第3章

"Iain"tacoward。"

"Yes，youare。You"reafraidofwhatfolkswillsay；ain"tyou，now？"

Pollyknewshewas，andheldherpeace，thoughshelongedtospeak；

buthowcouldshe？

"Ah，Iknewyou"dbackout。"AndTomwalkedawaywithanairofscornthatcutPollytotheheart。

"It"stoobad!Justashewasgrowingkindtome，andIwasgoingtohaveagoodtime，it"sallspoiltbyFan"snonsense。Mrs。Shawdon"tlikeit，norgrandmaeither，Idaresay。There"llbeafussifIgo，andFanwillplagueme；soI"llgiveitup，andletTomthinkI"mafraid。Oh，dear!Ineverdidseesuchridiculouspeople。"

Pollyshutherdoorhard，andfeltreadytocrywithvexation，thatherpleasureshouldbespoiltbysuchasillyidea；for，ofallthesillyfreaksofthisfastage，thatoflittlepeopleplayingatloveisaboutthesilliest。Pollyhadbeentaughtthatitwasaveryseriousandsacredthing；and，accordingtohernotions，itwasfarmoreimpropertoflirtwithoneboythantocoastwithadozen。Shehadbeenmuchamazed，onlythedaybefore，tohearMaudsaytohermother，"Mamma，mustIhaveabeau？

Thegirlsalldo，andsayIoughttohaveFweddyLovell；butIdon"tlikehimaswellasHawryFiske。"

"Oh，yes；I"dhavealittlesweetheart，dear，it"ssocunning，"answeredMrs。Shaw。AndMaudannouncedsoonafterthatshewasengagedto"Fweddy，"causeHawryslappedher"whensheproposedthematch。

Pollylaughedwiththerestatthetime；butwhenshethoughtofitafterward，andwonderedwhatherownmotherwouldhavesaid，iflittleKittyhadputsuchaquestion，shedidn"tfinditcunningorfunny，butridiculousandunnatural。Shefeltsonowaboutherself；andwhenherfirstpetulancewasover，resolvedtogiveupcoastingandeverythingelse，ratherthanhaveanynonsensewithTom，who，thankstohisneglectededucation，wasasignorantasherselfofthecharmsofthisnewamusementforschool-children。

SoPollytriedtoconsoleherselfbyjumpingropeintheback-yard，andplayingtagwithMaudinthedrying-room，whereshelikewisegavelessonsin"nas-gim-nics，"asMaudcalledit，whichdidthatlittlepersongood。

Fannycameupsometimestoteachthemanewdancingstep，andmorethanoncewasbetrayedintoagameofromps，forwhichshewasnonetheworse。

ButTomturnedacoldshouldertoPolly，andmadeitevident，byhiscavaliermannerthathereallydidn"tthinkher"worthasixpence。"

AnotherthingthattroubledPollywasherclothes，for，thoughnoonesaidanything，sheknewtheywereveryplain；andnowandthenshewishedthatherblueandmousecoloredmerinoswererathermoretrimmed，hersasheshadbiggerbows，andherlittlerufflesmorelaceonthem。Shesighedforalocket，and，forthefirsttimeinherlife，thoughtseriouslyofturningupherprettycurlsandputtingona"wad。"Shekeptthesediscontentstoherself，however，aftershehadwrittentoaskhermotherifshemighthaveherbestdressalteredlikeFanny"s，andreceivedthisreply:

"No，dear；thedressisproperandbecomingasitis，andtheoldfashionofsimplicitythebestforallofus。Idon"twantmyPollytobelovedforherclothes，butforherself；soweartheplainfrocksmothertooksuchpleasureinmakingforyou，andletthepanniersgo。Theleastofushavesomeinfluenceinthisbigworld；andperhapsmylittlegirlcandosomegoodbyshowingothersthatacontentedheartandahappyfacearebetterornamentsthananyPariscangiveher。Youwantalocket，deary；

soIsendonethatmymothergavemeyearsago。Youwillfindfather"sfaceononeside，mineontheother；andwhenthingstroubleyou，justlookatyourtalisman，andIthinkthesunshinewillcomebackagain。"

Ofcourseitdid，forthebestofallmagicwasshutupinthequaintlittlecasethatPollyworeinsideherfrock，andkissedsotenderlyeachnightandmorning。Thethoughtthat，insignificantasshewas，sheyetmightdosomegood，madeherverycarefulofheractsandwords，andsoanxioustokeepheadcontentedandfacehappy，thatsheforgotherclothes，andmadeothersdothesame。Shedidnotknowit，butthatgoodoldfashionofsimplicitymadetheplaingownspretty，andthegraceofunconsciousnessbeautifiedtheirlittlewearerwiththecharmthatmakesgirlhoodsweetesttothosewhotrulyloveandreverenceit。OnetemptationPollyhadalreadyyieldedtobeforethelettercame，andrepentedheartilyofafterward。

"Polly，Iwishyou"dletmecallyouMarie，"saidFannyoneday，astheywereshoppingtogether。

"YoumaycallmeMary，ifyoulike；butIwon"thaveanyieputontomyname。I"mPollyathomeandI"mfondofbeingcalledso；butMarieisFrenchifiedandsilly。"

"Ispellmyownnamewithanie，andsodoallthegirls。"

"AndwhatajumbleofNetties，Nellies，Hatties，andSalliesthereis。

How"Pollie"wouldlookspeltso!"

"Well，nevermind；thatwasn"twhatIbegantosay。There"sonethingyoumusthave，andthatis，bronzeboots，"saidFan，impressively。

"WhymustI，whenI"vegotenoughwithout？"

"Becauseit"sthefashiontohavethem，andyoucan"tbefinishedoffproperlywithout。I"mgoingtogetapair，andsomustyou。"

"Don"ttheycostagreatdeal？"

"Eightorninedollars，Ibelieve。Ihaveminecharged；butitdon"tmatterifyouhaven"tgotthemoney。Icanlendyousome。"

"I"vegottendollarstodowhatIlikewith；butit"smeanttogetsomepresentsforthechildren。"AndPollytookoutherpurseinanundecidedway。

"Youcanmakepresentseasyenough。Grandmaknowsallsortsofnicecontrivances。They"lldojustaswell；andthenyoucangetyourboots。"

"Well；I"lllookatthem，"saidPolly，followingFannyintothestore，feelingratherrichandimportanttobeshoppinginthiselegantmanner。

"Aren"ttheylovely？Yourfootisperfectlydivineinthatboot，Polly。

Getthemformyparty；you"lldancelikeafairy，"whisperedFan。

Pollysurveyedthedainty，shiningbootwiththescallopedtop，thejauntyheel，andthedelicatetoe，thoughtherfootdidlookverywellinit，andafteralittlepause，saidshewouldhavethem。Itwasallverydelightfultillshegothome，andwasalone；then，onlookingintoherpurse，shesawonedollarandthelistofthingsshemeanttogetformotherandthechildren。Howmeanthedollarlookedallalone!andhowlongthelistgrewwhentherewasnothingtobuythearticles。

"Ican"tmakeskatesforNed，noradeskforWill；andthosearewhattheyhavesettheirheartsupon。Father"sbookandmother"scollarareimpossiblenow；andI"maselfishthingtogoandspendallmymoneyformyself。HowcouldIdoit？"AndPollyeyedthenewbootsreproachfully，astheystoodinthefirstpositionasifreadyfortheparty。"Theyarelovely；butIdon"tbelievetheywillfeelgood，forIshallbethinkingaboutmylostpresentsallthetime，"sighedPolly，pushingtheenticingbootsoutofsight。"I"llgoandaskgrandmawhatIcando；forifI"vegottomakesomethingforeveryone，Imustbeginrightaway，orIshan"tgetdone；"andoffshebustled，gladtoforgetherremorseinhardwork。

Grandmaprovedequaltotheemergency，andplannedsomethingforeveryone，supplyingmaterials，taste，andskillinthemostdelightfulmanner。

Pollyfeltmuchcomforted；butwhileshebegantoknitaprettypairofwhitebed-socks，tobetiedwithrose-coloredribbons，forhermother，shethoughtsomeverysoberthoughtsuponthesubjectoftemptation；andifanyonehadaskedherjustthenwhatmadehersigh，asifsomethinglayheavyonherconscience，shewouldhaveanswered，"Bronzeboots。"ChapterIV。ChapterIV。CHAPTERIVLITTLETHINGS"IT"Ssowainy，Ican"tgoout，andevwybodyissocwosstheywon"tplaywithme，"saidMaud，whenPollyfoundherfrettingonthestairs，andpausedtoaskthecauseofherwails。

"I"llplaywithyou；onlydon"tscreamandwakeyourmother。Whatshallweplay？"

"Idon"tknow；I"mtiredofevwything，"causemytoysareallbwoken，andmydollsareallsickbutClawa，"moanedMaud，givingajerktotheParisdollwhichsheheldupsidedownbyoneleginthemostunmaternalmanner。

"I"mgoingtodressadollyformylittlesister；wouldn"tyouliketoseemedoit？"askedPolly，persuasively，hopingtobeguilethecrosschildandfinishherownworkatthesametime。

"No，Ishouldn"t，"causeshe"lllooknicerthanmyClawa。Herclotheswon"tcomeoff；andTomspoilt"emplayingballwithherintheyard。"

"Wouldn"tyouliketoriptheseclothesoff，andhavemeshowyouhowtomakesomenewones，soyoucandressandundressClaraasmuchasyoulike？"

"Yes；Ilovetocut。"AndMaud"s，facebrightened；fordestructivenessisoneoftheearliesttraitsofchildhood，andrippingwasMaud"sdelight。

Establishingthemselvesinthedeserteddining-room，thechildrenfelltowork；andwhenFannydiscoveredthem，MaudwaslaughingwithallherheartatpoorClara，who，denudedofherfinery，wascuttingupallsortsofcapersinthehandsofhermerrylittlemistress。

"Ishouldthinkyou"dbeashamedtoplaywithdolls，Polly。Ihaven"ttouchedonethiseversolong，"saidFanny，lookingdownwithasuperiorair。

"Iain"tashamed，foritkeepsMaudhappy，andwillpleasemysisterKitty；andIthinksewingisbetterthanprinkingorreadingsillynovels，so，now。"AndPollystitchedawaywitharesoluteair，forsheandFannyhadhadalittletiff；becausePollywouldn"tletherfrienddoupherhair"likeotherfolks，"andboreherears。

"Don"tbecross，dear，butcomeanddosomethingnice，it"ssodullto-day，"saidFanny，anxioustobefriendsagain，foritwasdoublydullwithoutPolly。

"Can"t；I"mbusy。"

"Youalwaysarebusy。Ineversawsuchagirl。Whatintheworlddoyoufindtodoallthetime？"askedFanny，watchingwithinterestthesetofthelittleredmerinofrockPollywasputtingontoherdoll。

"Lotsofthings；butIliketobelazysometimesasmuchasyoudo；

justlieonthesofa，andreadfairystories，orthinkaboutnothing。Wouldyouhaveawhite-muslinapronorablacksilk？"addedPolly，surveyingherworkwithsatisfaction。

"Muslin，withpocketsandtinybluebows。I"llshowyouhow。"Andforgettingherhateandcontemptfordolls，downsatFanny，soongettingasmuchabsorbedaseitheroftheothers。

Thedulldaybrightenedwonderfullyafterthat，andthetimeflewpleasantly，astonguesandneedleswenttogether。Grandmapeepedin，andsmiledatthebusygroup，saying，"Sewaway，mydears；dolliesaresafecompanions，andneedleworkanaccomplishmentthat"ssadlyneglectednowadays。Smallstitches，Maud；neatbuttonholes，Fan；cutcarefully，Polly，anddon"twasteyourcloth。Takepains；andthebestneedlewomanshallhaveaprettybitofwhitesatinforadoll"sbonnet。"

Fannyexertedherself，andwontheprize，forPollyhelpedMaud，andneglectedherownwork；butshedidn"tcaremuch，forMr。Shawsaid，lookingatthethreebrightfacesatthetea-table，"IguessPollyhasbeenmakingsunshineforyouto-day。"

"No，indeed，sir，Ihaven"tdoneanything，onlydressMaud"sdoll。"

AndPollydidn"tthinkshehaddonemuch；butitwasoneofthelittlethingswhicharealwayswaitingtobedoneinthisworldofours，whererainydayscomesooften，wherespiritsgetoutoftune，anddutywon"tgohandinhandwithpleasure。Littlethingsofthissortareespeciallygoodworkforlittlepeople；akindlittlethought，anunselfishlittleact，acheerylittleword，aresosweetandcomfortable，thatnoonecanfailtofeeltheirbeautyandlovethegiver，nomatterhowsmalltheyare。Mothersdoadealofthissortofthing，unseen，unthanked，butfeltandrememberedlongafterward，andneverlost，forthisisthesimplemagicthatbindsheartstogether，andkeepshomehappy。Pollyhadlearnedthissecret。

Shelovedtodothe"littlethings"thatothersdidnotsee，orweretoobusytostopfor；andwhiledoingthem，withoutathoughtofthanks，shemadesunshineforherselfaswellasothers。Therewassomuchloveinherownhome，thatshequicklyfeltthewantofitinFanny"s，andpuzzledherselftofindoutwhythesepeoplewerenotkindandpatienttooneanother。

Shedidnottrytosettlethequestion，butdidherbesttoloveandserveandbearwitheach，andthegoodwill，thegentleheart，thehelpfulwaysandsimplemannersofourPollymadeherdeartoeveryone，forthesevirtues，eveninalittlechild，arelovelyandattractive。

Mr。Shawwasverykindtoher，forhelikedhermodest，respectfulmanners；

andPollywassogratefulforhismanyfavors，thatshesoonforgotherfear，andshowedheraffectioninallsortsofconfidinglittleways，whichpleasedhimextremely。Sheusedtowalkacrosstheparkwithhimwhenhewenttohisofficeinthemorning，talkingbusilyalltheway，andsaying"Good-by"withanodandasmilewhentheypartedatthegreatgate。Atfirst，Mr。Shawdidnotcaremuchaboutit；butsoonhemissedherifshedidnotcome，andfoundthatsomethingfreshandpleasantseemedtobrightenallhisday，ifasmall，gray-coatedfigure，withanintelligentface，amerryvoice，andalittlehandslippedconfidinglyintohis，wentwithhimthroughthewintrypark。Cominghomelate，helikedtoseeacurly，brownheadwatchingatthewindow；tofindhisslippersready，hispaperinitsplace，andapairofwillingfeet，eagertowaituponhim。"IwishmyFannywasmorelikeher，"heoftensaidtohimself，ashewatchedthegirls，whiletheythoughthimdeepinpoliticsorthestateofthemoneymarket。PoorMr。Shawhadbeensobusygettingrich，thathehadnotfoundtimetoteachhischildrentolovehim；hewasmoreatleisurenow，andashisboyandgirlsgrewup，hemissedsomething。Pollywasunconsciouslyshowinghimwhatitwas，andmakingchild-lovesosweet，thathefelthecouldnotdowithoutitanymore，yetdidn"tquiteknowhowtowintheconfidenceofthechildren，whohadalwaysfoundhimbusy，indifferent，andabsentminded。

Asthegirlsweregoingtobedonenight，Pollykissedgrandma，asusual，andFannylaughedather，saying，"Whatababyyouare!Wearetoooldforsuchthingsnow。"

"Idon"tthinkpeopleeveraretoooldtokisstheirfathersandmothers，"wasthequickanswer。

"Right，mylittlePolly；"andMr。Shawstretchedouthishandtoherwithsuchakindlylook，thatFannystaredsurprised，andthensaid，shyly，"Ithoughtyoudidn"tcareaboutit，father。"

"Ido，mydear:"AndMr。ShawputouttheotherhandtoFanny，whogavehimadaughterlykiss，quiteforgettingeverythingbutthetenderfeelingthatsprungupinherheartattherenewalofthechildishcustomwhichweneverneedoutgrow。

Mrs。Shawwasanervous，fussyinvalid，whowantedsomethingeveryfiveminutes；soPollyfoundplentyofsmallthingstodoforheranddid，themsocheerfully，thatthepoorladylovedtohavethequiet，helpfulchildnear，towaituponher，readtoher，runerrands，orhandthesevendifferentshawlswhichwerecontinuallybeingputonoroff。

Grandma，too，wasgladtofindwillinghandsandfeettoserveher；

andPollypassedmanyhappyhoursinthequaintrooms，learningallsortsofprettyarts，andlisteningtopleasantchat，neverdreaminghowmuchsunshineshebroughttothesolitaryoldlady。

TomwasPolly"srockaheadforalongtime，becausehewasalwaysbreakingoutinanewplace，andoneneverknewwheretofindhim。Hetormentedyetamusedher；waskindoneday，andabearthenext；attimesshefanciedhewasnevergoingtobebadagain，andthenextthingsheknewhewasdeepinmischief，andhootedattheideaofrepentanceandreformation。

Pollygavehimupasahardcase；butwassointhehabitofhelpinganyonewhoseemedintrouble，thatshewasgoodtohimsimplybecauseshecouldn"thelpit。

"What"sthematter？Isyourlessontoohardforyou？"sheaskedoneevening，asagroanmadeherlookacrossthetabletowhereTomsatscowlingoverapileofdilapidatedbooks，withhishandsinhishair，asifhisheadwasindangerofflyingasunderwiththetremendousefforthewasmaking。

"Hard!Guessitis。WhatinthunderdoIcareabouttheoldCarthaginians？

Reguluswasn"tbad；butI"msickofhim!"AndTomdealt"Harkness"sLatinReader"athump，whichexpressedhisfeelingsbetterthanwords。

"IlikeLatin，andusedtogetonwellwhenIstudieditwithJimmy。

PerhapsIcanhelpyoualittlebit，"saidPolly，asTomwipedhishotfaceandrefreshedhimselfwithapeanut。

"You？pooh!girls"Latindon"tamounttomuchanyway，"wasthegratefulreply。

ButPollywasusedtohimnow，and，nothingdaunted，tookalookatthegrimypageinthemiddleofwhichTomhadstuck。Shereaditsowell，thattheyounggentlemanstoppedmunchingtoregardherwithrespectfulastonishment，andwhenshestopped，hesaid，suspiciously，"Youareaslyone，Polly，tostudyupsoyoucanshowoffbeforeme。Butitwon"tdo，ma"am；turnoveradozenpages，andtryagain。"

Pollyobeyed，anddidevenbetterthanbefore，saying，asshelookedup，withalaugh，"I"vebeenthroughthewholebook；soyouwon"tcatchmethatway，Tom。"

"Isay，howcameyoutoknowsuchalot？"askedTom，muchimpressed。

"IstudiedwithJimmy，andkeptupwithhim，forfatherletusbetogetherinallourlessons。Itwassonice，andwelearnedsofast!"

"TellmeaboutJimmy。He"syourbrother，isn"the？"

"Yes；buthe"sdead，youknow。I"lltellabouthimsomeothertime；

yououghttostudynow，andperhapsIcanhelpyou，"saidPolly，withalittlequiverofthelips。

"Shouldn"twonderifyoucould。"AndTomspreadthebookbetweenthemwithagraveandbusiness-likeair，forhefeltthatPollyhadgotthebetterofhim，anditbehoovedhimtodohisbestforthehonorofhissex。Hewentatthelessonwithawill，andsoonflounderedoutofhisdifficulties，forPollygavehimalifthereandthere，andtheywentonswimmingly，tilltheycametosomerulestobelearned。Pollyhadforgottenthem，sothey，bothcommittedthemtomemory；­；Tom，withhandsinhispockets，rockedtoandfro，mutteringrapidly，whilePollytwistedthelittlecurlonherforeheadandstaredatthewall，gabblingwithallhermight。

"Done!"criedTom，presently。

"Done!"echoedPolly；andthentheyheardeachotherrecitetillbothwereperfect"That"sprettygoodfun，"saidTom，joyfully，tossingpoorHarknessaway，andfeelingthatthepleasantexcitementofcompanionshipcouldlendacharmeventoLatinGrammar。

"Now，ma"am，we"lltakeaturnatalgibbera。IlikethatasmuchasIhateLatin。"

Pollyacceptedtheinvitation，andsoonownedthatTomcouldbeatherhere。Thisfactrestoredhisequnimity；buthedidn"tcrowoverher，farfromit；forhehelpedherwithapaternalpatiencethatmadehereyestwinklewithsuppressedfun，ashesoberlyexplainedandillustrated，unconsciouslyimitatingDominieDeane，tillPollyfounditdifficulttokeepfromlaughinginhisface。

"Youmayhaveanothergoatitany，timeyoulike，"generouslyremarkedTom，asheshiedthealgebraaftertheLatinReader。

"I"llcomeeveryevening，then。I"dliketo，forIhaven"tstudiedabitsinceIcame。Youshalltryandmakemelikealgebra，andI"lltryandmakeyoulikeLatin，willyou？"

"Oh，I"dlikeitwellenough，iftherewasanyoneexplainittome。

OldDeaneputsusthroughdouble-quick，anddon"tgiveafellowtimetoaskquestionswhenweread。"

"Askyourfather；heknows。"

"Don"tbelievehedoes；shouldn"tdaretobotherhim，ifhedid。"

"Whynot？"

"He"dpullmyears，andcallmea"stupid，"ortellmenottoworryhim。"

"Idon"tthinkhewould。He"sverykindtome，andIasklotsofquestions。"

"Helikesyoubetterthanhedoesme。"

"Now，Tom!­；it"swrongofyoutosayso。Ofcoursehelovesyoueversomuchmorethanhedoesme，"criedPolly，reprovingly。

"Whydon"theshowitthen？"mutteredTom，withahalf-wistful，half-defiantglancetowardthelibrarydoor，whichstoodajar。

"Youactso，howcanhe？"askedPolly，afterapause，inwhichsheputTom"squestiontoherself，andcouldfindnobetterreplythantheoneshegavehim。

"Whydon"thegivememyvelocipede？Hesaid，ifIdidwellatschoolforamonth，Ishouldhaveit；andI"vebeenpeggingawaylikefuryformostsixweeks，andhedon"tdoathingaboutit。Thegirlsgettheirduds，becausetheytease。Iwon"tdothatanyway；butyoudon"tcatchmestudyingmyselftodeath，andnopayforit。"

"Itistoobad；butyououghttodoitbecauseit"sright，andnevermindbeingpaid，"beganPolly，tryingtobemoral，butsecretlysympathizingheartilywithpoorTom。

"Don"tyoupreach，Polly。Ifthegovernortookanynoticeofme，andcaredhowIgoton，Iwouldn"tmindthepresentssomuch；buthedon"tcareahang，andneverevenaskedifIdidwelllastdeclamationday，whenI"dgoneandlearned"TheBattleofLakeRegillus，"becausehesaidhelikedit。"

"Oh，Tom!Didyousaythat？It"ssplendid!JimandIusedtosayHoratiustogether，anditwassuchfun。Dospeakyourpiecetome，Idosolike"Macaulay"sLays。""

"It"sdreadfullong，"beganTom；buthisfacebrightened，forPolly"sinterestsoothedhisinjuredfeelings，andhewasgladtoprovehiselocutionarypowers。Hebeganwithoutmuchspirit；butsoonthemartialringofthelinesfiredhim，andbeforeheknewit，hewasonhislegsthunderingawayingrandstyle，whilePollylistenedwithkindlingfaceandabsorbedattention。

Tomdiddeclaimwell，forhequiteforgothimself，anddeliveredthestirringballadwithanenergythatmadePollyflushandtinglewithadmirationanddelight，andquiteelectrifiedasecondlistener，whohadheardallthatwenton，andwatchedthelittlescenefrombehindhisnewspaper。

AsTompaused，breathless，andPollyclappedherhandsenthusiastically，thesoundwasloudlyechoedfrombehindhim。Bothwhirledround，andtherewasMr。Shaw，standinginthedoorway，applaudingwithallhismight。

Tomlookedmuchabashed，andsaidnotaword；PollyrantoMr。Shaw，anddancedbeforehim，saying，eagerly，"Wasn"titsplendid？Didn"thedowell？Mayn"thehavehisvelocipedenow？"

"Capital，Tom；you"llbeanoratoryet。Learnanotherpiecelikethat，andI"llcomeandhearyouspeakit。Areyoureadyforyourvelocipede，hey？"

Pollywasright；andTomownedthat"thegovernor"waskind，didlikehimandhadn"tentirelyforgottenhispromise。Theboyturnedredwithpleasure，andpickedatthebuttonsonhisjacket，whilelisteningtothisunexpectedpraise；butwhenhespoke，helookedstraightupinhisfather"sface，whilehisownshonewithpleasure，asheanswered，inonebreath，"Thankee，sir。I"lldoit，sir。GuessIam，sir!"

"Verygood；thenlookoutforyournewhorsetomorrow，sir。"AndMr。

Shawstrokedthefuzzyredheadwithakindhand，feelingafatherlypleasureintheconvictionthattherewassomethinginhisboyafterall。

Tomgothisvelocipedenextday，nameditBlackAuster，inmemoryofthehorsein"TheBattleofLakeRegillus，"andcametogriefassoonashebegantoridehisnewsteed。

"Comeoutandseemegoit，"whisperedTomtoPolly，afterthreedays"

practiceinthestreet，forhehadalreadylearnedtorideintherink。

PollyandMaudwillinglywent，andwatchedhisstruggles，withdeepinterest，tillhegotanupset，whichnearlyputanendtohisvelocipedingforever。

"Hi，there!Auster"scoming!"shoutedTom，ascamerattlingdownthelong，steepstreetoutsidethepark。

Theysteppedaside，andhewhizzedby，armsandlegsgoinglikemad，withthegeneralappearanceofarunawayengine。Itwouldhavebeenatriumphantdescent，ifabigdoghadnotbouncedsuddenlythroughoneoftheopenings，andsentthewholeconcernhelter-skelterintothegutter。Pollylaughedassherantoviewtheruin。forTomlayflatonhisbackwiththevelocipedeatophim，whilethebigdogbarkedwildly，andhismasterscoldedhimforhisawkwardness。ButwhenshesawTom"sface，Pollywasfrightened，forthecolorhadallgoneoutofit，hiseyeslookedstrangeanddizzy，anddropsofbloodbegantotricklefromagreatcutonhisforehead。Themansawit，too，andhadhimupinaminute；buthecouldn"tstand，andstaredabouthiminadazedsortofway，ashesatonthecurbstone，whilePollyheldherhandkerchieftohisforehead，andpatheticallybeggedtoknowifhewaskilled。

"Don"tscaremother，­；I"mallright。Gotupset，didn"tI？"heasked，presently，eyeingtheprostratevelocipedewithmoreanxietyaboutitsdamagesthanhisown。

"Iknewyou"dhurtyourselfwiththathorridthingjustletitbe，andcomehome，foryourheadbleedsdreadfully，andeverybodyislookingatus，"whisperedPolly，tryingtotiethelittlehandkerchiefovertheuglycut。

"Comeon，then。Jove!howqueermyheadfeels!Giveusaboost，please。

Stophowling，Maud，andcomehome。Youbringthemachine，andI"llpayyou，Pat。"Ashespoke，TomslowlypickedhimselfandsteadyinghimselfbyPolly"sshoulder，issuedcommands，andtheprocessionfellintoline。

First，thebigdog，barkingatintervals；thenthegood-naturedIrishman，trundling"thatdivilofawhirligig，"ashedisrespectfullycalledtheidolizedvelocipede；thenthewoundedhero，supportedbythehelpfulPolly；

andMaudbroughtuptherearintears，bearingTom"scap。

Unfortunately，Mrs。Shawwasoutdrivingwithgrandma，andFannywasmakingcalls；sothattherewasnoonebutPollytostandbyTom，fortheparlor-maidturnedfaintatthesightofblood，andthechamber-maidlostherwitsintheflurry。Itwasabadcut，andmustbesewedupatonce，thedoctorsaid，assoonashecame。"Somebodymustholdhishead；"headded，ashethreadedhisqueerlittleneedle。

"I"llkeepstill，butifanybodymustholdme，letPolly。Youain"tafraid，areyou？"askedTom，withimploringlook，forhedidn"tliketheideaofbeingsewedabit。

Pollywasjustgoingtoshrinkaway，saying，"OhIcan"t!"whensherememberedthatTomoncecalledheracoward。Herewasachancetoprovethatshewasn"t；besides，poorTomhadnooneelsetohelphim；soshecameuptothesofawherehelay，andnoddedreassuringly，assheputasoftlittlehandoneithersideofthedamagedhead。

"Youareatrump，Polly，"whisperedTom。Thenhesethisteeth，clenchedhishands，layquitestill，andboreitlikeaman。Itwasalloverinaminuteortwo，andwhenhehadhadaglassofwine，andwasnicelysettledonhisbed，hefeltprettycomfortable，inspiteofthepaininhishead；

andbeingorderedtokeepquiet，hesaid，"Thankyoueversomuch，Polly，"

andwatchedherwithagratefulfaceasshecreptaway。

Hehadtokeepthehouseforaweek，andlaidaboutlookingveryinterestingwithagreatblackpatchonhisforehead。Everyone"pettedhim；"forthedoctorsaid，thatiftheblowhadbeenaninchnearerthetemple，itwouldhavebeenfatal，andthethoughtoflosinghimsosuddenlymadebluffoldTomverypreciousallatonce。Hisfatheraskedhimhowhewasadozentimesaday；hismothertalkedcontinuallyof"thatdearboy"snarrowescape"；

andgrandmacockeredhimupwitheverydelicacyshecouldinvent；andthegirlswaitedonhimlikedevotedslaves。Thisnewtreatmenthadanexcellenteffect；forwhenneglectedTomgotoverhisfirstamazementatthischangeofbase，heblossomedoutdelightfully，assickpeopledosometimes，andsurprisedhisfamilybybeingunexpectedlypatient，grateful，andamiable。

Nobodyeverknewhowmuchgooditdidhim；forboysseldomhaveconfidencesofthissortexceptwiththeirmothers，andMrs。Shawhadneverfoundthekeytoherson"sheart。Butalittleseedwassowedthenthattookroot，andthoughitgrewveryslowly，itcametosomethingintheend。PerhapsPollyhelpeditalittle。Eveningwashishardesttime，forwantofexercisemadehimasrestlessandnervousasitwaspossibleforaheartyladtobeonsuchashortnotice。

Hecouldn"tsleepsothegirlsamusedhim；­；Fannyplayedandreadaloud；Pollysung，andtoldstories；anddidthelattersowell，thatitgottobearegularthingforhertobeginassoonastwilightcame，andTomwassettledinhisfavoriteplaceongrandma"ssofa。

"Fireaway，Polly，"saidtheyoungsultan，oneevening，ashislittleScheherazadesatdowninherlowchair，afterstirringupthefiretilltheroomwasbrightandcosy。

"Idon"tfeellikestoriesto-night，Tom。I"vetoldallIknow，andcan"tmakeupanymore，"answeredPolly，leaningherheadonherhandwithasorrowfullookthatTomhadneverseenbefore。Hewatchedheraminute，andthenasked，curiously，"Whatwereyouthinkingabout，justnow，whenyousatstaringatthefire，andgettingsobererandsoberereveryminute？

"IwasthinkingaboutJimmy。"

"Wouldyoumindtellingabouthim？Youknow，yousaidyouwouldsometime；butdon"t，ifyou"drathernot，"saidTom，loweringhisroughvoicerespectfully。

"Iliketotalkabouthim；butthereisn"tmuchtotell，"beganPolly，gratefulforhisinterest。"SittingherewithyouremindedmeofthewayIusedtositwithhimwhenhewassick。Weusedtohavesuchhappytimes，andit"ssopleasanttothinkaboutthemnow。"

"Hewasawfullygood，wasn"the？"

"No，hewasn"t；buthetriedtobe，andmothersaysthatishalfthebattle。Weusedtogettiredoftrying；butwekeptmakingresolutions，andworkinghardtokeep"em。Idon"tthinkIgotonmuch；butJimmydid，andeveryonelovedhim。"

"Didn"tyoueversquabble，aswedo？"

"Yes，indeed，sometimes；butwecouldn"tstaymad，andalwaysmadeitupagainassoonaswecould。Jimmyusedtocomeroundfirst，andsay，"Allserene，Polly，"sokindandjolly，thatIcouldn"thelplaughingandbeingfriendsrightaway。"

"Didhenotknowalot？"

"Yes，Ithinkhedid，forhelikedtostudy，andwantedtogeton，sohecouldhelpfather。Peopleusedtocallhimafineboy，andIfeltsoproudtohearit；buttheydidn"tknowhalfhowwisehewas，becausehedidn"tshowoffabit。Isupposesistersalwaysaregrandoftheirbrothers；

butIdon"tbelievemanygirlshadasmuchrighttobeasIhad。"

"Mostgirlsdon"tcaretwopinsabouttheirbrothers；sothatshowsyoudon"tknowmuchaboutit。"

"Well，theyoughtto，iftheydon"t；andtheywouldiftheboyswereaskindtothemasJimmywastome。"

"Why，whatdidhedo？"

"Lovedmedearly，andwasn"tashamedtoshowit，"criedPolly，withasobinhervoice，thatmadeheranswerveryeloquent。

"Whatmadehimdie，Polly？"askedTom，soberly，afterlittlepause。

"Hegothurtcoasting，lastwinter；buthenevertoldwhichboydidit，andheonlylivedaweek。Ihelpedtakecareofhim；andhewassopatient，Iusedtowonderathim，forhewasindreadfulpainalltime。

Hegavemehisbooks，andhisdog，andhisspeckledhens，andhisbigknife，andsaid，"Good-by，Polly，"­；andkissedmethelastthing­；andthen­；O

Jimmy!Jimmy!Ifheonlycouldcomeback!"

PoorPolly"seyeshadbeengettingfullerandfuller，lipstremblingmoreandmore，asshewenton；whenshecametothat"good-by，"shecouldn"tgetanyfurther，butcoveredupherface，andcriedasherheartwouldbreak。Tomwasfullofsympathy，butdidn"tknowhowtoshowit；sohesatshakingupthecamphorbottle，andtryingtothinkofsomethingproperandcomfortabletosay，whenFannycametotherescue，andcuddledPollyinherarms，withsoothinglittlepatsandwhispersandkisses，tillthetearsstopped，andPollysaid，she"didn"tmeanto，andwouldn"tanymore。I"vebeenthinkingaboutmydearboyalltheevening，forTomremindsmeofhim，"sheadded，withasigh。

"Me？HowcanI，whenIain"tabitlikehim？"criedTom，amazed。

"Butyouareinsomeways。"

"WishIwas；butIcan"tbe，forhewasgood，youknow。"

"Soareyou，whenyouchoose。Hasn"thebeengoodandpatient，anddon"tweallliketopethimwhenhe"sclever，Fan？""saidPolly，whoseheartwasstillachingforherbrother，andreadyforhissaketofindvirtuesevenintormentingTom。