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。"