第2章
Pollydiscreetlyfellbehind，andamusedherselflookingintoshop-windows，tillFanny，mindfulofhermanners，evenatsuchaninterestingtime，tookherintoapicturegallery，andbadeherenjoytheworksofartwhiletheyrested。ObedientPollywentthroughtheroomseveraltimes，apparentlyexaminingthepictureswiththeinterestofaconnoisseur，andtryingnottohearthemildprattleofthepairontheroundseat。Butshecouldn"thelpwonderingwhatFanfoundsoabsorbinginanaccountofarecentGerman，andwhysheneedpromisesosolemnlynottoforgettheconcertthatafternoon。
WhenFannyroseatlast，Polly"stiredfacereproachedher；andtakingahastyleaveofthesmallgentleman，sheturnedhomeward，saying，confidentially，assheputonehandinPolly"smuff，"Now，mydear，youmustn"tsayawordaboutFrankMoore，orpapawilltakemyheadoff。Idon"tcareabitforhim，andhelikesTrix；onlytheyhavequarrelled，andhewantstomakehermadbyflirtingalittlewithme。Iscoldedhimwell，andhepromisedtomakeupwithher。Weallgototheafternoonconcerts，andhaveagaytime，andBelleandTrixaretobethereto-day；sojustkeepquiet，andeverythingwillbeallright。"
"I"mafraiditwon"t，"beganPolly，who，notbeingusedtosecrets，founditveryhardtokeepevenasmallone。
"Don"tworry，child。It"snoneofourbusiness；sowecangoandenjoythemusic，andifotherpeopleflirt，itwon"tbeourfault，"saidFanny，impatiently。
"Ofcoursenot；but，then，ifyourfatherdon"tlikeyoutodoso，oughtyoutogo？"
"Itellmamma，andshedon"tcare。Papaisfussy，andgrandmamakesastirabouteveryblessedthingIdo。Youwillholdyourtongue，won"tyou？"
"Yes；Itrulywill；Inevertelltales。"AndPollykeptherword，feelingsureFandidn"tmeantodeceiveherfather，sinceshetoldhermothereverything。
"Whoareyougoingwith？"askedMrs。Shaw，whenFannymentionedthatitwasconcert-day，justbeforethreeo"clock。
"OnlyPolly；shelikesmusic，anditwassostormyIcouldn"tgolastweek，youknow，"answeredFan；adding，astheyleftthehouseagain，"Ifanyonemeetsusontheway，Ican"thelpit，canI？"
"Youcantellthemnotto，can"tyou？"
"That"srude。Dearme!here"sBelle"sbrotherGus；healwaysgoes。Ismyhairallright，andmyhat？
BeforePollycouldanswer，Mr。Gusjoinedthemasamatterofcourse，andPollysoonfoundherselftrottingonbehind，feelingthatthingswerenot"allright，"thoughshedidn"tknowhowtomendthem。Beingfondofmusic，sheignorantlysupposedthateveryoneelsewentforthatalone，andwasmuchdisturbedbythewhisperingthatwentonamongtheyoungpeopleroundher。BelleandTrixwerethereinfulldress；and，inthepausesbetweendifferentpieces，Messrs。FrankandGus，withseveralother"splendidfellows，"regaledtheyoungladieswithcollegegossip，andbitsofnewsfullofinterest，tojudgefromthecloseattentionpaidtotheireloquentremarks。Pollyregardedthesenoblebeingswithawe，andtheyrecognizedherexistencewiththecondescensionoftheirsex；buttheyevidentlyconsideredheronly"aquietlittlething，"andfindinghernotuptosocietytalk，blandlyignoredtheprettychild，anddevotedthemselvestotheyoungladies。
FortunatelyforPolly，sheforgotallabouttheminherenjoymentofthefinemusic，whichshefeltratherthanunderstood，andsatlisteningwithsuchahappyface，thatseveraltruemusic-loverswatchedhersmilingly，forherheartgaveablithewelcometothemelodywhichputthelittleinstrumentintune。Itwasduskwhentheywentout，andPollywasmuchrelievedtofindthecarriagewaitingforthem，becauseplayingthirdfiddlewasnottohertaste，andshehadhadenoughofitforoneday。
"I"mgladthosemenaregone；theydidworrymesotalking，whenI
wantedtohear，"saidPolly，astheyrolledaway。
"Whichdidyoulikebest？"askedFanny，withalanguidairofsuperiority。
"Theplainone，whodidn"tsaymuch；hepickedupmymuffwhenittumbleddown，andtookcareofmeinthecrowd；theothersdidn"tmindanythingaboutme。"
"Theythoughtyouwerealittlegirl，Isuppose。"
"Mymothersaysarealgentlemanisaspolitetoalittlegirlastoawoman；soIlikeMr。Sydneybest，becausehewaskindtome。"
"Whatasharpchildyouare，Polly。Ishouldn"thavethoughtyou"dmindthingslikethat，"saidFanny，beginningtounderstandthattheremaybeagooddealofwomanlinesseveninalittlegirl。
"I"musedtogoodmanners，thoughIdoliveinthecountry，"repliedPolly，ratherwarmly，forshedidn"tliketobepatronizedevenbyherfriends。
"Grandmasaysyourmotherisaperfectlady，andyouarejustlikeher；
sodon"tgetinapassionwiththosepoorfellows，andI"llseethattheybehavebetternexttime。Tomhasnomannersatall，andyoudon"tcomplainofhim，"addedFan，withalaugh。
"Idon"tcareifhehasn"t；he"saboy，andactslikeone，andIcangetonwithhimagreatdealbetterthanIcanwiththosemen。"
FannywasjustgoingtotakePollytotaskforsaying"thosemen"insuchadisrespectfultone，whenbothwerestartledbyasmothered"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"
fromundertheoppositeseat。
"It"sTom!"criedFanny；andwiththewordsouttumbledthatincorrigibleboy，redintheface，andbreathlesswithsuppressedlaughter。Seatinghimself，hesurveyedthegirlsasifwellsatisfiedwiththesuccessofhisprank，andwaitingtobecongratulateduponit。"Didyouhearwhatweweresaying？"demandedFanny，uneasily。
"Oh，didn"tI，everyword？"AndTomexultedoverthemvisibly。
"Didyoueverseesuchaprovokingtoad，Polly？Now，Isupposeyou"llgoandtellpapaagreatstory。"
"P"r"apsIshall，andp"r"apsIshan"t。HowPollydidhopwhenIcrowed!
Iheardhersqueal，andsawhercuddleupherfeet。"
"Andyouhearduspraiseyourmanners，didn"tyou？"askedPolly，slyly。
"Yes，andyouliked"em；soIwon"ttellonyou，"saidTom，withare-assuringnod。
"There"snothingtotell。"
"Ain"tthere，though？Whatdoyousupposethegovernorwillsaytoyougirlsgoingonsowiththosedandies？Isawyou。"
"WhathastheGovernorofMassachusettstodowithus？"askedPolly，tryingtolookasifshemeantwhatshesaid。
"Pooh!youknowwhoImean；soyouneedn"ttrytocatchmeup，asgrandmadoes。"
"Tom，I"llmakeabargainwithyou，"criedFanny，eagerly。"Itwasn"tmyfaultthatGusandFrankwerethere，andIcouldn"thelptheirspeakingtome。IdoaswellasIcan，andpapaneedn"tbeangry；forIbehaveeversomuchbetterthansomeofthegirls。Don"tI，Polly？"
"Bargain？"observedTom，withaneyetobusiness。
"Ifyouwon"tgoandmakeafuss，tellingwhatyou"dnorighttohear；itwassomeantohideandlisten；Ishouldthinkyou"dbeashamedofit!；I
"llhelpyouteaseforyourvelocipede，andwon"tsayawordagainstit，whenmammaandgrannybegpapanottoletyouhaveit。"
"Willyou？"andTompausedtoconsidertheofferinallitsbearings。
"Yes，andPollywillhelp；won"tyou？"
"I"drathernothaveanythingtodowithit；butI"llbequiet，andnotdoanyharm。"
"Whywon"tyou？"askedTom，curiously。
"Becauseitseemslikedeceiving。"
"Well，papaneedn"tbesofussy，"saidFan，petulantly。
"AfterhearingaboutthatCarrie，andtherest，Idon"twonderheisfussy。Whydon"tyoutellrightout，andnotdoitanymore，ifhedon"twantyouto？"saidPolly，persuasively。
"Doyougoandtellyourfatherandmothereverythingrightout？"
"Yes，Ido；anditsaveseversomuchtrouble。"
"Ain"tyouafraidofthem？"
"OfcourseI"mnot。It"shardtotellsometimes；butit"ssocomfortablewhenit"sover。"
"Let"s!"wasTom"sbriefadvice。
"Mercyme!whatafussaboutnothing!"saidFanny，readytocrywithvexation。
"Tisn"tnothing。Youknowyouareforbiddentogogallivantingroundwiththosechaps，andthat"sthereasonyou"reinapuckernow。Iwon"tmakeanybargain，andIwilltell，"returnedTom，seizedwithasuddenfitofmoralfirmness。
"WillyouifIpromisenever，nevertodosoanymore？"askedFanny，meekly；forwhenThomastookmattersintohisownhands，hissisterusuallysubmittedinspiteofherself。
"I"llthinkaboutit；andifyoubehave，maybeIwon"tdoitatall。
Icanwatchyoubetterthanpapacan；so，ifyoutryitagain，it"sallupwithyou，miss，"saidTom，findingitimpossibletoresistthepleasureoftyrannizingalittlewhenhegotthechance。
"Shewon"t；don"tplagueheranymore，andshewillbegoodtoyouwhenyougetintoscrapes，"answeredPolly，withherarmroundFan。
"Ineverdo；andifIdid，Ishouldn"taskagirltohelpmeout。"
"Whynot？I"daskyouinaminute，ifIwasintrouble，"saidPolly，inherconfidingway。
"Wouldyou？Well，I"dputyouthrough，assureasmyname"sTomShaw。
Now，then，don"tslip，Polly，"andMr。Thomashelpedthemoutwithunusualpoliteness，forthatfriendlylittlespeechgratifiedhim。Hefeltthatonepersonappreciatedhim；andithadagoodeffectuponmannersandtempermaderoughandbelligerentbyconstantsnubbingandopposition。
Afterteathatevening，FannyproposedthatPollyshouldshowherhowtomakemolassescandy，asitwascook"sholiday，andthecoastwouldbeclear。Hopingtopropitiatehertormentor，FaninvitedTomtojoinintherevel，andPollybeggedthatMaudmightsitupandseethefun；soallfourdescendedtothebigkitchen，armedwithaprons，hammers，spoons，andpans，andPollyassumedcommandoftheforces。Tomwassettocrackingnuts，andMaudtopickingoutthemeats，forthecandywastobe"tip-top。"
FanwaitedonPollycook，whohoveredoverthekettleofboilingmolassestillherfacewasthecolorofapeony。"Now，putinthenuts，"shesaidatlast；andTomemptiedhisplateintothefoamysyrup，whiletheotherswatchedwithdeepinterestthemysteriousconcoctionofthiswell-belovedsweetmeat。"Ipouritintothebutteredpan，yousee，anditcools，andthenwecaneatit，"explainedPolly，suitingtheactiontotheword。
"Why，it"sallfullofshells!"exclaimedMaud，peeringintothepan。
"Oh，thunder!Imusthaveput"eminbymistake，andateupthemeatswithoutthinking，"saidTom，tryingtoconcealhisnaughtysatisfaction，asthegirlshungoverthepanwithfacesfullofdisappointmentanddespair。
"Youdiditonpurpose，youhorridboy!I"llneverletyouhaveanythingtodowithmyfunagain!"criedFan，inapassion，tryingtocatchandshakehim，whilehedodgedandchuckledinhighglee。
Maudbegantowailoverherlostdelight，andPollygravelypokedatthemess，whichwasquitespoilt。Butherattentionwasspeedilydivertedbythesquabblegoingoninthecorner；forFanny，forgetfulofheryoung-ladyismandhersixteenyears，hadboxedTom"sears，andTom，resentingtheinsult，hadforciblyseatedherinthecoal-hod，whereheheldherwithonehandwhilehereturnedthecomplimentwiththeother。Bothwereveryangry，andkepttwittingoneanotherwitheveryaggravationtheycouldinvent，astheyscoldedandscuffled，presentingamostunlovelyspectacle。
Pollywasnotamodelgirlbyanymeans，andhadherlittlepetsandtempersliketherestofus；butshedidn"tfight，scream，andsquabblewithherbrothersandsistersinthisdisgracefulway，andwasmuchsurprisedtoseeherelegantfriendinsuchapassion。"Oh，don"t!Please，don"t!
You"llhurther，Tom!Lethimgo，Fanny!It"snomatteraboutthecandy；
wecanmakesomemore!"criedPolly，tryingtopartthem，andlookingsodistressed，thattheystoppedashamed，andinaminutesorrythatsheshouldseesuchadisplayoftemper。
"Iain"tgoingtobehustledround；soyou"dbetterletmealone，Fan，"
saidTom，drawingoffwithathreateningwagofthehead，adding，inadifferenttone，"Ionlyputtheshellsinforfun，Polly。Youcookanotherkettleful，andI"llpickyousomemeatsallfair。Willyou？"
"It"sprettyhotwork，andit"sapitytowastethings；butI"lltryagain，ifyouwantmeto，"saidPolly，withapatientsigh，forherarmsweretiredandherfaceuncomfortablyhot。
"Wedon"twantyou；getaway!"saidMaud，shakingastickyspoonathim。
"Keepquiet，cry-baby。I"mgoingtostayandhelp；mayn"tI，Polly？"
"Bearslikesweetthings，soyouwantsomecandy，Iguess。Whereisthemolasses？We"veusedupalltherewasinthejug，"saidPolly，good-naturedly，beginningagain。
"Downcellar；I"llgetit；"andtakingthelampandjug，Tomdeparted，bentondoinghisdutynowlikeasaint。
Themomenthislightvanished，Fannyboltedthedoor，saying，spitefully，"Now，wearesafefromanymoretricks。Lethimthumpandcall，itonlyserveshimright；andwhenthecandyisdone，we"lllettherascalout。"
"Howcanwemakeitwithoutmolasses？"askedPolly，thinkingthatwouldsettlethematter。
"There"splentyinthestore-room。No；youshan"tlethimuptillI
"mready。He"sgottolearnthatI"mnottobeshakenbyalittlechitlikehim。Makeyourcandy，andlethimalone，orI"llgoandtellpapa，andthenTomwillgetalecture。"
Pollythoughtitwasn"tfair；butMaudclamoredforhercandy，andfindingshecoulddonothingtoappeaseFan，Pollydevotedhermindtohercookerytillthenutsweresafelyin，andanicepanfulsetintheyardtocool。Afewbangsatthelockeddoor，afewthreatsofvengeancefromtheprisoner，suchassettingthehouseonfire，drinkingupthewine，andmashingthejelly-pots，andthenallwassoquietthatthegirlsforgothimintheexcitingcrisisoftheirwork。
"Hecan"tpossiblygetoutanywhere，andassoonwe"vecutupthecandy，we"llunboltthedoorandrun。Comeandgetanicedishtoputitin，"
saidFan，whenPollyproposedtogohalveswithTom，lestheshouldcomeburstinginsomehow，andseizethewhole。
Whentheycamedownwiththedishinwhichtosetforththeirtreat，andopenedtheback-doortofindit，imaginetheirdismayondiscoveringthatitwasgone，；pan，candy，andall，；utterlyandmysteriouslygone!
Agenerallamentarose，whenacarefulrummageleftnohopes；forthefateshadevidentlydecreedatcandywasnottoprosperonthisunpropitiousnight。
"Thehotpanhasmeltedandsunkinthesnowperhaps，"saidFanny，diggingintothedriftwhereitwasleft。
"Thoseoldcatshavegotit，Iguess，"suggestedMaud，toomuchoverwhelmedbythissecondblowtohowlasusual。
"Thegateisn"tlocked，andsomebeggarhasstolenit。Ihopeitwilldohimgood，"addedPolly，turningfromherexploringexpedition。
"IfTomcouldgetout，Ishouldthinkhe"dcarrieditoff；butnotbeingarat，hecan"tgothroughthebitsofwindows；soitwasn"thim，"saidFanny，disconsolately，forshebegantothinkthisdoublelossapunishmentforlettingangrypassionsrise，"Let"sopenthedoorandtellhimaboutit，"proposedPolly。
"He"llcrowoverus。No；we"llopenitandgotobed，andhecancomeoutwhenhelikes。Provokingboy!ifhehadn"tplaguedusso，weshouldhavehadanicetime。"
Unboltingthecellardoor，thegirlsannouncedtotheinvisiblecaptivethattheywerethrough，andthendepartedmuchdepressed。Half-wayupthesecondflight，theyallstoppedassuddenlyasiftheyhadseenaghost；
forlookingoverthebanisterswasTom"sface，crockybuttriumphant，andineitherhandajunkofcandy，whichhewavedabovethemashevanished，withthetantalizingremark，"Don"tyouwishyouhadsome？"
"Howintheworlddidhegetout？"criedFanny，steadyingherselfafterastartthatnearlysentallthreetumblingdownstairs。
"Coal-hole!"answeredaspectralvoicefromthegloomabove。
"Goodgracious!Hemusthavepokedupthecover，climbedintothestreet，stolethecandy，andsneakedinattheshed-windowwhilewewerelookingforit。"
"Catsgotit，didn"tthey？"jeeredthevoiceinatonethatmadePollysitdownandlaughtillshecouldn"tlaughanylonger。
"JustgiveMaudabit，she"ssodisappointed。FanandIaresickofit，andsowillyoube，ifyoueatitall，"calledPolly，whenshegotherbreath。
"Gotobed，Maudie，andlookunderyourpillowwhenyougetthere，"
wastheoracularreplythatcamedowntothem，asTom"sdoorclosedafterajubilantsoloonthetinpan。
Thegirlswenttobedtiredout；andMaudslumberedplacidly，huggingthestickybundle，foundwheremolassescandyisnotoftendiscovered。
Pollywasverytired，andsoonfellasleep；butFanny，whosleptwithher，layawakelongerthanusual，thinkingabouthertroubles，forherheadached，andthedissatisfactionthatfollowsangerwouldnotletherrestwiththetranquillitythatmadetherosyfaceinthelittleroundnightcapsuchapleasantsighttoseeasitlaybesideher。Thegaswasturneddown，butFannysawafigureinagraywrappercreepbyherdoor，andpresentlyreturn，pausingtolookin。"Whoisit？"shecried，soloudthatPollywoke。
"Onlyme，dear，"answeredgrandma"smildvoice。"PoorTomhasgotadreadfultoothache，andIcamedowntofindsomecreosoteforhim。Hetoldmenottotellyou；butIcan"tfindthebottle，anddon"twanttodisturbmamma。"
"It"sinmycloset。OldTomwillpayforhistrickthistime，"saidFanny，inasatisfiedtone。
"Ithoughthe"dgetenoughofourcandy，"laughedPolly；andthentheyfellasleep，leavingTomtothedelightsoftoothacheandthetendermerciesofkindoldgrandma。ChapterIII。ChapterIII。CHAPTERIIIPOLLY"STROUBLESPOLLYsoonfoundthatshewasinanewworld，aworldwherethemannersandcustomsweresodifferentfromthesimplewaysathome，thatshefeltlikeastrangerinastrangeland，andoftenwishedthatshehadnotcome。
Inthefirstplace，shehadnothingtodobutloungeandgossip，readnovels，paradethestreets，anddress；andbeforeaweekwasgone，shewasasheartilysickofallthis，asahealthypersonwouldbewhoattemptedtoliveonconfectionery。Fannylikedit，becauseshewasusedtoit，andhadneverknownanythingbetter；butPollyhad，andoftenfeltlikealittlewood-birdshutupinagildedcage。Nevertheless，shewasmuchimpressedbytheluxuriesallabouther，enjoyedthem，wishedsheownedthem，andwonderedwhytheShawswerenotahappierfamily。Shewasnotwiseenoughtoknowwherethetroublelay；shedidnotattempttosaywhichofthetwoliveswastherightone；sheonlyknewwhichshelikedbest，andsupposeditwasmerelyanotherofher"old-fashioned"ways。
Fanny"sfriendsdidnotinteresthermuch；shewasratherafraidofthem，theyseemedsomucholderandwiserthanherself，eventhoseyoungerinyears。TheytalkedaboutthingsofwhichsheknewnothingandwhenFannytriedtoexplain，shedidn"tfindtheminteresting；indeed，someofthemrathershockedandpuzzledher；sothegirlsletheralone，beingcivilwhentheymet，butevidentlyfeelingthatshewastoo"odd"tobelongtotheirset。ThensheturnedtoMaudforcompanionship，forherownlittlesisterwasexcellentcompany，andPollylovedherdearly。ButMissMaudwasmuchabsorbedinherownaffairs，forshebelongedtoa"set"also；
andthesemitesoffiveandsixhadtheir"musicals，"theirparties，receptions，andpromenades，aswellastheirelders；and，thechiefideaoftheirlittlelivesseemedtobetoapethefashionablefolliestheyshouldhavebeentooinnocenttounderstand。Maudhadhertinycard-case，andpaidcalls，"likemammaandFan"；herboxofdaintygloves，herjewel-drawer，hercrimping-pins，asfineandfancifulawardrobeasaParisdoll，andaFrenchmaidtodressher。Pollycouldn"tgetonwithheratfirst，forMauddidn"tseemlikeachild，andoftencorrectedPollyinherconversationandmanners，thoughlittlemademoiselle"sownwereanythingbutperfect。Nowandthen，whenMaudfeltpoorly，orhada"fwactious"turn，forshehad"nerves"aswellasmamma，shewouldgotoPollyto"beamoosed，"forhergentlewaysandkindforbearancesoothedthelittlefineladybetterthananythingelse。
Pollyenjoyedthesetimes，andtoldstories，playedgames，orwentoutwalking，justasMaudliked，slowlyandsurelywinningthechild"sheart，andrelievingthewholehouseoftheyoungtyrantwhoruledit。
TomsoongotoverstaringatPolly，andatfirstdidnottakemuchnoticeofher，for，inhisopinion，"girlsdidn"tamounttomuch，anyway"；and，considering，thestyleofgirlheknewmostabout，Pollyquiteagreedwithhim。Heoccasionallyrefreshedhimselfbyteasingher，toseehowshe"dstandit，andcausedPollymuchanguishofspirit，forsheneverknewwherehewouldtakehernext。Hebouncedoutatherfrombehinddoors，booedatherindarkentries，clutchedherfeetasshewentupstairs，startledherbyshrillwhistlesrightinherear，orsuddentweaksofthehairashepassedherinthestreet；andassureastherewascompanytodinner，hefixedhisroundeyesonher，andnevertookthemofftillshewasreducedtoapiteousstateofconfusionanddistress。Sheusedtobeghimnottoplagueher；buthesaidhediditforhergood；shewastooshy，andneededtougheningliketheothergirls。Invainsheprotestedthatshedidn"twanttobeliketheothergirlsinthatrespect；heonlylaughedinherface，stuckhisredhairstraightupalloverhishead，andglaredather，tillshefledindismay。
YetPollyratherlikedTom，forshesoonsawthathewasneglected，hustledoutoftheway，andlefttogetonprettymuchbyhimself。Sheoftenwonderedwhyhismotherdidn"tpethimasshedidthegirls；whyhisfatherorderedhimaboutasifhewasabornrebel，andtooksolittleinterestinhisonlyson。Fannyconsideredhimabear，andwasashamedofhim；butnevertriedtopolishhimupabit；andMaudandhelivedtogetherlikeacatanddogwhodidnotbelongtoa"happyfamily。"GrandmawastheonlyonewhostoodbypooroldTom；andPollymorethanoncediscoveredhimdoingsomethingkindforMadam，andseemingverymuchashamedwhenitwasfoundout。Hewasn"trespectfulatall；hecalledher"theoldlady，"andtoldherhe"wouldn"tbefussedover"；butwhenanythingwasthematter，healwayswentto"theoldlady，"andwasverygratefulforthe"fussing。"Pollylikedhimforthis，andoftenwantedtospeakofit；
butshehadafeelingthatitwouldn"tdo，forinpraisingtheiraffection，shewasreproachingotherswithneglect；sosheheldhertongue，andthoughtaboutitallthemore。
Grandmawasratherneglected，too，andperhapsthatisthereasonwhyTomandsheweresuchgoodfriends。Shewasevenmoreold-fashionedthanPolly；butpeopledidn"tseemtominditsomuchinher，asherdaywassupposedtobeover，andnothingwasexpectedofherbuttokeepoutofeverybody"sway，andtobehandsomelydressedwhensheappeared"beforepeople。"Grandmaledaquiet，solitarylifeinherownrooms，fullofoldfurniture，pictures，books，andrelicsofapastforwhichnoonecaredbutherself。Hersonwentupeveryeveningforalittlecall，wasverykindtoher，andsawthatshewantednothingmoneycouldbuy；buthewasabusyman，sointentongettingrichthathehadnotimetoenjoywhathealreadypossessed。Madamnevercomplained，interfered，orsuggested；
buttherewasasadsortofquietudeabouther，awistfullookinherfadedeyes，asifshewantedsomethingwhichmoneycouldnotbuy，andwhenchildrenwerenear，shehoveredaboutthem，evidentlylongingtocuddleandcaressthemasonlygrandmotherscan。Pollyfeltthis；andasshemissedthehome-petting，gladlyshowedthatshelikedtoseethequietoldfacebrighten，assheenteredthesolitaryroom，wherefewchildrencame，exceptthephantomsoflittlesonsanddaughters，who，tothemotherlyheartthatlovedthem，neverfadedorgrewup。Pollywishedthechildrenwouldbekindertograndma；
butitwasnotforhertotellthemso，althoughittroubledheragooddeal，andshecouldonlytrytomakeupforitbybeingasdutifulandaffectionateasiftheirgrandmawasherown。
AnotherthingthatdisturbedPollywasthewantofexercise。Todressupandparadecertainstreetsforanhoureveryday，tostandtalkingindoorways，ordriveoutinafinecarriage，wasnotthesortofexercisesheliked，andFanwouldtakenoother。Indeed，shewassoshocked，whenPolly，oneday，proposedarundownthemall，thatherfriendneverdaredsuggestsuchathingagain。Athome，Pollyranandrode，coastedandskated，jumpedropeandrakedhay，workedinhergardenandrowedherboat；sonowondershelongedforsomethingmorelivelythanadailypromenadewithaflockofgiddygirls，whotiltedalonginhigh-heeledboots，andcostumeswhichmadePollyashamedtobeseenwithsomeofthem。Sosheusedtoslipoutalonesometimes，whenFannywasabsorbedinnovels，company，ormillinery，andgetfinebriskwalksroundthepark，ontheunfashionableside，wherethebabiestooktheirairings；orshewentinside，towatchtheboyscoasting，andtowishshecouldcoasttoo，asshedidathome。Sheneverwentfar，andalwayscamebackrosyandgay。
Oneafternoon，justbeforedinner，shefeltsotiredofdoingnothing，thatsheslippedoutforarun。Ithadbeenadullday；butthesunwasvisiblenow，settingbrightlybelowtheclouds。ItwascoldbutstillandPollytrotteddownthesmooth，snow-coveredmallhummingtoherself，andtryingnottofeelhomesick。Thecoasterswereatitwithalltheirmight，andshewatchedthem，tillherlongingtojointhefungrewirresistible。
Onthehill，somelittlegirlswereplayingwiththeirsleds，；reallittlegirls，inwarmhoodsandcoats，rubberbootsandmittens，；andPollyfeltdrawntowardtheminspiteofherfearofFan。
"Iwanttogodown，butIdarsn"t，it"ssosteep，"saidoneofthese"commonchildren，"asMaudcalledthem。
"Ifyou"lllendmeyoursled，andsitinmylap，I"lltakeyoudownallnice，"answeredPolly，inaconfidentialtone。
Thelittlegirlstookalookather，seemedsatisfied，andacceptedheroffer。Pollylookedcarefullyroundtoseethatnofashionableeyebeheldtheawfuldeed，andfindingallsafe，settledherfreight，andspunawaydownhill，feelingalloverthedelightsomeexcitementofswiftmotionwhichmakescoastingsuchafavoritepastimewiththemoresensibleportionofthechild-world。Oneafteranother，shetookthelittlegirlsdownthehillanddraggedthemupagain，whiletheyregardedherinthelightofagray-coatedangel，descendedfortheirexpressbenefit。Pollywasjustfinishingoffwithonedelicious"go"allbyherself，whensheheardafamiliarwhistlebehindher，andbeforeshecouldgetoff，upcameTom，lookingasmuchastonishedasifhehadfoundhermounted，onanelephant。
"Hullo，Polly!What"llFansaytoyou？"washispolishedsalutation。
"Don"tknow，anddon"tcare。Coastingisnoharm；Ilikeit，andI"mgoingtodoit，nowI"vegotachance；soclearthelul-la!"AndawaywentindependentPolly，withherhairblowinginthewind，andanexpressionofgenuineenjoyment，whichaveryrednosedidn"tdamageintheleast。
"Goodforyou，Polly!"Andcastinghimselfuponhissled，withthemostrecklessdisregardforhisribs，offwhizzedTomafterher，andcamealongsidejustasshereinedup"GeneralGrant"onthebroadpathbelow。"Oh，won"tyougetitwhenwegohome？"criedtheyounggentleman，evenbeforehechangedhisgracefulattitude。
"Ishan"t，ifyoudon"tgoandtell；butofcourseyouwill，"addedPolly，sittingstill，whileananxiousexpressionbegantostealoverherhappyface。
"Ijustwon"t，then，"returnedTom，withthenaturalperversityofhistribe。
"Iftheyaskme，Ishalltell，ofcourse；iftheydon"task，Ithinkthere"snoharminkeepingstill。Ishouldn"thavedoneit，ifIhadn"tknownmymotherwaswilling；butIdon"twishtotroubleyourmotherbytellingofit。Doyouthinkitwasverydreadfulofme？"askedPolly，lookingathim。
"Ithinkitwasdownrightjolly；andIwon"ttell，ifyoudon"twantmeto。Now，comeupandhaveanother，"saidTom，heartily。
"Justonemore；thelittlegirlswanttogo，thisistheirsled。"
"Let"emtakeit，itisn"tgoodformuch；andyoucomeonmine。Mazeppa"sastunner；youseeifheisn"t。"
SoPollytuckedherselfupinfront，Tomhungonbehindinsomemysteriousmanner，andMazeppaprovedthathefullymeritedhismaster"ssincereifinelegantpraise。Theygotoncapitallynow，forTomwasinhispropersphere，andshowedhisbestside，beingcivilandgayinthebluffboy-fashionthatwasnaturaltohim；whilePollyforgottobeshy，andlikedthissortof"toughening"muchbetterthantheother。Theylaughedandtalked，andkepttaking"justonemore，"tillthesunshinewasallgone，andtheclocksstruckdinner-time。
"Weshallbelate；let"srun，"saidPolly，astheycameintothepathafterthelastcoast。
"Youjustsitstill，andI"llgetyouhomeinajiffy；"andbeforeshecouldunpackherself，Tomtrottedoffwithheratafinepace。
"Here"sapairofcheeks!Iwishyou"dgetacolorlikethis，Fanny，"
saidMr。Shaw，asPollycameintothedining-roomaftersmoothingherhair。
"Yournoseisasredasthatcranberrysauce，"answeredFan，comingoutofthebigchairwhereshehadbeencurledupforanhourortwo，deepin"LadyAudley"sSecret。"
"Soitis，"saidPolly，shuttingoneeyetolookattheoffendingfeature。
"Nevermind；I"vehadagoodtime，anyway，"sheadded，givingalittlepranceinherchair。
"Idon"tseemuchfuninthesecoldrunsyouaresofondoftaking，"
saidFanny，withayawnandashiver。
"Perhapsyouwouldifyoutriedit；"andPollylaughedassheglancedatTom。
"Didyougoalone，dear？"askedgrandma，pattingtherosycheekbesideher。
"Yes"m；butImetTom，andwecamehometogether。"Polly"seyestwinkledwhenshesaidthat，andTomchokedinhissoup。
"Thomas，leavethetable!"commandedMr。Shaw，ashisincorrigiblesongurgledandgaspedbehindhisnapkin。
"Pleasedon"tsendhimaway，sir。Imadehimlaugh，"saidPolly，penitently。
"What"sthejoke？"askedFanny，wakingupatlast。
"Ishouldn"tthinkyou"dmakehimlaugh，whenhe"salwaysmakingyoucwy，"observedMaud，whohadjustcomein。
"Whathaveyoubeendoingnow，sir？"demandedMr。Shaw，asTomemerged，redandsolemn，fromhisbriefobscurity。
"Nothingbutcoast，"hesaid，gruffly，forpapawasalwayslecturinghim，andlettingthegirlsdojustastheyliked。
"So"sPolly；Isawher。MeandBlanchewerecominghomejustnow，andwesawherandTomwidingdownthehillonhissled，andthenhedwaggedhereversofar!"criedMaud，withhermouthfull。
"Youdidn"t？"andFannydroppedherforkwithascandalizedface。
"Yes，Idid，andlikediteversomuch，"answeredPolly，lookinganxiousbutresolute。
"Didanyoneseeyou？"criedFanny。
"Onlysomelittlegirls，andTom。"
"Itwashorridlyimproper；andTomoughttohavetoldyouso，ifyoudidn"tknowanybetter。Ishouldbemortifiedtodeathifanyofmyfriendssawyou，"addedFan，muchdisturbed。
"Now，don"tyouscold。It"snoharm，andPollyshallcoastifshewantsto；mayn"tshe，grandma？"criedTom，gallantlycomingtotherescue，andsecuringapowerfulally。
"Mymotherletsme；andifIdon"tgoamongtheboys，Ican"tseewhatharmthereisinit，"saidPolly，beforeMadamcouldspeak。
"Peopledomanythingsinthecountrythatarenotproperhere，"beganMrs。Shaw，inherreprovingtone。
"Letthechilddoitifshelikes，andtakeMaudwithher。Ishouldbegladtohaveoneheartygirlinmyhouse，"interruptedMr。Shaw，andthatwastheendofit。
"Thankyou，sir，"saidPolly，gratefully，andnoddedatTom，whotelegraphedback"Allright!"andfelluponhisdinnerwiththeappetiteofayoungwolf。
"Oh，yously-boots!you"regettingupaflirtationwithTom，areyou？"
whisperedFannytoherfriend，asifmuchamused。
"What!"andPollylookedsosurprisedandindignant，thatFannywasashamedofherself，andchangedthesubjectbytellinghermothersheneededsomenewgloves。
Pollywasveryquietafterthat，andtheminutedinnerwasover，shelefttheroomtogoandhaveaquiet"think"aboutthewholematter。Beforeshegothalf-wayupstairs，shesawTomcomingafter，andimmediatelysatdowntoguardherfeet。Helaughed，andsaid，asheperchedhimselfonthepostofthebanisters，"Iwon"tgrabyou，honorbright。Ijustwantedtosay，ifyou"llcomeoutto-morrowsometime，we"llhaveagoodcoast。"
"No，"saidPolly，"Ican"tcome。"
"Whynot？Areyoumad？Ididn"ttell。"AndTomlookedamazedatthechangewhichhadcomeoverher。
"No；youkeptyourword，andstoodbymelikeagoodboy。I"mnotmad，either；butIdon"tmeantocoastanymore。Yourmotherdon"tlikeit。"
"Thatisn"tthereason，Iknow。Younoddedtomeaftershe"dfreedhermind，andyoumeanttogothen。Come，now，whatisit？"
"Ishan"ttellyou；butI"mnotgoing，"wasPolly"sdeterminedanswer。
"Well，Ididthinkyouhadmoresensethanmostgirls；butyouhaven"t，andIwouldn"tgiveasixpenceforyou。"
"That"spolite，"saidPolly，gettingruffled。
"Well，Ihatecowards。"