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。"