dear；thedressisproperandbecomingasitis，andtheoldfashionofsimplicitythebestforallofus。Idon\'twantmyPollytobelovedforherclothes，butforherself；soweartheplainfrocksmothertooksuchpleasureinmakingforyou，andletthepanniersgo。Theleastofushavesomeinfluenceinthisbigworld；andperhapsmylittlegirlcandosomegoodbyshowingothersthatacontentedheartandahappyfacearebetterornamentsthananyPariscangiveher。Youwantalocket，deary；

soIsendonethatmymothergavemeyearsago。Youwillfindfather\'sfaceononeside，mineontheother；andwhenthingstroubleyou，justlookatyourtalisman，andIthinkthesunshinewillcomebackagain。"

Ofcourseitdid，forthebestofallmagicwasshutupinthequaintlittlecasethatPollyworeinsideherfrock，andkissedsotenderlyeachnightandmorning。Thethoughtthat，insignificantasshewas，sheyetmightdosomegood，madeherverycarefulofheractsandwords，andsoanxioustokeepheadcontentedandfacehappy，thatsheforgotherclothes，andmadeothersdothesame。Shedidnotknowit，butthatgoodoldfashionofsimplicitymadetheplaingownspretty，andthegraceofunconsciousnessbeautifiedtheirlittlewearerwiththecharmthatmakesgirlhoodsweetesttothosewhotrulyloveandreverenceit。OnetemptationPollyhadalreadyyieldedtobeforethelettercame，andrepentedheartilyofafterward。

"Polly，Iwishyou\'dletmecallyouMarie，"saidFannyoneday，astheywereshoppingtogether。

"YoumaycallmeMary，ifyoulike；butIwon\'thaveanyieputontomyname。I\'mPollyathomeandI\'mfondofbeingcalledso；butMarieisFrenchifiedandsilly。"

"Ispellmyownnamewithanie，andsodoallthegirls。"

"AndwhatajumbleofNetties，Nellies，Hatties，andSalliesthereis。

How\'Pollie\'wouldlookspeltso!"

"Well，nevermind；thatwasn\'twhatIbegantosay。There\'sonethingyoumusthave，andthatis，bronzeboots，"saidFan，impressively。

"WhymustI，whenI\'vegotenoughwithout？"

"Becauseit\'sthefashiontohavethem，andyoucan\'tbefinishedoffproperlywithout。I\'mgoingtogetapair，andsomustyou。"

"Don\'ttheycostagreatdeal？"

"Eightorninedollars，Ibelieve。Ihaveminecharged；butitdon\'tmatterifyouhaven\'tgotthemoney。Icanlendyousome。"

"I\'vegottendollarstodowhatIlikewith；butit\'smeanttogetsomepresentsforthechildren。"AndPollytookoutherpurseinanundecidedway。

"Youcanmakepresentseasyenough。Grandmaknowsallsortsofnicecontrivances。They\'lldojustaswell；andthenyoucangetyourboots。"

"Well；I\'lllookatthem，"saidPolly，followingFannyintothestore，feelingratherrichandimportanttobeshoppinginthiselegantmanner。

"Aren\'ttheylovely？Yourfootisperfectlydivineinthatboot，Polly。

Getthemformyparty；you\'lldancelikeafairy，"whisperedFan。

Pollysurveyedthedainty，shiningbootwiththescallopedtop，thejauntyheel，andthedelicatetoe，thoughtherfootdidlookverywellinit，andafteralittlepause，saidshewouldhavethem。Itwasallverydelightfultillshegothome，andwasalone；then，onlookingintoherpurse，shesawonedollarandthelistofthingsshemeanttogetformotherandthechildren。Howmeanthedollarlookedallalone!andhowlongthelistgrewwhentherewasnothingtobuythearticles。

"Ican\'tmakeskatesforNed，noradeskforWill；andthosearewhattheyhavesettheirheartsupon。Father\'sbookandmother\'scollarareimpossiblenow；andI\'maselfishthingtogoandspendallmymoneyformyself。HowcouldIdoit？"AndPollyeyedthenewbootsreproachfully，astheystoodinthefirstpositionasifreadyfortheparty。"Theyarelovely；butIdon\'tbelievetheywillfeelgood，forIshallbethinkingaboutmylostpresentsallthetime，"sighedPolly，pushingtheenticingbootsoutofsight。"I\'llgoandaskgrandmawhatIcando；forifI\'vegottomakesomethingforeveryone，Imustbeginrightaway，orIshan\'tgetdone；"andoffshebustled，gladtoforgetherremorseinhardwork。

Grandmaprovedequaltotheemergency，andplannedsomethingforeveryone，supplyingmaterials，taste，andskillinthemostdelightfulmanner。

Pollyfeltmuchcomforted；butwhileshebegantoknitaprettypairofwhitebed-socks，tobetiedwithrose-coloredribbons，forhermother，shethoughtsomeverysoberthoughtsuponthesubjectoftemptation；andifanyonehadaskedherjustthenwhatmadehersigh，asifsomethinglayheavyonherconscience，shewouldhaveanswered，"Bronzeboots。"ChapterIV。ChapterIV。CHAPTERIVLITTLETHINGS"IT\'Ssowainy，Ican\'tgoout，andevwybodyissocwosstheywon\'tplaywithme，"saidMaud，whenPollyfoundherfrettingonthestairs，andpausedtoaskthecauseofherwails。

"I\'llplaywithyou；onlydon\'tscreamandwakeyourmother。Whatshallweplay？"

"Idon\'tknow；I\'mtiredofevwything，\'causemytoysareallbwoken，andmydollsareallsickbutClawa，"moanedMaud，givingajerktotheParisdollwhichsheheldupsidedownbyoneleginthemostunmaternalmanner。

"I\'mgoingtodressadollyformylittlesister；wouldn\'tyouliketoseemedoit？"askedPolly，persuasively，hopingtobeguilethecrosschildandfinishherownworkatthesametime。

"No，Ishouldn\'t，\'causeshe\'lllooknicerthanmyClawa。Herclotheswon\'tcomeoff；andTomspoilt\'emplayingballwithherintheyard。"

"Wouldn\'tyouliketoriptheseclothesoff，andhavemeshowyouhowtomakesomenewones，soyoucandressandundressClaraasmuchasyoulike？"

"Yes；Ilovetocut。"AndMaud\'s，facebrightened；fordestructivenessisoneoftheearliesttraitsofchildhood，andrippingwasMaud\'sdelight。

Establishingthemselvesinthedeserteddining-room，thechildrenfelltowork；andwhenFannydiscoveredthem，MaudwaslaughingwithallherheartatpoorClara，who，denudedofherfinery，wascuttingupallsortsofcapersinthehandsofhermerrylittlemistress。

"Ishouldthinkyou\'dbeashamedtoplaywithdolls，Polly。Ihaven\'ttouchedonethiseversolong，"saidFanny，lookingdownwithasuperiorair。

"Iain\'tashamed，foritkeepsMaudhappy，andwillpleasemysisterKitty；andIthinksewingisbetterthanprinkingorreadingsillynovels，so，now。"AndPollystitchedawaywitharesoluteair，forsheandFannyhadhadalittletiff；becausePollywouldn\'tletherfrienddoupherhair"likeotherfolks，"andboreherears。

"Don\'tbecross，dear，butcomeanddosomethingnice，it\'ssodullto-day，"saidFanny，anxioustobefriendsagain，foritwasdoublydullwithoutPolly。

"Can\'t；I\'mbusy。"

"Youalwaysarebusy。Ineversawsuchagirl。Whatintheworlddoyoufindtodoallthetime？"askedFanny，watchingwithinterestthesetofthelittleredmerinofrockPollywasputtingontoherdoll。

"Lotsofthings；butIliketobelazysometimesasmuchasyoudo；

justlieonthesofa，andreadfairystories，orthinkaboutnothing。Wouldyouhaveawhite-muslinapronorablacksilk？"addedPolly，surveyingherworkwithsatisfaction。

"Muslin，withpocketsandtinybluebows。I\'llshowyouhow。"Andforgettingherhateandcontemptfordolls，downsatFanny，soongettingasmuchabsorbedaseitheroftheothers。

Thedulldaybrightenedwonderfullyafterthat，andthetimeflewpleasantly，astonguesandneedleswenttogether。Grandmapeepedin，andsmiledatthebusygroup，saying，"Sewaway，mydears；dolliesaresafecompanions，andneedleworkanaccomplishmentthat\'ssadlyneglectednowadays。Smallstitches，Maud；neatbuttonholes，Fan；cutcarefully，Polly，anddon\'twasteyourcloth。Takepains；andthebestneedlewomanshallhaveaprettybitofwhitesatinforadoll\'sbonnet。"

Fannyexertedherself，andwontheprize，forPollyhelpedMaud，andneglectedherownwork；butshedidn\'tcaremuch，forMr。Shawsaid，lookingatthethreebrightfacesatthetea-table，"IguessPollyhasbeenmakingsunshineforyouto-day。"

"No，indeed，sir，Ihaven\'tdoneanything，onlydressMaud\'sdoll。"

AndPollydidn\'tthinkshehaddonemuch；butitwasoneofthelittlethingswhicharealwayswaitingtobedoneinthisworldofours，whererainydayscomesooften，wherespiritsgetoutoftune，anddutywon\'tgohandinhandwithpleasure。Littlethingsofthissortareespeciallygoodworkforlittlepeople；akindlittlethought，anunselfishlittleact，acheerylittleword，aresosweetandcomfortable，thatnoonecanfailtofeeltheirbeautyandlovethegiver，nomatterhowsmalltheyare。Mothersdoadealofthissortofthing，unseen，unthanked，butfeltandrememberedlongafterward，andneverlost，forthisisthesimplemagicthatbindsheartstogether，andkeepshomehappy。Pollyhadlearnedthissecret。

Shelovedtodothe"littlethings"thatothersdidnotsee，orweretoobusytostopfor；andwhiledoingthem，withoutathoughtofthanks，shemadesunshineforherselfaswellasothers。Therewassomuchloveinherownhome，thatshequicklyfeltthewantofitinFanny\'s，andpuzzledherselftofindoutwhythesepeoplewerenotkindandpatienttooneanother。

Shedidnottrytosettlethequestion，butdidherbesttoloveandserveandbearwitheach，andthegoodwill，thegentleheart，thehelpfulwaysandsimplemannersofourPollymadeherdeartoeveryone，forthesevirtues，eveninalittlechild，arelovelyandattractive。

Mr。Shawwasverykindtoher，forhelikedhermodest，respectfulmanners；

andPollywassogratefulforhismanyfavors，thatshesoonforgotherfear，andshowedheraffectioninallsortsofconfidinglittleways，whichpleasedhimextremely。Sheusedtowalkacrosstheparkwithhimwhenhewenttohisofficeinthemorning，talkingbusilyalltheway，andsaying"Good-by"withanodandasmilewhentheypartedatthegreatgate。Atfirst，Mr。Shawdidnotcaremuchaboutit；butsoonhemissedherifshedidnotcome，andfoundthatsomethingfreshandpleasantseemedtobrightenallhisday，ifasmall，gray-coatedfigure，withanintelligentface，amerryvoice，andalittlehandslippedconfidinglyintohis，wentwithhimthroughthewintrypark。Cominghomelate，helikedtoseeacurly，brownheadwatchingatthewindow；tofindhisslippersready，hispaperinitsplace，andapairofwillingfeet，eagertowaituponhim。"IwishmyFannywasmorelikeher，"heoftensaidtohimself，ashewatchedthegirls，whiletheythoughthimdeepinpoliticsorthestateofthemoneymarket。PoorMr。Shawhadbeensobusygettingrich，thathehadnotfoundtimetoteachhischildrentolovehim；hewasmoreatleisurenow，andashisboyandgirlsgrewup，hemissedsomething。Pollywasunconsciouslyshowinghimwhatitwas，andmakingchild-lovesosweet，thathefelthecouldnotdowithoutitanymore，yetdidn\'tquiteknowhowtowintheconfidenceofthechildren，whohadalwaysfoundhimbusy，indifferent，andabsentminded。

Asthegirlsweregoingtobedonenight，Pollykissedgrandma，asusual，andFannylaughedather，saying，"Whatababyyouare!Wearetoooldforsuchthingsnow。"

"Idon\'tthinkpeopleeveraretoooldtokisstheirfathersandmothers，"wasthequickanswer。

"Right，mylittlePolly；"andMr。Shawstretchedouthishandtoherwithsuchakindlylook，thatFannystaredsurprised，andthensaid，shyly，"Ithoughtyoudidn\'tcareaboutit，father。"

"Ido，mydear:"AndMr。ShawputouttheotherhandtoFanny，whogavehimadaughterlykiss，quiteforgettingeverythingbutthetenderfeelingthatsprungupinherheartattherenewalofthechildishcustomwhichweneverneedoutgrow。

Mrs。Shawwasanervous，fussyinvalid，whowantedsomethingeveryfiveminutes；soPollyfoundplentyofsmallthingstodoforheranddid，themsocheerfully，thatthepoorladylovedtohavethequiet，helpfulchildnear，towaituponher，readtoher，runerrands，orhandthesevendifferentshawlswhichwerecontinuallybeingputonoroff。

Grandma，too，wasgladtofindwillinghandsandfeettoserveher；

andPollypassedmanyhappyhoursinthequaintrooms，learningallsortsofprettyarts，andlisteningtopleasantchat，neverdreaminghowmuchsunshineshebroughttothesolitaryoldlady。

TomwasPolly\'srockaheadforalongtime，becausehewasalwaysbreakingoutinanewplace，andoneneverknewwheretofindhim。Hetormentedyetamusedher；waskindoneday，andabearthenext；attimesshefanciedhewasnevergoingtobebadagain，andthenextthingsheknewhewasdeepinmischief，andhootedattheideaofrepentanceandreformation。

Pollygavehimupasahardcase；butwassointhehabitofhelpinganyonewhoseemedintrouble，thatshewasgoodtohimsimplybecauseshecouldn\'thelpit。

"What\'sthematter？Isyourlessontoohardforyou？"sheaskedoneevening，asagroanmadeherlookacrossthetabletowhereTomsatscowlingoverapileofdilapidatedbooks，withhishandsinhishair，asifhisheadwasindangerofflyingasunderwiththetremendousefforthewasmaking。

"Hard!Guessitis。WhatinthunderdoIcareabouttheoldCarthaginians？

Reguluswasn\'tbad；butI\'msickofhim!"AndTomdealt"Harkness\'sLatinReader"athump，whichexpressedhisfeelingsbetterthanwords。

"IlikeLatin，andusedtogetonwellwhenIstudieditwithJimmy。

PerhapsIcanhelpyoualittlebit，"saidPolly，asTomwipedhishotfaceandrefreshedhimselfwithapeanut。

"You？pooh!girls\'Latindon\'tamounttomuchanyway，"wasthegratefulreply。

ButPollywasusedtohimnow，and，nothingdaunted，tookalookatthegrimypageinthemiddleofwhichTomhadstuck。Shereaditsowell，thattheyounggentlemanstoppedmunchingtoregardherwithrespectfulastonishment，andwhenshestopped，hesaid，suspiciously，"Youareaslyone，Polly，tostudyupsoyoucanshowoffbeforeme。Butitwon\'tdo，ma\'am；turnoveradozenpages，andtryagain。"

Pollyobeyed，anddidevenbetterthanbefore，saying，asshelookedup，withalaugh，"I\'vebeenthroughthewholebook；soyouwon\'tcatchmethatway，Tom。"

"Isay，howcameyoutoknowsuchalot？"askedTom，muchimpressed。

"IstudiedwithJimmy，andkeptupwithhim，forfatherletusbetogetherinallourlessons。Itwassonice，andwelearnedsofast!"

"TellmeaboutJimmy。He\'syourbrother，isn\'the？"

"Yes；buthe\'sdead，youknow。I\'lltellabouthimsomeothertime；

yououghttostudynow，andperhapsIcanhelpyou，"saidPolly，withalittlequiverofthelips。

"Shouldn\'twonderifyoucould。"AndTomspreadthebookbetweenthemwithagraveandbusiness-likeair，forhefeltthatPollyhadgotthebetterofhim，anditbehoovedhimtodohisbestforthehonorofhissex。Hewentatthelessonwithawill，andsoonflounderedoutofhisdifficulties，forPollygavehimalifthereandthere，andtheywentonswimmingly，tilltheycametosomerulestobelearned。Pollyhadforgottenthem，sothey，bothcommittedthemtomemory；­；Tom，withhandsinhispockets，rockedtoandfro，mutteringrapidly，whilePollytwistedthelittlecurlonherforeheadandstaredatthewall，gabblingwithallhermight。

"Done!"criedTom，presently。

"Done!"echoedPolly；andthentheyheardeachotherrecitetillbothwereperfect"That\'sprettygoodfun，"saidTom，joyfully，tossingpoorHarknessaway，andfeelingthatthepleasantexcitementofcompanionshipcouldlendacharmeventoLatinGrammar。

"Now，ma\'am，we\'lltakeaturnatalgibbera。IlikethatasmuchasIhateLatin。"

Pollyacceptedtheinvitation，andsoonownedthatTomcouldbeatherhere。Thisfactrestoredhisequnimity；buthedidn\'tcrowoverher，farfromit；forhehelpedherwithapaternalpatiencethatmadehereyestwinklewithsuppressedfun，ashesoberlyexplainedandillustrated，unconsciouslyimitatingDominieDeane，tillPollyfounditdifficulttokeepfromlaughinginhisface。

"Youmayhaveanothergoatitany，timeyoulike，"generouslyremarkedTom，asheshiedthealgebraaftertheLatinReader。

"I\'llcomeeveryevening，then。I\'dliketo，forIhaven\'tstudiedabitsinceIcame。Youshalltryandmakemelikealgebra，andI\'lltryandmakeyoulikeLatin，willyou？"

"Oh，I\'dlikeitwellenough，iftherewasanyoneexplainittome。

OldDeaneputsusthroughdouble-quick，anddon\'tgiveafellowtimetoaskquestionswhenweread。"

"Askyourfather；heknows。"

"Don\'tbelievehedoes；shouldn\'tdaretobotherhim，ifhedid。"

"Whynot？"

"He\'dpullmyears，andcallmea\'stupid，\'ortellmenottoworryhim。"

"Idon\'tthinkhewould。He\'sverykindtome，andIasklotsofquestions。"

"Helikesyoubetterthanhedoesme。"

"Now，Tom!­；it\'swrongofyoutosayso。Ofcoursehelovesyoueversomuchmorethanhedoesme，"criedPolly，reprovingly。

"Whydon\'theshowitthen？"mutteredTom，withahalf-wistful，half-defiantglancetowardthelibrarydoor，whichstoodajar。

"Youactso，howcanhe？"askedPolly，afterapause，inwhichsheputTom\'squestiontoherself，andcouldfindnobetterreplythantheoneshegavehim。

"Whydon\'thegivememyvelocipede？Hesaid，ifIdidwellatschoolforamonth，Ishouldhaveit；andI\'vebeenpeggingawaylikefuryformostsixweeks，andhedon\'tdoathingaboutit。Thegirlsgettheirduds，becausetheytease。Iwon\'tdothatanyway；butyoudon\'tcatchmestudyingmyselftodeath，andnopayforit。"

"Itistoobad；butyououghttodoitbecauseit\'sright，andnevermindbeingpaid，"beganPolly，tryingtobemoral，butsecretlysympathizingheartilywithpoorTom。

"Don\'tyoupreach，Polly。Ifthegovernortookanynoticeofme，andcaredhowIgoton，Iwouldn\'tmindthepresentssomuch；buthedon\'tcareahang，andneverevenaskedifIdidwelllastdeclamationday，whenI\'dgoneandlearned\'TheBattleofLakeRegillus，\'becausehesaidhelikedit。"

"Oh，Tom!Didyousaythat？It\'ssplendid!JimandIusedtosayHoratiustogether，anditwassuchfun。Dospeakyourpiecetome，Idosolike\'Macaulay\'sLays。\'"

"It\'sdreadfullong，"beganTom；buthisfacebrightened，forPolly\'sinterestsoothedhisinjuredfeelings，andhewasgladtoprovehiselocutionarypowers。Hebeganwithoutmuchspirit；butsoonthemartialringofthelinesfiredhim，andbeforeheknewit，hewasonhislegsthunderingawayingrandstyle，whilePollylistenedwithkindlingfaceandabsorbedattention。

Tomdiddeclaimwell，forhequiteforgothimself，anddeliveredthestirringballadwithanenergythatmadePollyflushandtinglewithadmirationanddelight，andquiteelectrifiedasecondlistener，whohadheardallthatwenton，andwatchedthelittlescenefrombehindhisnewspaper。

AsTompaused，breathless，andPollyclappedherhandsenthusiastically，thesoundwasloudlyechoedfrombehindhim。Bothwhirledround，andtherewasMr。Shaw，standinginthedoorway，applaudingwithallhismight。

Tomlookedmuchabashed，andsaidnotaword；PollyrantoMr。Shaw，anddancedbeforehim，saying，eagerly，"Wasn\'titsplendid？Didn\'thedowell？Mayn\'thehavehisvelocipedenow？"

"Capital，Tom；you\'llbeanoratoryet。Learnanotherpiecelikethat，andI\'llcomeandhearyouspeakit。Areyoureadyforyourvelocipede，hey？"

Pollywasright；andTomownedthat"thegovernor"waskind，didlikehimandhadn\'tentirelyforgottenhispromise。Theboyturnedredwithpleasure，andpickedatthebuttonsonhisjacket，whilelisteningtothisunexpectedpraise；butwhenhespoke，helookedstraightupinhisfather\'sface，whilehisownshonewithpleasure，asheanswered，inonebreath，"Thankee，sir。I\'lldoit，sir。GuessIam，sir!"

"Verygood；thenlookoutforyournewhorsetomorrow，sir。"AndMr。

Shawstrokedthefuzzyredheadwithakindhand，feelingafatherlypleasureintheconvictionthattherewassomethinginhisboyafterall。

Tomgothisvelocipedenextday，nameditBlackAuster，inmemoryofthehorsein"TheBattleofLakeRegillus，"andcametogriefassoonashebegantoridehisnewsteed。

"Comeoutandseemegoit，"whisperedTomtoPolly，afterthreedays\'

practiceinthestreet，forhehadalreadylearnedtorideintherink。

PollyandMaudwillinglywent，andwatchedhisstruggles，withdeepinterest，tillhegotanupset，whichnearlyputanendtohisvelocipedingforever。

"Hi，there!Auster\'scoming!"shoutedTom，ascamerattlingdownthelong，steepstreetoutsidethepark。

Theysteppedaside，andhewhizzedby，armsandlegsgoinglikemad，withthegeneralappearanceofarunawayengine。Itwouldhavebeenatriumphantdescent，ifabigdoghadnotbouncedsuddenlythroughoneoftheopenings，andsentthewholeconcernhelter-skelterintothegutter。Pollylaughedassherantoviewtheruin。forTomlayflatonhisbackwiththevelocipedeatophim，whilethebigdogbarkedwildly，andhismasterscoldedhimforhisawkwardness。ButwhenshesawTom\'sface，Pollywasfrightened，forthecolorhadallgoneoutofit，hiseyeslookedstrangeanddizzy，anddropsofbloodbegantotricklefromagreatcutonhisforehead。Themansawit，too，andhadhimupinaminute；buthecouldn\'tstand，andstaredabouthiminadazedsortofway，ashesatonthecurbstone，whilePollyheldherhandkerchieftohisforehead，andpatheticallybeggedtoknowifhewaskilled。

"Don\'tscaremother，­；I\'mallright。Gotupset，didn\'tI？"heasked，presently，eyeingtheprostratevelocipedewithmoreanxietyaboutitsdamagesthanhisown。

"Iknewyou\'dhurtyourselfwiththathorridthingjustletitbe，andcomehome，foryourheadbleedsdreadfully，andeverybodyislookingatus，"whisperedPolly，tryingtotiethelittlehandkerchiefovertheuglycut。

"Comeon，then。Jove!howqueermyheadfeels!Giveusaboost，please。

Stophowling，Maud，andcomehome。Youbringthemachine，andI\'llpayyou，Pat。"Ashespoke，TomslowlypickedhimselfandsteadyinghimselfbyPolly\'sshoulder，issuedcommands，andtheprocessionfellintoline。

First，thebigdog，barkingatintervals；thenthegood-naturedIrishman，trundling"thatdivilofawhirligig，"ashedisrespectfullycalledtheidolizedvelocipede；thenthewoundedhero，supportedbythehelpfulPolly；

andMaudbroughtuptherearintears，bearingTom\'scap。

Unfortunately，Mrs。Shawwasoutdrivingwithgrandma，andFannywasmakingcalls；sothattherewasnoonebutPollytostandbyTom，fortheparlor-maidturnedfaintatthesightofblood，andthechamber-maidlostherwitsintheflurry。Itwasabadcut，andmustbesewedupatonce，thedoctorsaid，assoonashecame。"Somebodymustholdhishead；"headded，ashethreadedhisqueerlittleneedle。

"I\'llkeepstill，butifanybodymustholdme，letPolly。Youain\'tafraid，areyou？"askedTom，withimploringlook，forhedidn\'tliketheideaofbeingsewedabit。

Pollywasjustgoingtoshrinkaway，saying，"OhIcan\'t!"whensherememberedthatTomoncecalledheracoward。Herewasachancetoprovethatshewasn\'t；besides，poorTomhadnooneelsetohelphim；soshecameuptothesofawherehelay，andnoddedreassuringly，assheputasoftlittlehandoneithersideofthedamagedhead。

"Youareatrump，Polly，"whisperedTom。Thenhesethisteeth，clenchedhishands，layquitestill，andboreitlikeaman。Itwasalloverinaminuteortwo，andwhenhehadhadaglassofwine，andwasnicelysettledonhisbed，hefeltprettycomfortable，inspiteofthepaininhishead；

andbeingorderedtokeepquiet，hesaid，"Thankyoueversomuch，Polly，"

andwatchedherwithagratefulfaceasshecreptaway。

Hehadtokeepthehouseforaweek，andlaidaboutlookingveryinterestingwithagreatblackpatchonhisforehead。Everyone\'pettedhim；\'forthedoctorsaid，thatiftheblowhadbeenaninchnearerthetemple，itwouldhavebeenfatal，andthethoughtoflosinghimsosuddenlymadebluffoldTomverypreciousallatonce。Hisfatheraskedhimhowhewasadozentimesaday；hismothertalkedcontinuallyof"thatdearboy\'snarrowescape"；

andgrandmacockeredhimupwitheverydelicacyshecouldinvent；andthegirlswaitedonhimlikedevotedslaves。Thisnewtreatmenthadanexcellenteffect；forwhenneglectedTomgotoverhisfirstamazementatthischangeofbase，heblossomedoutdelightfully，assickpeopledosometimes，andsurprisedhisfamilybybeingunexpectedlypatient，grateful，andamiable。

Nobodyeverknewhowmuchgooditdidhim；forboysseldomhaveconfidencesofthissortexceptwiththeirmothers，andMrs。Shawhadneverfoundthekeytoherson\'sheart。Butalittleseedwassowedthenthattookroot，andthoughitgrewveryslowly，itcametosomethingintheend。PerhapsPollyhelpeditalittle。Eveningwashishardesttime，forwantofexercisemadehimasrestlessandnervousasitwaspossibleforaheartyladtobeonsuchashortnotice。

Hecouldn\'tsleepsothegirlsamusedhim；­；Fannyplayedandreadaloud；Pollysung，andtoldstories；anddidthelattersowell，thatitgottobearegularthingforhertobeginassoonastwilightcame，andTomwassettledinhisfavoriteplaceongrandma\'ssofa。

"Fireaway，Polly，"saidtheyoungsultan，oneevening，ashislittleScheherazadesatdowninherlowchair，afterstirringupthefiretilltheroomwasbrightandcosy。

"Idon\'tfeellikestoriesto-night，Tom。I\'vetoldallIknow，andcan\'tmakeupanymore，"answeredPolly，leaningherheadonherhandwithasorrowfullookthatTomhadneverseenbefore。Hewatchedheraminute，andthenasked，curiously，"Whatwereyouthinkingabout，justnow，whenyousatstaringatthefire，andgettingsobererandsoberereveryminute？

"IwasthinkingaboutJimmy。"

"Wouldyoumindtellingabouthim？Youknow，yousaidyouwouldsometime；butdon\'t，ifyou\'drathernot，"saidTom，loweringhisroughvoicerespectfully。

"Iliketotalkabouthim；butthereisn\'tmuchtotell，"beganPolly，gratefulforhisinterest。"SittingherewithyouremindedmeofthewayIusedtositwithhimwhenhewassick。Weusedtohavesuchhappytimes，andit\'ssopleasanttothinkaboutthemnow。"

"Hewasawfullygood，wasn\'the？"

"No，hewasn\'t；buthetriedtobe，andmothersaysthatishalfthebattle。Weusedtogettiredoftrying；butwekeptmakingresolutions，andworkinghardtokeep\'em。Idon\'tthinkIgotonmuch；butJimmydid，andeveryonelovedhim。"

"Didn\'tyoueversquabble，aswedo？"

"Yes，indeed，sometimes；butwecouldn\'tstaymad，andalwaysmadeitupagainassoonaswecould。Jimmyusedtocomeroundfirst，andsay，\'Allserene，Polly，\'sokindandjolly，thatIcouldn\'thelplaughingandbeingfriendsrightaway。"

"Didhenotknowalot？"

"Yes，Ithinkhedid，forhelikedtostudy，andwantedtogeton，sohecouldhelpfather。Peopleusedtocallhimafineboy，andIfeltsoproudtohearit；buttheydidn\'tknowhalfhowwisehewas，becausehedidn\'tshowoffabit。Isupposesistersalwaysaregrandoftheirbrothers；

butIdon\'tbelievemanygirlshadasmuchrighttobeasIhad。"

"Mostgirlsdon\'tcaretwopinsabouttheirbrothers；sothatshowsyoudon\'tknowmuchaboutit。"

"Well，theyoughtto，iftheydon\'t；andtheywouldiftheboyswereaskindtothemasJimmywastome。"

"Why，whatdidhedo？"

"Lovedmedearly，andwasn\'tashamedtoshowit，"criedPolly，withasobinhervoice，thatmadeheranswerveryeloquent。

"Whatmadehimdie，Polly？"askedTom，soberly，afterlittlepause。

"Hegothurtcoasting，lastwinter；buthenevertoldwhichboydidit，andheonlylivedaweek。Ihelpedtakecareofhim；andhewassopatient，Iusedtowonderathim，forhewasindreadfulpainalltime。

Hegavemehisbooks，andhisdog，andhisspeckledhens，andhisbigknife，andsaid，\'Good-by，Polly，\'­；andkissedmethelastthing­；andthen­；O

Jimmy!Jimmy!Ifheonlycouldcomeback!"

PoorPolly\'seyeshadbeengettingfullerandfuller，lipstremblingmoreandmore，asshewenton；whenshecametothat"good-by，"shecouldn\'tgetanyfurther，butcoveredupherface，andcriedasherheartwouldbreak。Tomwasfullofsympathy，butdidn\'tknowhowtoshowit；sohesatshakingupthecamphorbottle，andtryingtothinkofsomethingproperandcomfortabletosay，whenFannycametotherescue，andcuddledPollyinherarms，withsoothinglittlepatsandwhispersandkisses，tillthetearsstopped，andPollysaid，she"didn\'tmeanto，andwouldn\'tanymore。I\'vebeenthinkingaboutmydearboyalltheevening，forTomremindsmeofhim，"sheadded，withasigh。

"Me？HowcanI，whenIain\'tabitlikehim？"criedTom，amazed。

"Butyouareinsomeways。"

"WishIwas；butIcan\'tbe，forhewasgood，youknow。"

"Soareyou，whenyouchoose。Hasn\'thebeengoodandpatient，anddon\'tweallliketopethimwhenhe\'sclever，Fan？"\'saidPolly，whoseheartwasstillachingforherbrother，andreadyforhissaketofindvirtuesevenintormentingTom。