第8章
BILLOFFAREFORHERMAJESTY"SDINNER
QuailSoup。Crackers。
ChiliColorado。
(Muttonstew，inSpanishstyle，withChilipeppers，tomatoes，andonions。)
ColdBoiledHam。FriedPotatoes。
ApplesandOnionsstewedtogether。
Ginger-snaps。Pickles。
Peaches，Apricots，andNectarines。
CaliforniaNutsandRaisins。
Coffee。
Andlastofall，asurpriseofBell"s，flapjacks，longteasedforbytheboys，andpreparedandfriedbyherownhandswhilethemerrypartywaitedattable，togetthemsmokinghot。
Shecameinflushedwithheatandpride，theprettiestcookanybodyeversaw，withherhairbobbedupoutofthewayanddoingitsbesttoescape，ahigh-neckedwhiteapron，sleevesrolleduptotheelbow，andaninsinuatingspotofbatterinthedimpleofherleftcheek。
"There!"shecried，joyfully，asshedepositedaheapingplateinfrontofhermother，andsetthetincanofmaplesyrupbyitsside。
"Beginonthose，andI"llfrylikelightningontwogriddlestokeepupwithyou，"andsherushedtothebrushkitchentoturnhernextinstalmentsthathadbeenlefttobrown。HopYethadretiredtoadistantspotbythebrook，andwaswashingdish-towels。AllChinesecooksarealikeintheirhorrorofawomaninthekitchen；butsomeofthemwillunbendsofarastoallowhertoamuseherselfsolongastheyarenotrequiredtowitnessthedisagreeablespectacle。
Belldelicatelyinsertedthecake-turnerunderthecurlededgesoftheflapjacksandturnedthemoverdeftly，usingalittletoomuchforce，perhaps，inthedownwardstrokewhensheflungthembackonthegriddle。
"Seemstometheycomedownwithconsiderableofathud，"shesaid，reflectively。"Ihopethey"renottough，forIshouldneverhearthelastofit。GuessI"llpunchonewiththehandleofthistinshovel，andseehowitacts。Goodness!it"ssortof——elastic。That"sfunny。
Well，perhapsit"sthewaytheyoughttolook。"Hereshetransferredthesmokingmysteriestoherplate，passedabitofporkoverthegriddles，and，afterladlingouteightmore，flewofftothegroupatthetable。
"Aretheygood?"shewasbeginningtoask，whenthewordswerefrozenonherlipsbythesightofasignificanttableau。
Thefourboyswerestandingonthebenchthatservedinsteadofdining-chairs，eachwithaplateandapancakeonthetableinfrontofthem。Jackheldahammerandspike，ScottBurtonahatchet，Geoffreyasaw，andPhiliparifle。Bellwasnothingifnotintuitive。Noelaborateexplanationseverwereneededtoshowherafact。Withoutawordsheflungtheplateofflapjackssheheldasfarintoathicketasshehadforcetoflingit，andthendroppedonherknees。
""Shoot，ifyoumust，thisoldgreyhead，Butsparemyflapjacks，sirs，"shesaid!
"What"sthematterwiththem?Tough?Irefusetobelieveit。Yourtoolsaretoodull，——that"sall。Usemoreenergy!Nothinginthisworldcanbeaccomplishedwithouteffort。"
"They"realovelybrown，"beganMrs。Winship，sympathetically。
"Andtheyhaveaverygoodflavour，"addedElsie。
"Don"ttouchthem，dearest!"criedBell，snatchingtheplatefromunderElsie"sverynose。"Iwon"thaveyoumadeillbymyfailures。
Butasfortheboys，Idon"tcareafigforthem。Letthemmakeflapjacksmoretotheirtaste，theodiousthings!PollyOliver，didyouputinthatbakingpowder，asItoldyou，whileIwentforthepork?"
Pollyblanched。"Bakingpowder?"shefaltered。
"Yes，bakingpowder!B-A-K-I-N-GP-O-W-D-E-R!DoImakemyselfplain?"
"Oh，bakingpowder，tobesure。Well，nowthatyoumentionthematter，IdorememberthatDickycalledmeawayjustasIwasgettingit；andnowthatIthinkofit，Elsiecamejustafterwards，and——and——
"
"Andthat"sthewholeofmystory，O，"sangJack。"Irecommendthecriminaltothemercyofthecourt。"
"Acaseoftoomanycooks，"laughedDr。Winship。"Cheerup，girls；
betterfortunenexttime。"
"Thereareeightmoreofthemburningonthegriddlesthismoment，Polly，"saidBell，scathingly；"andastheyareyours，notmine，I
adviseyoutothrowtheminthebrook，withtherestofthebatter，sothatHopYetwon"tknowthattherehasbeenafailure。"
"Somepeopleblighteverythingtheytouch，"sighedPolly，gloomily，asshedepartedforthekitchen。
"ButwhenIlieinthegreenkirkyard-
"Oh，Polly，dear，"interruptedMargery，"thatapologywillnotserveanylonger；you"veusedittoooften。"
"Thisisgoingtobeentirelydifferent，"continuedPolly，tragically。
"ButwhenIlieinthegreenkirkyard，WiththemoulduponmybreastsSaynotthatshemadeflapjackswell，Only，shedidherbest。"
"Wepromise!"criedBell。
CHAPTERVII:POLLY"SBIRTHDAY:FIRSTHALF
INWHICHSHEREJOICESATTHEMEREFACTOFHEREXISTENCE。
""Ofrabjousday!Calooh!Callay!"
Hechortledinhisjoy。"
Polly"sbirthdaydawnedauspiciously。Atsixo"clockshewaskissedoutofasoundsleepbyBellandMargery，andthethreegirlsslippedontheirwrappers，andpreparedtorunthroughthetreesforamorningplungeinMirrorPool。AlthoughitwasAugusttherewasstillwaterenoughinMinnehahaBrooktogiveonearefreshingdip。
MirrorPoolwasaquarterofamiledistantandwellguardedwithrocksanddeephiddenintrees；butalittlepathwayhadbeenmadetothewater"sedge，andthusthegirlshadeasyaccesstowhattheycalledTheMermaid"sBath。Abay-treewasadornedwithalittleredwoodsign，whichboreapictureofamermaid，drawnbyMargery，andbelowthenametheselinesinrusticletters:-
"Ahiddenbrook，ThattothesleepingwoodsallnightSingethaquiettune。"
Laurahadnotlivedlongenoughinthewoodstoenjoythesecoldplunges；and，asheridealwasamarbletub，withscentedwater，andaFrenchmaidtoapplythesamewithavelvetsponge，itisnotmuchwonder。Sheinsistedthat，thoughitwasdoubtlessaveryromanticproceeding，thebottomandsidesofthenaturaltubwerequitetoorockyandroughforhertaste，andthatsheshouldbeinconstantterrorofsnakescurlingroundhertoes。
"I"veagreatmindtowakeLaura，justforonce，"saidBell，openingthetentdoor。"Thereneverwassuchamorning!(IbelieveI"vesaidthatregularlyeveryday；butIsimplynevercangetusedtoit。)Theremusthavebeenawonderfulsunrise，dears，fortheglowhasn"tfadedyet。Notabitofmorningfog——that"sgoodforElsie。
Andwhatalovelydayforabirthday!DidtheyusetogiveyouanythinglikethisinVermont，Polly?"
"Hardly，"saidPolly，peeringoverBell"sshoulder。"Let"ssee。
WhatdidtheygiveusinVermontthismonth?Why，Ican"tthinkofanythingbutdog-days，hotnights，andhayfever；butthatsoundsungrateful。Why，Geoff"supalready!There"sElsie"sbunchofvines，andtwigs，andprettythingshangingonhertent-door。He"sbeenoffonhorseback。Justmylucktohavehimgetupfirst。Jackalwaysdoes，youknow；andlastnightIsewedupthetent-openingwithcarpet-thread，goodandtight，overhand——stitchesIwouldn"tbeashamedofatasewing-school。"
"Ohyounaughtygirl!"laughedBell。"Theboyscouldripitopenwithaknifeinhalfthetimeittookyoutosewit。"
"Certainly。Ididn"tmeantokeepthemsewedupallday；butI
thoughtI"dlikeJacktoremembermethefirstthingthismorning。"
"Girls，"whisperedMargery，excitedly，"don"tstandtheremooning——orsunning——forever!Ithoughttherewasagopherinthistentlastnight。Iheardsomethingscratching，andIthoughtitwasthedogoutside；butjustlookatthesetwoholesalmostunderLaura"spillow!"
"Let"sfillthemup，coverthemover——anything!"gaspedBell。"Laurawillneversleephereanothernightifsheseesthem。"
"NobodyinsuredLauraagainstgophers，"saidPolly。"Shemusttakethefortunesofwar。"
"Iwouldn"twakeher，"saidMargery。"Shedidn"tsleepwell，andherfaceisflushed。Come，orweshallbelateforbreakfast。"
Whentheyreturned，freshandrosy，fromtheirbath，therewasastiroflifeinallthetents。Panchohadcomefromthestage-stationwithmail；anodourofbreakfastissuedfromthekitchen，whereHopYetwashummingafragmentofChinesesong，thatransomethinglikethis，——notloud，butunearthlyenough，asBellusedtosay，tospoilalmostanycooking:-
[Musicfollows]
Fongfongmongmongtiuhesunyi-usowchonghowki-umeyuntan-tarchekuchoisong!
Dickywasabroad，radiantinanewsuitofclothes，andElsiepushedhergoldenheadoutbetweenthecurtains，andproclaimedherselfstrongenoughforawrestling-matchwithanyboyormanaboutthecamp。
ButtheyfoundLaurasittingontheedgeofherstrawbed，directlyovertheconcealedgopher-holes，amirrorinherhandandanexpressionofabjectmiseryonhercountenance。
"What"sthematter?"criedthegirlsinonebreath。Buttheyneedednoanswer，assheturnedherfacetowardsthelight，foritwasplainlyacaseofpoison-oak——oneeyealmostclosed，andthecheekscarletandswollen。
"Wheredoyousupposeyougotit?"askedBell。
"Oh，Idon"tknow。It"severywhere；soIdon"tseehowIeverhopedtoescapeit。YetI"veworngloveseveryminute。IthinkImusthavetoucheditwhenIwentupthemountaintrailwithJack。I"maperfectfrightalready，andIsupposeithasonlybegun。"
"Isitverypainful?"askedPolly，sympathetically。"Oh，youdolooksofunny，Icanhardlyhelplaughing，butI"massorryasIcanbe。"
"Ishouldexpectyoutolaugh——yougenerallydo，"retortedLaura。
"No，it"snotpainfulyet；butIdon"tcareaboutthat——it"slookingsoridiculous。IwonderifDr。Winshipcouldsendmehome。IwishnowthatIhadgonewithScott，forIcan"tbepennedupinthistentaweek。"
"Oh，itwon"thurtyoutogoout，"saidBell，"andyoucanlieinthesitting-room。Justwait，andletmammatryandcureyou。She"safamousdoctor。"AndBellfinisheddressinghurriedly，andwenttohermother"stent，whilePollyandMargerysmoothedthebedwithafurtivekickofstrawovertheoffendinggopher-holes，andhungadarkshawlsoastoshieldLaura"seyes。
AuntTruthenteredspeedily，withafamilymedicalguideunderonearm，andaboxofremediesundertheother。
"Thedoctorhastoldmejustwhattodo，andhewillseeyouafterbreakfasthimself。Itdoesn"tlooksoverybadacase，dear；don"trunaboutinthesunforadayortwo，andwe"llbringyououtallright。Thedoctorhashadusallundertreatmentatsometimeorother，becauseofthattroublesomelittleplant。"
"Idon"twanttogetuptobreakfast，"moanedLaura。
"Justasyoulike。ButitisPolly"sbirthday，youknow(manyhappyreturns，mysweetPollykins)，andtherearegreatpreparationsgoingon。"
"Ican"thelpit，Mrs。Winship。Theboyswouldmakefunofmylooks；
andIshouldn"tblamethem。"
"AppearastheVeiledLady，"suggestedMargery，asMrs。Winshipwentout。
"Iwon"tcome，andthat"stheendofit，"saidLaura。"PerhapsifI
bathemyfaceallthemorningIcancometodinner。"
Afterbreakfastwasclearedaway，HopYetandMrs。Howard"slittleChinaboyGinweregivenahalf-holiday，andallowedtogotoa——
neighbouringranchtoseea"flend"ofHopYet"s；foritwasapartofthebirthdayschemethatBellandGeoffreyshouldcookthefestivaldinner。
JackwassodelightedatthefailureofPolly"sschemetosewhiminhistent，thathesimplyradiatedamiability，andspentthewholemorninghelpingElsieandMargerywithasetofelaboratedinner-
cards，executedonhalf-sheetsofnote-paper。
Thedinneritselfwasagrandsuccess。HalfofthecardsboreacaricatureofPollyintheshapeofaparrot，withtheinscription"Pollywantacracker?"Therestwereadornedwithprettysketchesofherinhercamping-dress，akettleinonehand，andunderneath，"Polly，putthekettleon，We"llallhavetea。"
ThiswasthebilloffarearrangedbyBellandGeoffrey，andwrittenonthereversesideofthedinner-cardsDINNERALAMOTHERGOOSE。
CAMPCHAPARRAL。
August15，18。
"Comewithawhoop，comewithacall；
Comewithagoodwill，ornotatall。"
"VICTUALSANDDRINK。"
BEANSOUP。
"Shegavethemsomebroth，shegavethemsomebread。"
SALTCODFISH。
"YoushallhaveafishyInalittledishy。"
ROASTMUTTONALAVENISON。
"Dearsensibility，Ola!
Iheardalittlelambcryba-a!"
POTATOESINJACKETS。
"Thebutcher，thebaker，thecandlestick-maker，Alljumpedoutofaroastedpotato。"
STEWEDBEANS。
"You，norI，nornobodyknows，Whereoats，peas，beans，andbarleygrows。"
CHICKENANDBEEFSANDWICHES。
"Hickety，pickety，myprettyhenLaidgoodeggsforgentlemen。"
TaffywasaWelshman，Taffywasathief，Taffycametomyhouseandstoleapieceofbeef。"
LEMONPIE。
"Apiesatonapear-tree。"
PLUMTARTS。
"TheQueenofHearts，shemadesometarts，Allonasummer"sday。"
FRUIT，NUTS，ANDRAISINS。
"Youshallhaveanapple，Youshallhaveaplum。"
"Ihadalittlenut-tree，nothingwoulditbearButasilvernutmegandagoldenpear。"
BREADANDCHEESE。
"WhenIwasabachelorIlivedbymyself，AndallthebreadandcheeseIgotIputupontheshelf。"
COFFEEANDLEMONADE。
"One，two，three，howgoodyoube!
IlovecoffeeandBillylovestea。"
"Orangesandlemons，SaysthebellofSt。Clemen"s。"
"WhattheyateIcan"ttell，But"tisknownverywellThatnoneofthepartygrewfat。"
BellandGeofftookturnsat"dishingup"inthekitchen，andsatdownatthetablebetweenwhiles；andtheybarelyescapedbeingmobbedwhentheyomittedoneortwodishesontheprogramme，andconfessedthattheyhadbeenputonprincipallyforthe"style"ofthething，——averypoorexcusetoacompanyofpeoplewhohavemadeuptheirmouthsforallthedelicaciesoftheseason。
Jackwasheadwaiter，andhavingdonnedacleanwhiteblouseofHopYet"sandhisbestcapwiththeredbutton，fromwhichdangledahastilyimprovisedqueueofblackworsted，heproceededtoconvulseeverybodywithhisMongolianantics。TheseconsistedofmostinformalremarksincleverpigeonEnglish，andsnatchesofChinesemelody，renderedfromtimetotimeashecarrieddishesintothekitchen。Elsielaugheduntilshecried，andLaurasatintheshadiestcorner，herheadartisticallyswathedinwhitetarlatan。
PollyoccupiedtheseatofhonourattheendofthetableoppositeDr。Winship，andwashappierthanaqueen。Sheworehernewgreencambric，withabunchofleavesatherbelt。Shewassun-burned，butthefrecklesseemedtohavedisappearedmysteriouslyfromhernose，andalmostanyonewouldhaveadmiredtherosyskin，thedancingeyes，andthegracefullittleauburnhead，"sunningoverwithcurls。"
Whenthelastbitofdesserthadbeendisposedof，andDickyhadgonetosleepinhismother"slap，likeaninfantboa-constrictorafteraheartymeal，thepresentationofgiftsandreadingofpoemstookplace；andPollyhadtobeonthealerttoanswerallthenonsensicaljokesthatwereaimedather。
Finally，BellcrownedtheoccasionbyproducingasongofMissMulock"s，whichhadcomeinthemorningmailfromsomegirlfriendofPolly"sintheEast，whohaddiscoveredthatPolly"snamehadappearedinpoetryandsongwithoutherknowledge，andwhothoughtshemightbeinterestedtohearthecomposition。WiththeaidofBell"sguitarandJack"sbanjothegirlsandboyssooncaughttheprettyair，andsungitinchorus。
1。PrettyPol-lyOl-i-ver，willyoubemyown?
Pret-tyPol-lyOl-i-ver，ascoldasastone；Butmylovehasgrownwarm-erascold-eryou"vegrown，OPret-tyPol-lyOl-i-ver，willyoubemyown?
2。Pret-tyPol-lyOl-i-ver，Iloveyousodear!
Pret-tyPol-lyOl-i-ver，myhopeandmyfear；I"vewait-edforyou，sweet-heart，thismanyalongyear；ForPret-tyPol-lyOl-i-ver，I"velovedyousodear!
3。Pret-tyPol-lyOl-i-ver，I"llbidyougoodbye:
Pret-tyPol-lyOl-i-ver，foryouI"llnotdie；You"llnev-ergetatru-ertruelov-erthanI，SoPret-tyPol-lyOl-i-ver，good-bye，love，good-bye!
Attheend，Dr。Winshipraisedhisglassoflemonade，andproposedtodrinkMissOliver"shealth。Thiswasdonewithenthusiasm，andGeoffreyimmediatelycried，"Speech，speech!"
"Ican"t，"saidPolly，blushingfuriously。
"Speech!"sungJackandPhilipvociferously，poundingonthetablewithknife-handlestoincreasethefurore。
"Speech!"demandedthegenialdoctor，goingovertothemajority，andsmilingencouraginglyatPolly，whowaspushedtoherfeetbeforesheknewverywellwhatshewasdoing。"Oh，ifLaurawerenotlookingatme，"shethought，"I"djustliketospeakrightout，andtellthemalittlebitofwhatisinmyheart。Idon"tcare——Iwill!"
"Iknowyouareallinfun，"shesaid，lookingbravelyintothegooddoctor"seyes，"andofcoursenoonecouldmakeaproperspeechwithJackgrinninglikeaCheshirecat，butIcan"thelptellingyouthatthisisthehappiestsummerandthehappiestbirthdayofmywholelife，andthatIscarcelyremembernowadaysthatIhavenofatherandnobrothersandsisters，forIhaveneverbeenaloneorunhappysinceyoutookmeinamongyouandBellchosemeforherfriend；andI
thinkthatifyouknewhowgratefulIamformybeautifulsummer，dearDr。PaulandAuntTruth，youwouldbegladthatyougaveittome，andIloveyouall，dearly，dearly，dearly!"WhereupontheimpulsivelittlecreaturefinishedhermaidenspeechbydashingroundthetableandgivingMrs。Winshiponeofher"bearhugs，"atwhicheverybodylaughedandrosefromthetable。
LauraBurton，whowasthoroughlyoutofconceitwiththeworld，andwhowasneverquitehappywhenotherpeopleseemedforthemomenttobepreferredtoherself，thoughtthisburstofaffectiondecidedlytheatrical，butshedidnotknowofanyonetowhomshecouldconfineheropinionsjustthen；indeed，shefelttoodepressedandoutofsortstojoininthegeneralhilarity。
Dinnerbeingover，Dr。Paulandtheboystookthechildrenandsaunteredupthecanyonforalazyafternoonwiththeirbooks。Elsiewenttosleepinthenewhammockthatthedoctorhadhunginthesycamoresbackofthegirls"sleeping-tent，andMrs。Winshiplaydownforherafternoonnap。PanchosaddledthehorsesforBellandMargery，whowentforagallop。Pollyclimbedintothesky-parlourtowritealonglettertohermother，andLaurawaslefttosolitudeinthesleeping-tent。Noweverybodyknowsthatatentatmiddayisnotaparticularlypleasantspot，andaftermanyagroanattheglareofthesun，whichcouldnotbetemperedbyanysystemofshawls，andmoansatthegopher-holeswhichshediscoveredwhilesearchingforherear-ring，andrepeatedconsultationswiththehand-glassatbriefintervals，duringwhichsheconvincedherselfthatshelookedworseeveryminute，——shefinallydiscoveredaseriesofalarmingnewspotsonherneckandchin。Shefeltthenthatcampingoutwasacompletefailure，andthatshewouldbetakenhomeforthwithifitcouldbemanaged，sinceshesawnothingbeforeherbutdayafterdayofcloseconfinementandunattractivepersonalappearance。"It"sjustmyluck!"shegrumbled，asshetwistedupherhairandmadeherselfaspresentableaspossibleunderthetryingcircumstances。"Idon"tthinkIeverhadabecomingoraninterestingillness。Thechicken-
pox，mumps，andstiesonmyeyes——that"sthesortofthingIhave!"
"Ifeelmuchworse，Mrs。Winship，"shesaid，goingintothesitting-
roomtentandwakingAuntTruthfromapeacefulsnooze。"IfyoucansparePanchoovernight，IreallythinkImusttroubleyoutosendAnneandmehomeatonce。IfeelasifIwantedtogotobedinadarkroom，andIshallonlybeabotherifIstay。"
"Why，mychild，I"msorrytohaveyougooffwithyourvisitunfinished。Youknowwedon"tmindanyamountoftrouble，ifwecanmakeyoucomfortable。"
"Youareverykind，butindeedI"drathergo。"
"Ihardlydareletyoustartinthehotsun——withoutconsultingthedoctor，andeverybodyisawayexceptPolly；theywillfeelbadlynottosaygood-bye。"
"Itisnearlythreeo"clocknow，sotheworstofthesunisover，andweshallbeattheranchbyeightthisevening。Ifeeltooilltosaygood-bye，anyway，andweshallmeetBellandMargerysomewhereontheroad，fortheyweregoingtothemilkranch。"
"Verywell，mydear，ifyou"vemadeupyourmindImustyield，"
repliedMrs。Winship，gettingupandsmoothingherhair。"Idon"tdarewakeElsie，shehashadsuchanexcitingday；butI"llcallPollytohelpyoupack，andthentellPanchotofindAnneandharnesstheteam。Whileheisdoingthat，I"llgetyoualittlelunchtotakewithyouandwriteanotetoyourmother。Perhapsyoucancomeagainbeforewebreakcamp，butI"msorrytosendyouhomeinsuchasadplight。"
CHAPTERVIII:POLLY"SBIRTHDAY:SECONDHALF
INWHICHSHEWISHESSEEHADNEVERBEENBORN。
"FromHebrewwitthemaximsprung，Thoughfeetshouldslip，ne"erletthetongue。
Pollycameatoncetothetent，whereshefoundLauragettingherbelongingstogether。
"Why，Laura，itseemstoobadyoushouldgooffsosuddenly。WhatcanIdotohelpyou?"
TheveryspiritofevilenteredLaura"sheartasshelookedatPolly，sofreshandprettyandradiant，withherdimplesdancinginandout，herhairruffledwiththeeffortofliterarycomposition，andtheglowoftheday"shappinessstillshininginhereyes。ShefeltasifPollywas"gladinside"thatshewaspoisoned；shefeltsureshewasinternallyjumpingforjoyatherdeparture；and，aboveall，shefeltthatPollywasentirelytooconceitedovertheattentionshehadreceivedthatday，andneededtobe"takendownapegortwo。"
"Red-haired，stuck-up，saucything，"shethought，"howIshouldliketogiveherapieceofmymindbeforeIleavethisplace，ifIonlydared!"
"Idon"tneedanyhelp，thankyou，"shesaidaloud，inhericiestmanner。
"Butitwillonlymakeyourheadachetobendoverandtugawayatthatvalise，andI"llbeonlytoogladtodoit。"
"I"venodoubtofthat，"respondedLaura，meaningly。"Itisuselessforyoutomakeanyshowofregretovermygoing，forIknowperfectlywellthatyouaregladtogetmeoutoftheway。"
"Why，Laura，whatdoyoumean?"exclaimedPolly，completelydazedatthisbombshellofcandour。
"ImeanwhatIsay；andIshouldhavesaiditbeforeifIcouldeverhavefoundachance。BecauseIdidn"tmentionitatthetime，youneedn"tsupposeI"veforgottenyourgettingmeintotroublewithMrs。
Winship，thedaybeforetheHowardscame。"
"Thatwasnotmyfault，"saidPolly，hotly。"Ididn"tspeakanylouderthantheothergirls，andIdidn"tknowAuntTruthobjectedtoMrs。Pinkerton，andIdidn"tknowshewasanywherenear。"
"YouroaredlikethebullofBashan——that"swhatyoudid。Perhapsyoucan"thelpyourvoice，butanybodyinthecanyoncouldhaveheardyou；andMrs。Winshiphasn"tbeenthesametomesince，andtheboysdon"ttaketheslightestnoticeofmelately。"
"Youareentirelymistaken，Laura。Dr。andMrs。Winshiparejustaslovelyandcordialtoyouastheyaretoeverybodyelse，andtheboysdonotfeelwellenoughacquaintedwithyouto"frolic"withyouastheydowithus。"
"Itisn"tso，butyouarenotsensitiveenoughtoseeit；andI
shouldneverhavebeenpoisonedifithadn"tbeenforyou!"
"Oh，goon，do!"saidPolly，beginningtoloseherself-control，whichwasneververygreat。"Ididn"tknowIwasaLucreziaBorgiaindisguise。HowdidIpoisonyou，pray?"
"Ididn"tsayyoupoisonedme；butyoumademesouncomfortablethatday，bringingdownMrs。Winship"slectureonmyheadandgettingmybestfriendabused，thatIwasgladtogetawayfromthecamp，andwentoutwithJackforthatreasonwhenIwastootiredandwarm；andyouarealwaystryingtocutmeoutwithBellandtheboys。"