第9章

"That"saperfectly——jetblack——fib!"criedPolly，whowasnowthoroughlyangry；"andIdon"tthinkitisverypoliteofyoutoattackthewholeparty，andsaytheyhaven"tbeennicetoyou，whenthey"vedoneeverythingintheworld!"

"Itisn"tyourpartyanymorethanmine，isit?AndifIdon"tknowhowtobepolite，Icertainlyshan"taskYOUforinstruction；forI

mustknowasmuchaboutthemannersofgoodsocietyasyoudo，inasmuchasIhavecertainlyseenmoreofit!"

Pollysankintoacamp-chair，toostunnedforamomenttoreply，whileLaura，whohadgonequitebeyondthepointwhereshekneworcaredwhatshesaid，wentonwitharushofwords:"Imeantotellyou，nowthatIamstarted，thatanybodywhoisn"tblindcanseewhyyoutoadytotheWinships，whohavemoneyandsocialposition，andwhyyouaresoanxioustokeepeverybodyelsefromgettingintotheirgoodgraces；buttheyaresopartialtoyouthattheyhavegivenyouanentirelyfalseideaofyourself；andyoumightaswellknowthatunlessyoukeepyourselfalittlemoreinthebackground，andgrowalittlelessboldandaffectedandindependent，otherpeoplewillnotbequiteasreadyastheWinshipstomakeapetofagirlwhosemotherkeepsaboarding-house。"

PoorLaura!Itwasnosoonersaidthansheregrettedit——alittle，notmuch。ButpoorPolly!Wherewashergoodangelthen?Whycouldshenothavetreatedthisthrustwiththesilenceandcontemptitdeserved?ButhowcouldLaurahavedetectedandprobedthemostsensitivespotinthegirl"snature?Shelostallcommandofherself。Herrageabsolutelyfrightenedher，foritmadeherdeafandblindtoallconsiderationsofproprietyandself-respect，andforamomentshewasonlyconsciousofthewilddesiretostrike——

yes，eventokill——thepersonwhohadsoinsultedallthatwasdearesttoher。

"Don"tdaretosayanotherword!"shepanted，withsuchflamingcheeksandsuchflashingeyesthatLaurainvoluntarilyretreatedtowardsthedoor，halfafraidofthetempestherwordshadevoked。

"Don"tdaretosayanotherword，orIdon"tknowwhatImaydo!Yes，Iamgladyouaregoing，andeverybodywillbeglad，andthesooneryougothebetter!You"vemadeeverybodymiserableeversinceyoucame，withyourjealousyandyourgossipandyourfine-ladyairs；andifAuntTruthhadn"tlovedyourmother，andifweweremeanenoughtotelltales，wewouldhaverepeatedsomeofyourdisagreeablespeecheslongago。HowcanyoudaretosayIlovetheWinshipsforanythingbutthemselves?Andifyouhadeverseenmydarlingmother，younevercouldhavecalledheraboarding-housekeeper，youcruel——"

Oh，butthedashingtorrentofangrywordsstoppedatthemerementionofhermother。Thewordrecalledhertoherself，buttoolate。Itwokeinhermemorytheclaspofhermother"sarms，thesoundofthesweet，tiredvoice:"Onlytwoofusagainstthebigworld，Polly——youandI。Bebrave，littledaughter，braveandpatient。"Oh，howimpatientandcowardlyshehadbeen!Wouldsheneverlearntobegood?Thebetterimpulsesrushedbackintoherheart，andcrowdedoutthebadonessoquicklythatinanothermomentshewouldhaveflungherselfatLaura"sfeet，andimploredherforgivenessmerelytogainagainherownself-respectandhermother"sapproval；buttherewasnotimeforrepentance(thereisn"tsometimes)，fortheclatterofwheelsannouncedPancho"sapproachwiththeteam，andMrs。WinshipandAnneBurtoncameintoview，walkingrapidlytowardsthetent。

Laurawasagooddealdisconcertedattheirill-timedappearance，butreflectedrapidlythatifMrs。Winshiphadoverheardanything，itwasprobablyPolly"slastspeech，inwhichcasethatyoungpersonwouldseemtobemoreinfaultthanherself，sosteppingoutofthetentshemetMrs。Winshipandkissedhergood-bye。

LittleAnneranonandjumpedintothewagon，withallachild"sjoyattheprospectofgoinganywhere。Polly"sbackwasturned，butshecouldnotdisappearentirelywithinthetentwithoutcausingMrs。

Winshipsurprise；andshewentthroughalifetimeofmiseryandself-

reproachinthatminuteofshameandfear，whenshedaredneithertoadvancenorretreat。

"Idon"tquiteliketoletyougoalone，Laura，withoutconsultingthedoctor，andIcan"tfindhim，"saidMrs。Winship。"Why，youarenervousandtrembling!Hadn"tyoubetterwaituntilto-morrow?"

"No，thankyou，Mrs。Winship。Iamallreadynow，andwouldprefertogo。IthinkperhapsIhavestayedquitelongenough，asPollyhasjusttoldmethateverybodyisgladtoseethelastofme，andthatI"vemadeyouallmiserablesinceIcame。

ThiswastheclimaxtoPolly"smisery；forshewasalreadysoovercomebythethoughtofherrudenessthatshewasonthepointofbeggingLaura"spardonforthatparticularspeechthenandthere，andshehadonlytohearherexactwordsrepeatedtofeelhowtheywouldsoundinMrs。Winship"sears。

Mrs。WinshipwassoentirelytakenabackbyLaura"sremark，thatshecouldonlyejaculate，"Polly——said——that!Whatdoyoumean?"

"Oh，Iamquitereadytothinkshesaidmorethansheintended，butthosewereherwords。"

"Polly!"

Pollyturned。Alas!itwasplainenoughthatthiswasnofalseaccusation。Herdowncasteyes，flushed，tear-stainedcheeks，quiveringlips，andthesilentshameofherwholefigure，spoketooclearly。

"Canitbepossible，Polly，thatyouspokeinsuchawaytoaguestwhowasabouttoleavemyhouse?"

"Yes。"

ThewordwaswrungfromPolly"stremblinglips。Whatcouldshesaybut"Yes，"——itwastrue，——andhowcouldsherepeatthetauntsthathadprovokedhertoretort?Theywerenotasufficientexcuse；andforthatmatter，nothingcouldbeasufficientexcuseforherlanguage。Nowthatshewasconfrontedwithherownfault，Laura"sseemedsosmallbesideitthatshewouldhavebeenashamedtoofferitasanyjustification。

Mrs。Winshipgrewpale，andforamomentwasquiteatalossastothetreatmentofsuchasituation。

"Don"tsayanymoreaboutit，Mrs。Winship，"saidLaura；"wewerebothangry，orweshouldneverhaveforgottenourselves，andIshallthinknomoreofit。"Lauraspokewithsuchanairofmodestvirtue，andseemedsoreadytoforgiveandforget，thatPollyinhersilenceandconfusionappearedworsethanever。

"ButIwantyoutorememberthatyouaremyguest，notPauline"s；

thatIaskedyoutocomeandaskyoutoremain。Icannotallowyoutogosimplybecauseyoudonotchancetobeafavouritewithanotherofmyguests。"(Oh!thepangthesewordsgavePolly"sfaulty，tenderlittleheart!)

"IamonlygoingbecauseIfeelsoill，——notabitbecauseofwhatPollysaid；Iwasinthewrong，too，perhaps，butIpromisenottoletanybodynoranythingmakemequarrelwhenIvisityouagain。

Good-bye!"andLaurasteppedintothewagon。

"Itrustyouwillnotmentionthistoyourmother，sinceIhopeitistheonlyunpleasantincidentofyourvisit；anditisnofaultofminethatyougoawaywithanunhappyimpressionofourhospitality。"

HereMrs。WinshipreachedupandkissedlittleAnne，andasthehorseswererestive，andnooneseemedtohaveanythingfurthertosay，Panchodroveoff。

"Idon"tcaretotalkwithyouanymoreatpresent，Polly，"saidMrs。

Winship。"Iamtoohurtandtooindignanttospeakofyourconductquietly。Iknowthestrugglesyouhavewithyourtemper，andIamquitewillingtosympathisewithyouevenwhenyoudonotcomeoffvictorious；butthisissomethingquitedifferent。Ican"tconceivehowanyamountofprovocationordislikecouldhaveledyouintosuchdisloyaltytome"；andwiththisshewalkedaway。

Pollystaggeredintoalittleplay-roomtentofDicky"s，wheresheknewthatshecouldbealone，pinnedthecurtainstogethersothatnoonecouldpeepin，andthrewherselfdownuponthelongcushionedseatwhereDickywaswonttotakehisafternoonnap。There，ingriefanddespair，shesobbedtheafternoonthrough，dreadingtobedisturbedanddreadingtobequestioned。

"Mybeautifulbirthdayspoiled，"shemoaned，"andallmyownfault!

Iwassohappythismorning，butnowwaseveranybodysomiserableasI?AndevenifItellAuntTruthwhatLaurasaid，shewillthinkitnoexcuse，anditisn"t!"

Asitnearedsupper-timeshemadeanopeninginthebackofthetent，andafterlongwatchingcaughtsightofGinonhiswaytothebrookforwater，signalledhim，andgavehimthisdespairinglittlenoteforMrs。Winship:-

DearAuntTruth，——Idon"taskyoutoforgiveme——Idon"tdeservetobeforgiven——butIaskyoutodomejustonemoreofyourdearlittlekindnesses。LetmestayaloneinDicky"stenttillmorning，andpleasedon"tletanyonecomenearme。Youcantelleverybodythewholestoryto-night，ifyouthinkbest，thoughIshouldbegladifonlyDr。PaulandBellneedknow；butIdonotmindanythingafterdispleasingyou——nothingcanbesobadasthat。PerhapsyouthinkI

oughttocomeoutandconfessittothemmyself，asapunishment；butoh，AuntTruth，Iampunishingmyselfinherealoneworsethananyoneelsecandoit。IwillgobacktoSantaBarbaraanytimethatyoucansendmetothestagestation，andIwillneveraskyoutolovemeagainuntilIhavelearnedhowtocontrolmytemper。Yourwretched，wretchedPOLLY。

P。S——Irememberthatitismybirthday，andallthatyouhavedoneforme，to-dayandalltheotherdays。ItlooksasifIwereungrateful，butinspiteofwhatIdidIamnot。Thewordsjustblazedout，andIneverknewthattheyweregoingtobesaidtillI

heardthemfallingfrommymouth。ItseemstomethatifIeveratoneforthisIwillhaveaslateandpencilhangingtomybelt，andonlywritewhatIhavetosay。POLLY。

ThemoisturecametoMrs。Winship"seyesasshereadthistear-

stainedlittlenote。"There"ssomethinghereIdon"tquiteunderstand，"shethought；"andyetPollyconfessedthatLauratoldthetruth。Poorchild!——butshehasgottolearnpatienceandself-

controlthroughsuffering。However，I"llkeepthematterasecretfromeverybodyatpresent，andstandbetweenherandmyinquisitivebroodofyoungsters，"andsheslippedthenoteintoherpocket。

Atsixo"clockthemembersofthefamilycameintocampfromvariousdirections，andgatheredaboutthesupper-table。AllweresurprisedatLaura"ssuddendeparture，butnooneseemedespeciallygrief-

stricken。DickyannouncedconfidentiallytoPhilipthatLaurawasa"norful"fraid-catoffrogs，"andJackventuredtheopinionthatMissLaurahadn"t"boy"enoughinherforcamp-life。

"ButwhereisPolly?"askedBell，lookingroundthetable，asshepinnedupherriding-skirtandsatdowninherusualseat。

"Shehasabadheadache，andislyingdown，"saidMrs。Winship，quietly；"she"llbeallrightinthemorning。"

"Headache!"ejaculatedfourorfivepeopleatonce，droppingtheirnapkinsandlookingateachotherindismay。

"I"llgoandrubherheadwithCologne，"saidMargery。

"Letmegoandsitwithher，"saidElsie。

"Haveyoubeenteasingher，Jack?"askedMrs。Howard。

"Toomuchbirthday?"askedDr。Paul。"Tellherwecansparealmostanybodyelsebetter。"

"Blessthechild，shewantsmeifsheissick。Goonwithyoursuppers，I"llseetoher，"andBellrosefromthetable。

"No，mydear，Iwantyoualltoleaveheraloneatpresent，"saidMrs。Winship，decidedly。"I"veputhertobedinDicky"splay-tent，andIwanthertobequiet。Ginhastakenhersomesupper，andsheneedsrest。"

PollyOliverinneedofrest!Whatanincomprehensiblestatement!

Nobodywassatisfied，buttherewasnothingmoretobesaid，thoughBellandPhilipexchangedglancesasmuchastosay，"Somethingiswrong。"

Supperended，andtheygatheredroundthecamp-fire，butnothingwasquiteasusual。Itwasallverywelltocrackjokes，butwherewasacertainmerrylaughthatwaswonttoringout，atthesmallestprovocation，insuchaninfectiouswaythateverybodyelsefollowedsuit?Andwhowasthere，whenPollyhadtheheadache，tomakeasaucyspeechandlookdownintothefireinnocently，whileherdimplesdideverythingthatwasrequiredinordertopointtheshaft?

AndpraywhatwastheuseofsingingwhentherewasnoaltotoBell"streble，orofgivingconundrums，sinceitwasalwaysPollywhothoughtofnonsensicalanswersbetterthantherealones?AndasforJack，why，itwasfollytoshootarrowsofwitintotheairwhentherewasnotarget。HesimplystretchedhimselfoutbesideElsie，whowasparticularlyquietandsnoozedpeacefully，withouttakinganypartintheconversation，avowinghisintentionto"turnin"early。

"Turnin"early，forsooth!Whatwasthematterwiththeboy?

"It"snouse，"saidBell，plaintively；"wecan"tbeanythingbuthappy，nowthatwehaveElsiehere；butitneedsonlyonesmallheadachetoshowthatPollyfillsalong-feltwantinthiscamp。Youthinkofherasamodestspokeinthewheeltillshedisappears，andthenyoufindshewasthehub。"

"Yes，"saidMargery，"Ithinkeveryoneroundthisfireissimplyangelic，unlessIexceptJack；butthefactisthatPollyis——well，sheis——Polly，andIdareanyonetocontradictme。"

"Thejudgmentofthecourtisconfirmed，"saidPhilip。

"Andthesharksaid，"IfyouDon"tbelieveitistrue，Justlookatmywisdomtooth!""

sangGeoffrey。

"Andifanyoneevertellsmeagainthatshehasredhairandhasn"tgoodfeatures，Ishouldjustliketoshowthemapictureofherasshewasto-dayatthedinner-table!"exclaimedBell。

"Asifanybodyneededfeatureswiththosedimples，"addedElsie，"orwouldmindredhairwhenitwassuchprettyhair!"

"IthinkareportofthisconversationwouldgofartowardscuringPolly，"saidDr。Winship，withasmile。

"Andyousaywecan"tgointherebeforewegotobed，mamacita?"

whisperedBellinhermother"sear，astheboyssaidgood-night——andwenttowardstheirtent。

"Mydear，"sheanswereddecidedly，withafondkissforeachofthegirls，"Pollyherselfaskedmetokeepeverybodyaway。"

Pollyherselfwantedtobealone!Wouldwondersnevercease?

MeanwhileDicky，whohaddisappearedforamoment，camebacktothefire，hisbosomheavingwithgriefandrage。

"Iwenttomyplay-tent，"hesobbed，"andputtedmyhandunderneaththecurtainandgavePollyapieceofmysuppercakeIsavedforher——

notthefrostedpart，buttheburntpartIcouldn"teat——andshelikeditandkissedmyhand——andthenIfoughtshewaslonesome，andwouldliketoseemylittlestfrog，andItoldhertoputoutherhandagainforas"prise，andIsqueezedhimintoittight，so"thewouldn"tjump——andshefoughtitwasmorecake，andwhenshefounditwasn"tshefrewmylittlestfrogclearaway，anditgotlosted!"

Thisbroughtahowlofmirthfromeverybody，andDickywasinstructed，whilebeingputtobed，nottosqueezelittlefrogsintopeople"shandsinthedark，asitsometimesaffectedthemunpleasantly。

AllthistimePollywaslyinginthetent，quiteexhaustedwithcrying，andmademorewretchedbyeverysoundofvoiceswaftedtowardsher。PresentlyGinappearedwithhernight-wrapperandvariousthingsforcomfortsentherbythegirls；andasshewearilyundressedherselfandpreparedforthenight，shefoundthreelittlemessagesofcomfortpinnedontheneckandsleevesofherflannelgown，writteninsuchcolossallettersthatshecouldeasilyreadthembythemoonlight。

Ontherightsleeve:-

Cheerup!"IwillneverdesertMr。Micawber!"BELL

Ontheleftsleeve:-

DarlingPolly，——Getwellsoon，orweshallallbesickinordertostaywithyou。Lovingly，MEG。

PS——JacksaidyouweretheLIFEOFTHECAMP!Whatdoyouthinkofthat??M。

Ontheneck:-

Dearest，——YouhavealwayscalledmetheFairyGodmother，andpretendedIcouldseethingsthatotherpeoplecouldn"t。

Theboys(greatstupids!)thinkyouhavetheheadache。Wegirlscanallseethatyouareintrouble，butonlytheFairyGodmotherKNOWS

WHY；andthoughshecan"tmakeabeautifulgoldcoachoutofthispumpkin，becausethere"ssomethingwrongaboutthepumpkin，yetshewilldoherbestforCinderella，andpullheroutoftheashessomehow。

ELSIE。

Polly"stearsfellfastonthedearlittlenotes，whichshekissedagainandagain，andtuckedunderherpillowtobringhersleep。

"Elsieknowssomething，"shethought，"buthow?sheknowsthatI"mintroubleandthatI"vedonewrong，orshewouldn"thavesaidthataboutnotbeingabletoturnabadpumpkinintoabeautifulgoldcoach；butperhapsshecangetAuntTruthtoforgivemeandtrymeagain。Unlessshecandoit，itwillnevercometopass，forI

haven"tthecouragetoaskher。Iwouldratherrunawayearlyinthemorningandgohomethanhaveherlookatmeagainasshedidto-day。

Oh!whatshallIdo?"andPollywentdownonherkneesbesidetheroughcouch，andsobbedherheartoutinachildishprayerforhelpandcomfort。Itwasjusttheprayerofalittlechildtellingasorrowfulstory；becauseitiswhenwearealoneandintroublethattheunknownandmysteriousGodseemstousmostlikeaFather，andwethrowourselvesintothearmsofHislovelikehelplesschildren，andtellHimoursecretthoughtsandgriefs。

"DearFatherinheaven，"shesobbed，"don"tforgivemeifIoughtnottobeforgiven，butpleasemakeAuntTruthfeelhowsorryIam，andshowmewhetherIoughttotellwhatmademesoangry，thoughit"snoexcuse。Blessandkeepmydarlingpatientlittlemother，andhelpmetogrowmorelikeher，andbraverandstrongertoo，sothatIcantakecareofhersoon，andsheneedn"tworkhardanylonger。PleaseforgivemeforhatingsomethingsinmylifeasmuchasIdo，andI

willtryandlikethembetter；butIthink——yes，Iknow——thatIamfullofwickedpride；andoh，itseemsasifIcouldnever，nevergetoverwantingtoliveinaprettyhouse，andwearprettydresses，andhavemymotherlivelikeBell"sandMargery"s。Andoh，ifThoucanstonlyforgivemeforhatingboarderssodreadfully，andbeingashamedofthemeveryminute，Iwilltryandlikethembetterandtelleverybodythatwetakethem——Iwillindeed；andifIcanonlyoncemakeAuntTruthloveandtrustmeagain，Iwillmaketheboarders"

bedsanddusttheirroomsforeverwithoutgrumbling。Please，dearFatherinheaven，rememberthatIhaven"tanyfathertolovemeortoteachmetobegood；andthoughmammadoesherbest，pleasehelphertomakesomethingoutofmeifitcanbedone。Amen。"

"Truth，"saidMrs。Howard，whenallwasquietaboutthecamp，"Elsiewantstoseeyouamomentbeforeshegoestosleep。Willyougotohertent，whileIplayagameofcribbagewithDr。Paul?"

Elsielookedlikeablossominallthebeautifulgreennessofhertent，withheryellowheadcomingoutfromabovethegreensandbrownsofthecretonnebed-coverforalltheworldlikeadaffodilpushingitswayupthroughthemouldtowardsthespringsunshine。

"AuntTruth，"shesaidsoftly，asMrs。Winshipsatdownbesideher，"yourememberthatDr。Paulhungmyhammockinanewplaceto-day，justbehindthegirls"sleeping-tent。NowIknowthatPollyisintrouble，andthatyouaredispleasedwithher。WhatIwanttoask，ifImay，is，howmuchyouknow；forIoverheardagreatdealmyself——

enoughtofeelthatPollydeservesahearing。"

"Ioverheardnothing，"repliedMrs。Winship。"AllthatIknowPollyherselfconfessedinLaura"spresence。PollytoldLaura，justasshewasgoingaway，thateverybodywouldbegladtoseethelastofher，andthatshehadmadeeverybodymiserablefromthebeginningofhervisit。Itwasquiteinexcusable，youknow，dear，foroneofmygueststowaylayanother，justasshewasleaving，andmakesuchacruelspeech。Iwouldratheranythingelsehadhappened。IknowhowimpetuousPollyis，andIcanforgivethechildalmostanything，herheartissofullofloveandgenerosity；butIcannotoverlooksuchabreachofproprietyasthat。OfcourseIhaveseenthatLauraisnotafavouritewithanyofyou。Iconfesssheisnotaverylovableperson，andIthinkshehasledaveryunwholesomelifelatelyandissadlyspoiledbyit；stillthatisnoexcuseforPolly"sconduct。"

"No，ofcourseitisn"t，"sighedElsie，withalittlequiverofthelip。"IthoughtIcouldpleadabettercaseforPolly，butIseeexactlyhowthoughtlessandimpoliteshewas；yet，ifyoukneweverything，auntie，dear，youwouldfeelalittledifferent。DoyouthinkitwasniceofLauratorepeatwhatPollysaidrightbeforeher，andjustasshewasgoingaway，whensheknewitwouldmakeyouuncomfortableandthatyouwerenottoblameforit?"

"No，hardly。Itdidn"tshowmuchtact；butgirlsoffifteenorsixteenarenotalwaysremarkableforsocialtact。Iexcusedherpartlybecauseshewashalf-sickandnervous。"

"Well，"Elsiewenton，"Ididn"thearthewholequarrel，sothatIdonotknowhowlongitlastednorwhobeganit。Ican"thelpthinkingitwasLaura，though，forshe"sbeentryingherbesttoprovokePollyforthelastfortnight，anduntilto-dayshehasneverreallysucceeded。Iwashalfasleep，andheardatfirstonlythefaintmurmurofvoices，butwhenIwasfullyawake，LaurawastellingPollythatshedotedonyousimplybecauseyouhadmoneyandposition，whileshehadnot；thatyouwereallsopartialtoherthatshehadlostsightofherowndeficiencies。Thenshecalledherboldandaffected，andIdon"tknowwhatelse，andfinallywoundupbysayingthatnobodybuttheWinshipswouldbelikelytomakeapetofthedaughterofaboarding-housekeeper。"

"Elsie!"ejaculatedMrs。Winship；"thisgrowsworseandworse!IsitpossiblethatLauraBurtoncouldbeguiltyofsuchathought?"

"Ican"tbemistaken。Iwastooexcitednottohearveryclearly；

andthemomentthewordswerespokenIknewmypoordear"sfierytemperwouldneverendurethat。Anditdidn"t；itblazedoutinasecond，butitdidn"tlastlong，forbeforeIcouldgettothetentshehadstoppedherselfrightinthemiddleofasentence；andinanotherminuteIheardyourvoice，andcreptbacktothehammock，thinkingthateverythingwouldbesettledbyLaura"sgoingaway。I"dnoideathatshewouldpounceonPollyandgetherindisgrace，theverylastthing，whensheknewthatshewasresponsibleforthewholematter。Yousee，auntie，that，impoliteasPollywas，sheonlytoldLaurathatwegirlsweregladshewasgoing。Shedidn"tbringyouin，afterall；andLauraknewperfectlywellthatshewasawelcomevisitor，andwealltreatedherwiththegreatestpoliteness，thoughit"snousetosaywelikedhermuch。"

"Iamverysorryforthewholeaffair，"sighedMrs。Winship，"thereissomuchwrongonbothsides。Laura"sremark，itistrue，wouldhaveangeredalmostanybodywhowasnotoldandwiseenoughtoseethatitdeservedonlycontempt；butboththegirlsshouldhavehadtoomuchrespectforthemselvesandformetodescendtosuchanunladylikequarrel。However，IamonlytoogladtohearanythingwhichmakesPolly"sfaultless，forIlovehertoodearlynottosufferwhenIhavetobeseverewithher。"

"Shewouldn"taskyoutooverlookherfault，"continuedElsie，withtearsinhereyes。"Iknowjusthowwretchedandpenitentshemustbe——Pollyisalwayssofierceagainstherownfaults——butwhatmustbemakinghersuffermostisthethoughtthatshehasentirelylostyourconfidenceandgoodopinion。Oh，Ican"thelpthinkingthatGodfeelssorrierthisveryminuteforPolly，whofightsandfightsagainsthertemper，likeadearsunbeamtryingtoshineagainandagainwhenacloudkeepscoveringitup，thanHedoesforLaura，whohaseverythingmadesmoothforher，andwhoisunhappywhenherfeathersareruffledtheleastbit。"

"Youareright，dear，insofarthatafierylittlesoullikePolly"scan，ifitfindstherightchannels，doGod"sworkintheworldbetterthanacharacterlikeLaura"s，whichisnotcourageous，norstrong，norsweetenoughforgreatservice，unlessitgrowsintobetterthingsthroughbitterorrichexperiences。Now，good-night，myblessedlittlepeacemaker；sleepsweetly，forIamgoingintoPolly"stenttohaveagoodtalkwithher。"

AsMrs。WinshipdroppedthecurtainsofElsie"stentbehindher，andmadeherwayquietlythroughthetrees，thetinklingsoundofabanjofelluponthestillnightair；andpresently，asshenearedPolly"sretreat，thisfacetiousserenade，sungbyJack"swell-knownvoice，waswaftedtoherears:

"Prithee，PollyOliver，whybideyesostill?

PrettyPollyOliver，wefearyouareill。

I"msinging"neaththywindow，whennightdewsarechill，For，prettyPollyOliver，wehearyouareill。"

ShewasabouttodespatchMasterJacktohistentwitharoundscolding，whenthelastwordsofthesongwerefrozenonhislipsbythesoundofasmotheredsob，inplaceofthesaucyretorthehopedtoprovoke。Theunexpectedsobfrightenedhimmorethananyfusiladeofhotwords，andhestoleawayinthedarknessmorecrestfallenthanhehadbeenformanyayear。

Mrs。Winship，moretroubledthanever，pulledapartthecanvascurtains，andstoodintheopening，silently。Thesightoftheforlornlittlefigure，huddledtogetheronthestrawbed，touchedherheart，and，whenPollystartedupwithaneloquentcryandflewintoherextendedarms，shegrantedwillingforgiveness，andthehistoryoftheafternoonwassobbedoutuponhermotherlyshoulder。

ThenextmorningMrs。WinshipannouncedthatPollywasbetter，sentbreakfasttohertent，andbyskilfulgeneralshipdroveeverybodyawayfromthecampbutElsie，whobroughtPollytothesitting-room，madehercomfortableonthelounge，and，administeringmuchgoodadvicetoMargeryandBellconcerningtopicstobeavoided，admittedthemonebyoneintoherpresence，sothatshegraduallyregainedherself-control。Andatthedinner-tableaverypalePollywaspresentagain，withsuchawhitefaceandheavyeyesthatnoonecoulddoubttherehadbeenaheadache，whiletwopeople，atleast，knewthattherehadbeenaheartacheaswell。Thenextday"smailcarriedthefollowinglettertoLauraBurton:

CAMPCHAPARRAL，August16，188。

MydearLaura，——AsItoldyouwhenyouwereleaving，IcannotwellsayhowsorryIamthatanythingshouldhaveoccurredtomaryourpleasantremembranceofyourstaywithus。Thatyourdearmother"sdaughtershouldhavebeentreatedwithdiscourtesywhileshewasmyguestwasverydisagreeabletome；butIhavelearnedthatyouwereyourselfsomewhattoblameintheaffair，andthereforeyoushouldhavebornetheharshtreatmentyoureceivedwithconsiderablepatience，andperhapshavekeptitquitetoyourself。("Thatlittlecattoldher，afterall，"saidLaura，whenshereadthis。"Ididn"tthinkshewasthatkind。")Pollywouldneverhaveconfessedthecauseofthequarrel，becausesheknewnothingcouldjustifyherlanguage；butElsiewaslyinginthehammockbehindthetentandoverheardtheremarkwhichsorousedPolly"sanger。Youwerenotaware，ofcourse，howsoreaspotyoutouchedupon，oryoucouldneverhavespokenasyoudid，thoughIwellknowthatyouwerebothtooangrytoreflect。Pollyisapeculiarlyproudandhigh-spiritedgirl——proud，Iconfess，toafault；butshecomes，onhermother"sside，fromalonglineofpeoplewhohavehadmuchtobeproudofinthewayofunblemishedhonesty，nobility，fineattainments，andsplendidachievements。Ofherfather"shonourableservicestohiscountry，andhissadanduntimelydeath，youmayhaveheard；butyoumaynotknowthatMrs。Oliver"smisfortuneshavebeenverymanyandverybitter，andthattheonlypossibilityofsupportingandeducatingPollyliesatpresentinhertakingboarders，forherhealthwillnotadmitjustnowofherlivinganywheresaveinSouthernCalifornia。Ifailtoseewhythisisnotthoroughlypraiseworthyandrespectable；butifyoudonotconsideritquiteanelegantoccupation，IcanonlysaythatMrs。Oliverpresidesoverthetableatwhichher"boarders"sitwithahigh-breddignityandgraceofmannerthatthehighestladyinthelandmightimitate；andthat，whenhealthandcircumstancespermithertodiminishthedistancebetweenherselfandthegreatworld，sheandherdaughterPolly，byreasonoftheirbirthandtheirculture，willfinddoorsswingingwidetoadmitthemwhereyouandIwouldfinditdifficulttoenter。

Pollyapologisessincerelyforherrudeness，andwillwriteyoutothateffect，asofcourseshedoesnotknowofthisletter。

Sincerelyyourfriend，TRUTHWINSHIP。

CHAPTERIX:ROUNDTHECAMP-FIRE

"Thetimebeforethefiretheysat，Andshortenedthedelaybypleasingchat。"

TheAugustdayshadslippedawayoneafteranother，andSeptemberwasathand。Therewasnoperceptiblechangeofweathertomarktheadventofthenewmonth。Thehillswerealittlebrowner，thedustalittledeeper，thefleasalittlenimbler，andthewaterinthebrookatriflelower，butotherwiseDameNaturedidnotconcernherselfwiththechangeofseasons，inasmuchasshehadnoolddressestogetridof，andnonewonestoputonforalongtimeyet；indeed，sheisneververyfashionableinthislocality，andwearsverymuchthesamegarmentsthroughouttheyear。

Elsieseemedalmostasstrongasanyoftheothergirlsnow，andcouldenterwithzestintoalltheiramusements。Theappetiteofayoungbear，thesound，dreamlesssleepofababy，andtheconstantbreathinginofthepure，life-givingairhadmadeheranewcreature。Mrs。HowardandJackfelt，daybyday，thataburdenofdreadwasbeingliftedfromtheirhearts；andMrs。Howardespeciallyfeltthatshelovedeveryrockandtreeinthecanyon。

Itwasacharmingmorning，andPollywasseatedatthedining-roomtable，deepinthepreparationofalessoninreadingandpronunciationforHopYet。Herforeheadwascreasedwithmanywrinklesofthought，andshebittheendofherlead-pencilasifshewereengagedinsolvingsomedifficultproblem；but，ifthatwereso，whydidthedimpleschaseeachotherinandoutofhercheeksinsuchasuspiciousfashion?Shewasaverygentle，averysedatePolly，theselatterdays，andnotonlyastonishedherfriends，butsurprisedherself，byhergoodbehaviour，herelegantreserveofmanner，herpatiencewithJack，andherabjectdevotiontoDicky。

"I"mafraiditwon"tlast，"shesighedtoherselfoccasionally。"I"malmosttoogood。That"salwaysthewaywithme——Imusteitherbesobadthateverybodyisdiscouraged，orelsesogoodthatIfrightenthem。NowIcatchBellandElsieexchangingglanceseveryday，asmuchastosay，"PoorPolly，shewillneverholdoutatthisrate；doyounoticethatnothingrufflesher——thatsheissimplyangelic?"AsifIcouldn"tbeangelicforafortnight!WhyIhaveoftendoneitforfourweeksatastretch!"

MargerywasinthehabitofgivingHopYetanEnglishlessoneveryotherday，ashehadbeenveryloathtoleavehiseveningschoolinSantaBarbaraandburyhimselfinacanyon，awayfromalleducationalinfluences；butshehaddesertedherpostforonceandgonetoridewithElsie，sothatPollyhadtakenherplaceandwasevolvinganexercisethatHopYetwouldremembertothelatestdayofhislife。

Itlookedsimpleenough:-

1。Thegrassisdry。

2。Thefruitisripe。

3:Thechaparralisgreen。

4。Thenewroadisallright。

5。Thebay-"rum"treeisfreshandpretty。

ButasnoChinamancanpronouncetheletter"r，"itwaslaboriouslyrenderedthus，whentheunhappytimeofthelessoncame:

1。The-glass-is-dly。

2。The-fluit-is-lipe。

3。The-chap-lal-is-gleen。