"Oh，Polly，Iamsoglad!Ineverthoughtofit­；youaresogood，andhe'ssuchawildboy，­；Ican'tbelieveit­；butitissodearofyoutocareforhim。"
　　"Couldn'thelpit­；triednotto­；butitwassohard­；youknow，Fan，youknow，"saidastifledvoicefromthedepthsoftheveryfuzzycushionwhichTomhadoncecondemned。
　　Thelastwords，andtheappealinghandoutstretchedtoher，toldFannythesecretofherfriend'stendersympathyforherownlovetroubles，andseemedsopathetic，thatshetookPollyinherarms，andcriedoverher，inthefond，foolishwaygirlshaveofdoingwhentheirheartsarefull，andtearscansaymorethantongues。Thesilenceneverlastslong，however，forthefemininedesireto"talkitover"usuallygetsthebetterofthedeepestemotion。Sopresentlythegirlswerehardatit，Pollyveryhumbleanddowncast，Fannyexcitedandoverflowingwithcuriosityanddelight。
　　"Reallymysister!Youdearthing，howheavenlythatwillbe，"shecried。
　　"Itneverwillbe，"answeredPollyinatoneofcalmdespair。
　　"Whatwillpreventit？"
　　"MariaBailey，"wasthetragicreply。
　　"Whatdoyoumean？IsshetheWesterngirl？Sheshan'thaveTom；I'llkillherfirst!"
　　"Toolate，letmetellyou­；isthatdoorshut，andMaudsafe？"
　　Fannyreconnoitered，andreturning，listenedbreathlessly，whilePollypouredintoherearthebittersecretwhichwaspreyingonhersoul。
　　"Hasn'thementionedMariainhisletters？"
　　"Onceortwice，butsortofjokingly，andIthoughtitwasonlysomelittleflirtation。Hecan'thavetimeformuchofthatfun，he'ssobusy。"
　　"Nedwritesgood，gossipyletters­；Itaughthimhow­；andhetellsmeallthat'sgoingon。Whenhe'dspokenofthisgirlseveraltimes­；theyboardwithhermother，youknow，­；Iaskedabouther，quitecarelessly，andhetoldmeshewaspretty，good，andwelleducated，andhethoughtTomwasrathersmitten。Thatwasablow，foryousee，Fan，sinceTrixbroketheengagement，anditwasn'twrongtothinkofTom，Iletmyselfhope，justalittle，andwassohappy!NowImustgiveitup，andnowIseehowmuchIhoped，andwhatadreadfullossit'sgoingtobe。"
　　TwogreattearsrolleddownPolly'scheeks，andFannywipedthemaway，feelinganintensedesiretogoWestbythenexttrain，witherMariaBaileywithasinglelook，andbringTombackasagifttoPolly。
　　"Itwassostupidofmenottoguessbefore。ButyouseeTomalwaysseemssolikeaboy，andyouaremorewomanlyforyouragethananygirlIknow，soIneverthoughtofyourcaringforhiminthatway。Iknewyouwereverygoodtohim，youaretoeveryone，myprecious；andIknewthathewasfondofyouasheisofme，fonderifanything，becausehethinksyouareperfect；butstillIneverdreamedofhislovingyouasmorethanadearfriend。"
　　"Hedoesn't，"sighedPolly。
　　"Well，heought；andifIcouldgetholdofhim，heshould!"
　　PollyclutchedFanatthat，andheldhertight，sayingsternly，­；
　　"Ifyoueverbreatheaword，dropahint，lookalookthatwilltellhimoranyoneelseaboutme，I'll­；yes，assureasmynameisMaryMilton­；I'llproclaimfromthehousetopsthatyoulikeAr­；"
　　Pollygotnofurther，forFan'shandwasonhermouth，andFan'salarmedvoicevehementlyprotested，­；
　　"Iwon't!IpromisesolemnlyI'llneversayawordtoamortalcreature。Don'tbesofierce，Polly；youquitefrightenme。"
　　"It'sbadenoughtolovesomeonewhodon'tloveyou，buttohavethemtoldofitisperfectlyawful。Itmakesmewildjusttothinkofit。Oh，Fan，I'mgettingsoill-temperedandenviousandwicked，Idon'tknowwhatwillhappentome。"
　　"I'mnotafraidforyou，mydear，andIdobelievethingswillgoright，becauseyouaresogoodtoeveryone。HowTomcouldhelpadoringyouI
　　don'tsee。IknowhewouldifhehadstayedathomelongerafterhegotridofTrix。Itwouldbethemakingofhim；butthoughheismybrother，Idon'tthinkhe'sgoodenoughforyou，Polly，andIdon'tquiteseehowyoucancareforhimsomuch，whenyoumighthavehadapersonsoinfinitelysuperior。"
　　"Idon'twanta'superior'person；he'dtiremeifhewaslikeA。S。
　　Besides，IdothinkTomissuperiortohiminmanythings。Well，youneedn'tstare；Iknowheis，orwillbe。He'ssodifferent，andveryyoung，andhaslotsoffaults，Iknow，butIlikehimallthebetterforit，andhe'shonestandbrave，andhasgotabig，warmheart，andI'dratherhavehimcareformethanthewisest，best，mostaccomplishedmanintheworld，simplybecauseIlovehim!"
　　IfTomcouldonlyhaveseenPolly'sfacewhenshesaidthat!Itwassotender，earnest，anddefiant，thatFannyforgotthedefenceofherownloverinadmirationofPolly'sloyaltytohers；forthisfaithful，allabsorbinglovewasanewrevelationtoFanny，whowasusedtohearingherfriendsboastoftwoorthreeloversayear，andcalculatetheirrespectivevalues，withalmostasmuchcoolnessastheyoungmendiscussedthefortunesofthegirlstheywishedfor，but"couldnotaffordtomarry。"ShehadthoughtherloveforSydneyveryromantic，becauseshedidnotreallycarewhetherhewasrichorpoor，thoughsheneverdaredtosayso，eventoPolly，forfearofbeinglaughedat。Shebegantoseenowwhattruelovewas，andtofeelthatthesentimentwhichshecouldnotconquerwasatreasuretobeacceptedwithreverence，andcherishedwithdevotion。
　　"Idon'tknowwhenIbegantoloveTom，butIfoundoutthatIdidlastwinter，andwasasmuchsurprisedasyouare，"continuedPolly，asifgladtounburdenherheart。"Ididn'tapproveofhimatall。Ithoughthewasextravagant，reckless，anddandified。IwasverymuchdisappointedwhenhechoseTrix，andthemoreIthoughtandsawofit，theworseIfelt，forTomwastoogoodforher，andIhatedtoseeherdosolittleforhim，whenshemighthavedonesomuch；becauseheisoneofthemenwhocanbeledbytheiraffections，andthewomanhemarriescanmakeormarhim。"
　　"That'strue!"criedFan，asPollypausedtolookatthepicture，whichappearedtoregardherwithagrave，steadylook，whichseemedrathertobelieherassertions。
　　"Idon'tmeanthathe'sweakorbad。Ifhewas，Ishouldhatehim；
　　buthedoesneedsomeonetolovehimverymuch，andmakehimhappy，asagoodwomanbestknowshow，"saidPolly，asifansweringthemutelanguageofTom'sface。
　　"IhopeMariaBaileyisallhethinksher，"sheadded，softly，"forIcouldn'tbeartohavehimdisappointedagain。"
　　"Idaresayhedon'tcareafigforher，andyouareonlyborrowingtrouble。WhatdoyousayNedansweredwhenyouaskedaboutthisinconvenientgirl？"saidFannyturninghopefulallatonce。
　　Pollyrepeatedit，andadded，"Iaskedhiminanotherletterifhedidn'tadmireMissB。asmuchasTom，andhewrotebackthatshewas'anicegirl，'buthehadnotimefornonsense，andIneedn'tgetmywhitekidsreadyforsomeyearsyet，unlesstodanceatTom'swedding。Sincethenhehasn'tmentionedMaria，soIwassuretherewassomethingseriousgoingon，andbeinginTom'sconfidence，hekeptquiet。"
　　"Itdoeslookbad。SupposeIsayawordtoTom，justinquireafterhisheartinageneralway，youknow，andgivehimachancetotellme，ifthereisanythingtotell。"
　　"I'mwilling，butyoumustletmeseetheletter。Ican'ttrustyounottohintorsaytoomuch。"
　　"Youshall。I'llkeepmypromiseinspiteofeverything，butitwillbehardtoseethingsgoingwrongwhenawordwouldsetitright。"
　　"Youknowwhatwillhappenifyoudo，"andPollylookedsothreateningthatFantrembledbeforeher，discoveringthatthegentlestgirlswhenrousedaremoreimpressivethananyshrew；foreventurtledovespeckgallantlytodefendtheirnests。
　　"IfitistrueaboutMaria，whatshallwedo？"saidFannyafterapause。
　　"Bearit；Peoplealwaysdobearthings，somehow，"answeredPolly，lookingasifsentencehadbeenpasseduponher。
　　"Butifitisn't？"criedFan，unabletoendurethesight。
　　"ThenIshallwait。"AndPolly'sfacechangedsobeautifullythatFanhuggedheronthespot，ferventlywishingthatMariaBaileyneverhadbeenborn。
　　Thentheconversationturnedtolovernumbertwo，andafteralongconfabulation，PollygaveitasherfirmbeliefthatA。S。hadforgottenM。M。，andwasrapidlyfindingconsolationintheregardofF。S。WiththissatisfactorydecisionthecouncilendedaftertheratificationofaLoyalLeague，bywhichthefriendspledgedthemselvestostandstaunchlybyoneanother，throughthetrialsofthecomingyear。
　　Itwasaverydifferentwinterfromthelastforboththegirls。Fannyappliedherselftoherdutieswithredoubledardor，for"A。S。"wasadomesticman，andadmiredhousewifelyaccomplishments。IfFannywantedtoshowhimwhatshecoulddotowardmakingapleasanthome，shecertainlysucceededbetterthanshesuspected，forinspiteofmanyfailuresanddiscouragementsbehindthescenes，thelittlehousebecameamostattractiveplace，toMr。Sydneyatleast，forhewasmorethehouse-friendthanever，andseemeddeterminedtoprovethatchangeoffortunemadenodifferencetohim。
　　FannyhadbeenafraidthatPolly'sreturnmightendangerherhopes，butSydneymetPollywiththeoldfriendliness，andverysoonconvincedherthatthenippinginthebudprocesshadbeeneffectual，forbeingtakenearly，thesproutingaffectionhaddiedeasy，andleftroomforanolderfriendshiptoblossomintoahappierlove。
　　Fannyseemedgladofthis，andPollysoonsetherheartatrestbyprovingthatshehadnowishtotryherpower。Shekeptmuchathomewhentheday'sworkwasdone，findingitpleasantertositdreamingoverbookorsewingalone，thantoexertherselfeventogototheShaws'。
　　"Fandon'tneedme，andSydneydon'tcarewhetherIcomeornot，soI'llkeepoutoftheway，"shewouldsay，asiftoexcuseherseemingindolence。
　　Pollywasnotatalllikeherselfthatwinter，andthosenearesttohersawandwonderedatitmost。Willgotveryanxious，shewassoquiet，paleandspiritless，anddistractedpoorPollybyhisaffectionatestupidity，tillshecompletedhisbewildermentbygettingcrossandscoldinghim。
　　SoheconsoledhimselfwithMaud，who，nowbeinginherteens，assumeddignifiedairs，andorderedhimaboutinastylethataffordedhimcontinuedamusementandemployment。
　　Westernnewscontinuedvague，forFan'sgeneralinquiriesproducedonlyprovokinglyunsatisfactoryrepliesfromTom，whosangthepraisesof"thebeautifulMissBailey，"andprofessedtobeconsumedbyahopelesspassionforsomebody，insuchhalf-comic，half-tragicterms，thatthegirlscouldnotdecidewhetheritwas"allthatboy'smischief，"oronlyacloaktohidethedreadfultruth。
　　"We'llhaveitoutofhimwhenhecomeshomeinthespring，"saidFannytoPolly，astheycomparedthelettersoftheirbrothers，andagreedthat"menwerethemostuncommunicativeandprovokinganimalsunderthesun。"
　　ForNedwassoabsorbedinbusinessthatheignoredthewholeBaileyquestionandlefttheminutterdarkness。
　　Hungerofanysortisahardthingtobear，especiallywhenthesuffererhasayouthfulappetite，andPollywaskeptonsuchashortallowanceofhappinessforsixmonths，thatshegotquitethinandinteresting；andoften，whenshesawhowbighereyesweregetting，andhowplainlytheveinsonhertemplesshowed，indulgedthepensivethoughtthatperhapsspringdandelionsmightblossomo'erhergrave。ShehadnointentionofdyingtillTom'svisitwasover，however，andasthetimedrewnear，shewentthroughsuchalternationsofhopeandfear，andlivedinsuchastateoffeverishexcitement，thatspiritsandcolorcameback，andshesawthattheinterestingpallorshehadcountedonwouldbeanentirefailure。
　　Maycameatlast，andwithitaburstofsunshinewhichcheeredevenpoorPolly'smuch-enduringheart。Fannycamewalkinginuponheroneday，lookingasifshebroughttidingsofsuchgreatjoythatshehardlyknewhowtotellthem。
　　"Prepareyourself­；somebodyisengaged!"shesaid，inasolemntone，thatmadePollyputupherhandasiftowardoffanexpectedblow。"No，don'tlooklikethat，mypoordear；itisn'tTom，it's­；I!"
　　Ofcoursetherewasarapture，followedbyoneofthedeliciouslyconfidentialtalkswhichbosomfriendsenjoy，interspersedwithtearsandkisses，smilesandsighs。
　　"Oh，Polly，thoughI'vewaitedandhopedsolongIcouldn'tbelieveitwhenitcame，anddon'tdeserveit；butIwill!fortheknowledgethathelovesmeseemstomakeeverythingpossible，"saidFanny，withanexpressionwhichmadeherreallybeautiful，forthefirsttimeinherlife。
　　"Youhappygirl!"sighedPolly，thensmiledandadded，"Ithinkyoudeserveallthat'scometoyou，foryouhavetrulytriedtobeworthyofit，andwhetheritevercameornotthatwouldhavebeenathingtobeproudof。"
　　"Hesaysthatiswhatmadehimloveme，"answeredFanny，nevercallingherloverbyhisname，butmakingthelittlepersonalpronounaverysweetwordbythetoneinwhichsheutteredit。"Hewasdisappointedinmelastyear，hetoldme，butyousaidgoodthingsaboutmeandthoughhedidn'tcaremuchthen，yetwhenhelostyou，andcamebacktome，hefoundthatyouwerenotaltogethermistaken，andhehaswatchedmeallthiswinter，learningtorespectandlovemebettereveryday。Oh，Polly，whenhesaidthat，Icouldn'tbearit，becauseinspiteofallmytrying，I'mstillsoweakandpoorandsilly。"
　　"Wedon'tthinkso；andIknowyou'llbeallhehopestofindyou，forhe'sjustthehusbandyououghttohave。"
　　"Thankyouallthemore，then，fornotkeepinghimyourself，"saidFanny，laughingtheoldblithelaughagain。
　　"Thatwasonlyaslightaberrationofhis；heknewbetterallthetime。
　　Itwasyourwhitecloakandmyidioticbehaviorthenightwewenttotheoperathatputtheideaintohishead，"saidPolly，feelingasiftheeventsofthateveninghadhappenedsometwentyyearsago，whenshewasagiddyyoungthing，fondofgaybonnetsandgirlishpranks。
　　"I'mnotgoingtotellTomawordaboutit，butkeepitforasurprisetillhecomes。Hewillbeherenextweek，andthenwe'llhaveagrandclearingupofmysteries，"saidFan，evidentlyfeelingthatthemillenniumwasathand。
　　"Perhaps，"saidPolly，asherheartflutteredandthensunk，forthiswasacasewhereshecoulddonothingbuthope，andkeepherhandsbusywithWill'snewsetofshirts。
　　Thereisagooddealmoreofthissortofsilentsufferingthantheworldsuspects，forthe"womenwhodare"arefew，thewomenwho"standandwait"aremany。Butifwork-basketsweregiftedwithpowersofspeech，theycouldtellstoriesmoretrueandtenderthananyweread。Forwomenoftensewthetragedyorcomedyoflifeintotheirworkastheysitapparentlysafeandsereneathome，yetarethinkingdeeply，livingwholeheart-histories，andprayingferventprayerswhiletheyembroiderprettytriflesordotheweeklymending。ChapterXIX。ChapterXIX。CHAPTERXIXTOM'SSUCCESS"Come，Philander，letusbeamarching，Everyonehistrueloveasearching，"WOULDbethemostappropriatemottoforthischapter，because，intimidatedbythethreats，denunciations，andcomplaintsshowereduponmeinconsequenceoftakingthelibertytoendacertainstoryasIliked，Inowyieldtotheamiabledesireofgivingsatisfaction，and，attheriskofoutragingalltheunities，intendtopairoffeverybodyIcanlaymyhandson。
　　Occasionallyamatrimonialepidemicappears，especiallytowardspring，devastatingsociety，thinningtheranksofbachelordom，andleavingmotherslamentingfortheirfairestdaughters。ThatspringthediseasebrokeoutwithgreatviolenceintheShawcircle，causingpaternalheadsmuchbewilderment，asonecaseafteranotherappearedwithalarmingrapidity。Fanny，aswehaveseen，wasstrickenfirst，andhardlyhadshebeencarriedsafelythroughthecrisis，whenTomreturnedtoswellthelistofvictims。AsFannywasoutagooddealwithherArthur，whowassurethatexercisewasnecessaryfortheconvalescent，PollywenteverydaytoseeMrs。Shaw，whofoundherselflonely，thoughmuchbetterthanusual，fortheengagementhadafinereffectuponherconstitutionthananytonicsheevertried。SomethreedaysafterFan'sjoyfulcallPollywasstartledonenteringtheShaws'
　　door，byMaud，whocametumblingdownstairs，sendinganavalancheofwordsbeforeher，­；
　　"He'scomebeforehesaidheshouldtosurpriseus!He'supinmamma'sroom，andwasjustsaying，'How'sPolly？'whenIheardyoucome，inyourcreep-mouseway，andyoumustgorightup。Helookssofunnywithwhiskers，buthe'seversonice，realbigandbrown，andheswungmerightupwhenhekissedme。Nevermindyourbonnet，Ican'twait。"
　　AndpouncinguponPolly，Mauddraggedherawaylikeacapturedshiptowedbyanoisylittlesteam-tug。
　　"Thesoonerit'soverthebetterforme，"wastheonlythoughtPollyhadtimeforbeforesheplungedintotheroomabove，propelledbyMaud，whocriedtriumphantly，­；
　　"Thereheis!Ain'thesplendid？"
　　Foraminute，everythingdancedbeforePolly'seyes，asahandshookherswarmly，andagruffishvoicesaidheartily，­；
　　"Howareyou，Polly？"ThensheslippedintoachairbesideMrs。
　　Shaw，hopingthatherreplyhadbeenallrightandproper，forshehadnottheleastideawhatshesaid。
　　Thingsgotsteadyagaindirectly，andwhileMaudexpatiatedonthegreatsurprise，PollyventuredtolookatTom，feelinggladthatherbackwastowardthelight，andhiswasnot。Itwasnotalargeroom，andTomseemedtofillitentirely；notthathehadgrownsoverymuch，exceptbroaderintheshoulders，buttherewasabrisk，genial，free-and-easyairabouthim，suggestiveofastirring，out-of-doorlife，withpeoplewhokepttheireyeswideopen，andwerenotveryparticularwhattheydidwiththeirarmsandlegs。Therough-and-readytravellingsuit，stoutboots，brownface，andmanlybeard，changedhimsomuch，thatPollycouldfindscarcelyatraceofelegantTomShawinthehearty-lookingyoungmanwhostoodwithonefootonachair，whilehetalkedbusinesstohisfatherinasensibleway，whichdelightedtheoldgentleman。Pollylikedthechangeimmensely，andsatlisteningtothestateofWesterntradewithasmuchinterestasifithadbeenthemostthrillingromance，for，ashetalked，Tomkeptlookingatherwithanodorasmilesolikeoldtimes，thatforalittlewhile，sheforgotMariaBailey，andwasinbliss。
　　ByandbyFannycameflyingin，andgaveTomagreatersurprisethanhishadbeen。Hehadnottheleastsuspicionofwhathadbeengoingonathome，forFanhadsaidtoherself，withgirlishmalice，"Ifhedon'tchoosetotellmehissecrets，I'mnotgoingtotellmine，"andhadsaidnothingaboutSydney，exceptanoccasionalallusiontohisbeingoftenthere，andverykind。Therefore，whensheannouncedherengagement，Tomlookedsostaggeredforaminute，thatFanthoughthedidn'tlikeit；
　　butafterthefirstsurprisepassed，heshowedsuchanaffectionatesatisfaction，thatshewasbothtouchedandflattered。
　　"Whatdoyouthinkofthisperformance？"askedTom，wheelingroundtoPolly，whostillsatbyMrs。Shaw，intheshadowofthebed-curtains。
　　"Ilikeitverymuch，"shesaidinsuchaheartytone，thatTomcouldnotdoubtthegenuinenessofherpleasure。
　　"Gladofthat。Hopeyou'llbeaswellpleasedwithanotherengagementthat'scomingoutbeforelong"；andwithanoddlaugh，TomcarriedSydneyofftohisden，leavingthegirlstotelegraphtooneanothertheawfulmessage，­；
　　"ItisMariaBailey。"
　　Howshemanagedtogetthroughthatevening，Pollyneverknew，yetitwasnotalongone，forateighto'clocksheslippedoutoftheroom，meaningtorunhomealone，andnotcompelanyonetoserveasescort。Butshedidnotsucceed，forasshestoodwarmingherrubbersatthedining-roomfire，wonderingpensivelyasshedidsoifMariaBaileyhadsmallfeet，andifTomeverputherrubbersonforher，thelittleovershoesweretakenoutofherhands，andTom'svoicesaid，reproachfully，­；
　　"Didyoureallymeantorunaway，andnotletmegohomewithyou？"
　　"I'mnotafraid；Ididn'twanttotakeyouaway，"beganPolly，secretlyhopingthatshedidn'tlooktoopleased。
　　"ButIliketobetakenaway。Why，it'sawholeyearsinceIwenthomewithyou；doyourememberthat？"saidTom，flappingtherubbersaboutwithoutanysignsofhaste。
　　"Doesitseemlong？"
　　"Everlasting!"
　　Pollymeanttosaythatquiteeasily，andsmileincredulouslyathisanswer；butinspiteofthecoquettishlittlerose-coloredhoodshewore，andwhichsheknewwasverybecoming，shedidnotlookorspeakgayly，andTomsawsomethinginthealteredfacethatmadehimsayhastily，­；
　　"I'mafraidyou'vebeendoingtoomuchthiswinter；youlooktiredout，Polly。"
　　"Oh，no!itsuitsmetobeverybusy，"andshebegantodragonherglovesasiftoproveit。
　　"Butitdoesn'tsuitmetohaveyougetthinandpale，youknow。"
　　Pollylookeduptothankhim，butneverdid，fortherewassomethingdeeperthangratitudeinthehonestblueeyes，thatcouldnothidethetruthentirely。Tomsawit，flushedalloverhisbrownface，anddroppingtherubberswithacrash，tookherhands，saying，inhisoldimpetuousway，­；
　　"Polly，Iwanttotellyousomething!"
　　"Yes，Iknow，we'vebeenexpectingit。Ihopeyou'llbeveryhappy，Tom；"andPollyshookhishandswithasmilethatwasmorepatheticthanafloodoftears。
　　"What!"criedTom，lookingasifhethoughtshehadlosthermind。
　　"Nedtoldusallabouther；hethoughtitwouldbeso，andwhenyouspokeofanotherengagement，weknewyoumeantyourown。"
　　"ButIdidn't!Ned'stheman；hetoldmetotellyou。It'sjustsettled。"
　　"IsitMaria？"criedPolly，holdingontoachairasiftobepreparedforanything。
　　"Ofcourse。Whoelseshoulditbe？"
　　"Hedidn'tsay­；youtalkedabouthermost­；andsowethought­；"
　　stammeredPolly，fallingintoasuddenflutter。
　　"ThatIwasinlove？Well，Iam，butnotwithher。"
　　"Oh!"andPollycaughtherbreathasifadashofcoldwaterhadfallenonher，forthemoreinearnestTomgrew，theblunterhebecame。
　　"DoyouwanttoknowthenameofthegirlI'velovedformorethanayear？Well，it'sPolly!"Ashespoke，Tomstretchedouthisarmstoher，withthesortofmuteeloquencethatcannotberesisted，andPollywentstraightintothem，withoutaword。
　　Nevermindwhathappenedforalittlebit。Lovescenes，ifgenuine，areindescribable；fortothosewhohaveenactedthem，themostelaboratedescriptionseemstame，andtothosewhohavenot，thesimplestpictureseemsoverdone。Soromancershadbetterletimaginationpaintforthemthatwhichisaboveallart，andleavetheirloverstothemselvesduringthehappiestminutesoftheirlives。
　　Beforelong，TomandPollyweresittingsidebyside，enjoyingtheblissfulstateofmindwhichusuallyfollowsthefirststepoutofourwork-a-dayworld，intotheglorifiedregionwhereinloversrapturouslyexistforamonthortwo。TomjustsatandlookedatPollyasifhefounditdifficulttobelievethatthewinterofhisdiscontenthadendedinthisgloriousspring。ButPolly，beingatruewoman，askedquestions，evenwhileshelaughedandcriedforjoy。
　　"Now，Tom，howcouldIknowyoulovedmewhenyouwentawayandneversaidaword？"shebegan，inatenderlyreproachfultone，thinkingofthehardyearshehadspent。
　　"AndhowcouldIhavethecouragetosayaword，whenIhadnothingonthefaceoftheearthtoofferyoubutmyworthlessself？"answeredTom，warmly。
　　"ThatwasallIwanted!"whisperedPolly，inatonewhichcausedhimtofeelthattheraceofangelswasnotentirelyextinct。
　　"I'vealwaysbeenfondofyou，myPolly，butIneverrealizedhowfondtilljustbeforeIwentaway。Iwasn'tfree，youknow，andbesidesIhadastrongimpressionthatyoulikedSydneyinspiteofthedamperwhichFanhintedyougavehimlastwinter。He'ssuchacapitalfellow，Ireallydon'tseehowyoucouldhelpit。"
　　"Itisstrange；Idon'tunderstanditmyself；butwomenarequeercreatures，andthere'snoaccountingfortheirtastes，"saidPolly，withaslylook，whichTomfullyappreciated。
　　"Youweresogoodtomethoselastdays，thatIcameverynearspeakingout，butcouldn'tbeartoseemtobeofferingyouapoor，disgracedsortoffellow，whomTrixwouldn'thave，andnooneseemedtothinkworthmuch。
　　'No，'Isaidtomyself，'Pollyoughttohavethebest；ifSydcangether，lethim，andIwon'tsayaword。I'lltrytobebetterworthyherfriendship，anyway；andperhaps，whenI'veprovedthatIcandosomething，andamnotashamedtowork，then，ifPollyisfree，Ishan'tbeafraidtotrymychance。'SoIheldmytongue，workedlikeahorse，satisfiedmyselfandothersthatIcouldgetmylivinghonestly，andthencamehometoseeiftherewasanyhopeforme。"
　　"AndIwaswaitingforyouallthetime，"saidasoftvoiceclosetohisshoulder；forPollywasmuchtouchedbyTom'smanlyeffortstodeserveher。
　　"Ididn'tmeantodoitthefirstminute，butlookaboutmealittle，andbesureSydwasallright。ButFan'snewssettledthatpoint，andjustnowthelookinmyPolly'sfacesettledtheother。Icouldn'twaitanotherminute，orletyoueither，andIcouldn'thelpstretchingoutmyarmstomylittlewife，Godblessher，thoughIknowIdon'tdeserveher。"
　　Tom'svoicegotlowerandlowerashespoke，andhisfacewasfullofanemotionofwhichheneednotbeashamed，foraverysincereloveennobledhim，makinghimhumble，whereashalloweraffectionwouldhavebeenproudofitssuccess。Pollyunderstoodthis，andfoundthehonest，heartyspeechofherlovermoreeloquentthanpoetryitself。Herhandstoleuptohischeek，andsheleanedherownconfidinglyagainsttheroughcoat，asshesaid，inherfranksimpleway，­；
　　"Tom，dear，don'tsaythat，asifIwasthebestgirlintheworld。
　　I'vegoteversomanyfaults，andIwantyoutoknowthemall，andhelpmecurethem，asyouhaveyourown。Waitinghasnotdoneusanyharm，andIloveyouallthebetterforyourtrial。ButI'mafraidyouryearhasbeenharderthanmine，youlooksomucholderandgraverthanwhenyouwentaway。Youneverwouldcomplain；butI'vehadafeelingthatyouweregoingthroughagooddealmorethananyofusguessed。"
　　"Prettytoughworkatfirst，Iown。Itwasallsonewandstrange，I
　　'mafraidIshouldn'thavestooditifithadnotbeenforNed。He'dlaughandsay'Pooh!'ifheheardmesayit，butit'strueneverthelessthathe'sagrandfellowandhelpedmethroughthefirstsixmonthslikea­；well，abrotherasheis。Therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldgooutofhiswaytobackupashiftlesspartylikeme，yethedid，andmademanythingseasyandsafethatwouldhavebeenconfoundedlyhardanddangerousifI'dbeenlefttomyself。TheonlywayIcanexplainitisthatit'safamilytrait，andasnaturaltothebrotherasitistothesister。"
　　"It'saShawtraittodothesame。ButtellmeaboutMaria；isNedreallyengagedtoher？"
　　"Verymuchso；you'llgetaletterfullofrapturestomorrow；hehadn'ttimetosendbyme，Icameoffinsuchahurry。Mariaisasensible，prettygirlandNedwillbeahappyoldfellow。"
　　"Whydidyouletusthinkitwasyou？"
　　"IonlyteasedFanalittle；IdidlikeMaria，forsheremindedmeofyousometimes，andwassuchakind，cosylittlewomanIcouldn'thelpenjoyinghersocietyafterahardday'swork。ButNedgotjealous，andthenIknewthathewasinearnest，soIlefthimaclearfield，andpromisednottobreatheawordtoanyonetillhehadgotaYesorNofromhisMaria。"
　　"IwishI'dknownit，"sighedPolly。"Peopleinlovealwaysdosuchstupidthings!"
　　"Sotheydo；forneitheryounorFangaveuspoorfellowstheleasthintaboutSyd，andthereI'vebeenhavingallsortsofscaresaboutyou。"
　　"Servesusright；brothersandsistersshouldn'thavesecretsfromeachother。"
　　"Weneverwillagain。Didyoumissmeverymuch？"
　　"Yes，Tom；very，verymuch。"
　　"MypatientlittlePolly!"
　　"Didyoureallycareformebeforeyouwent？"
　　"SeeifIdidn't；"andwithgreatprideTomproducedaportlypocket-bookstuffedwithbusiness-likedocumentsofamostimposingappearance，openedaprivatecompartment，andtookoutaworn-lookingpaper，unfoldeditcarefully，anddisplayedasmallbrownobjectwhichgaveoutafaintfragrance。
　　"That'stheroseyouputinthebirthdaycake，andnextweekwe'llhaveafreshoneinanotherjollylittlecakewhichyou'llmakeme；youleftitonthefloorofmydenthenightwetalkedthere，andI'vekeptiteversince。There'sloveandromanceforyou!"
　　Pollytouchedthelittlerelic，treasuredforayear，andsmiledtoreadthewords"MyPolly'srose，"scribbledunderthecrumblingleaves。
　　"Ididn'tknowyoucouldbesosentimental，"shesaid，lookingsopleasedthathedidnotregretconfessinghisfolly。
　　"IneverwastillIlovedyou，mydear，andI'mnotverybadyet，forIdon'twearmyposynextmyheart，butwhereIcanseeiteveryday，andsoneverforgetforwhomIamworking。Shouldn'twonderifthatbitofnonsensehadkeptmeeconomical，honest，andhardatit，forIneveropenedmypocket-bookthatIdidn'tthinkofyou。"
　　"That'slovely，Tom，"andPollyfounditsotouchingthatshefeltforherhandkerchief；butTomtookitaway，andmadeherlaughinsteadofcry，bysaying，inawheedlesometone，­；
　　"Idon'tbelieveyoudidasmuch，forallyourromance。Didyou，now？"
　　"Ifyouwon'tlaugh，I'llshowyoumytreasures。Ibeganfirst，andI'vewornthemlongest。"
　　Asshespoke，Pollydrewouttheoldlocket，openedit，andshowedthepictureTomgaveherinthebagofpeanutscutsmallandfittedinononesideontheotherwasacurlofreddishhairandablackbutton。HowTomlaughedwhenhesawthem!
　　"Youdon'tmeanyou'vekeptthatfrightfulguyofaboyallthistime？
　　Polly!Polly!youarethemostfaithful'loveress，'asMaudsays，thatwaseverknown。"
　　"Don'tflatteryourselfthatI'vewornitalltheseyears，sir；IonlyputitinlastspringbecauseIdidn'tdaretoaskforoneofthenewones。Thebuttoncameofftheoldcoatyouinsistedonwearingafterthefailure，asifitwasyourdutytolookasshabbyaspossible，andthecurlIstolefromMaud。Aren'twesilly？"
　　Hedidnotseemtothinkso，andafterashortpauseforrefreshments，Pollyturnedserious，andsaidanxiously，­；
　　"Whenmustyougobacktoyourhardwork？"
　　"Inaweekortwo；butitwon'tseemdrudgerynow，foryou'llwriteeveryday，andIshallfeelthatI'mworkingtogetahomeforyou。Thatwillgivemeaforty-man-power，andI'llpayupmydebtsandgetagoodstart，andthenNedandIwillbemarriedandgointopartnership，andwe'llallbethehappiest，busiestpeopleintheWest。"
　　"Itsoundsdelightful；butwon'tittakealongtime，Tom？"
　　"Onlyafewyears，andweneedn'twaitaminuteafterSydispaid，ifyoudon'tmindbeginningratherlowdown，Polly。"
　　"I'dratherworkupwithyou，thansitidlewhileyoutoilawayallalone。That'sthewayfatherandmotherdid，andIthinktheywereveryhappyinspiteofthepovertyandhardwork。"
　　"Thenwe'lldoitbyanotheryear，forImustgetmoresalarybeforeItakeyouawayfromagoodhomehere。Iwish，oh，Polly，howIwishI
　　hadahalfofthemoneyI'vewasted，tomakeyoucomfortable，now。"
　　"Nevermind，Idon'twantit；I'dratherhaveless，andknowyouearneditallyourself，"criedPolly，asTomstruckhishandonhiskneewithanacutepangofregretatthepowerhehadlost。
　　"It'slikeyoutosayit，andIwon'twasteanywordsbewailingmyself，becauseIwasafool。Wewillworkuptogether，mybravePolly，andyoushallyetbeproudofyourhusband，thoughheis'poorTomShaw。'"
　　Shewasassureofthatasifanoraclehadforetoldit，andwasnotdeceived；forthelovingheartthathadalwaysseen，believed，andtriedtostrengthenallgoodimpulsesinTom，waswellrepaidforitsinstinctivetrustbythehappinessoftheyearstocome。
　　"Yes，"shesaid，hopefully，"Iknowyouwillsucceed，forthebestthingamancanhave，isworkwithapurposeinit，andthewilltodoitheartily。"
　　"Thereisonebetterthing，Polly，"answeredTom，turningherfaceupalittle，thathemightseehisinspirationshininginhereyes。
　　"Whatisit，dear？"
　　"Agoodwomantoloveandhelphimallhislife，asyouwillme，pleaseGod。"
　　"Eventhoughsheisold-fashioned，"whisperedPolly，withhappyeyes，thebrighterfortheirtears，asshelookedupattheyoungman，who，throughher，hadcaughtaglimpseofthetruestsuccess，andwasnotashamedtooweittoloveandlabor，twobeautifuloldfashionsthatbeganlongago，withthefirstpairinEden。
　　LestanyofmyyoungreaderswhohavehonoredMaudwiththeirinterestshouldsufferthepangsofunsatisfiedcuriosityastoherfuture，IwilladdfortheirbenefitthatshedidnotmarryWill，butremainedabusy，livelyspinsterallherdays，andkepthouseforherfatherinthemostdelightfulmanner。
　　Will'sministerialdreamcametopassinthecourseoftime，however，andagentle，bright-eyedladyruledovertheparsonage，whomthereverendWilliamcalledhis"littleJane。"
　　Fartherintofuturityeventhisrashpendaresnotproceed，butpauseshere，concludinginthewordsofthedearoldfairytales，"Andsotheyweremarried，andalllivedhappilytilltheydied。"