第13章
"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。"