\"Comeon，then。\"
\"Oh，I\'mnotgoing；it\'stoowet。Shouldn\'thaveacrimpleftifIwentoutsuchadayasthis；andIwanttolooknicewhenPollycomes。\"
\"Youdon\'texpectmetogoandbringhomeastrangegirlalone，doyou？\"
AndTomlookedasmuchalarmedasifhissisterhadproposedtohimtoescortthewildwomanofAustralia。
\"OfcourseIdo。It\'syourplacetogoandgether；andifyouwasn\'tabear，you\'dlikeit。\"
\"Well，Icallthatmean!IsupposedI\'dgottogo；butyousaidyou\'dgo，too。Catchmebotheringaboutyourfriendsanothertime!No，sir!\"AndTomrosefromthesofawithanairofindignantresolution，theimpressiveeffectofwhichwassomewhatdamagedbyatousledhead，andthehunchedappearanceofhisgarmentsgenerally。
\"Now，don\'tbecross；andI\'llgetmammatoletyouhavethathorridNedMiller，thatyouaresofondof，comeandmakeyouavisitafterPolly\'sgone，\"saidFanny，hopingtosoothehisruffledfeelings。
\"Howlongisshegoingtostay？\"demandedTom，makinghistoiletbyapromiscuousshake。
\"Amonthortwo，maybe。She\'seversonice；andIshallkeepheraslongasshe\'shappy。\"
\"Shewon\'tstaylongthen，ifIcanhelpit，\"mutteredTom，whoregardedgirlsasaveryunnecessaryportionofcreation。Boysoffourteenareapttothinkso，andperhapsitisawisearrangement；for，beingfondofturningsomersaults，theyhaveanopportunityofindulginginagoodone，metaphoricallyspeaking，when，threeorfouryearslater，theybecometheabjectslavesof\"thosebotheringgirls。\"
\"Lookhere!howamIgoingtoknowthecreature？Ineversawher，andsheneversawme。You\'llhavetocometoo，Fan，\"headded，pausingonhiswaytothedoor，arrestedbytheawfulideathathemighthavetoaddressseveralstrangegirlsbeforehegottherightone。
\"You\'llfindhereasyenough；she\'llprobablybestandingroundlookingforus。Idaresayshe\'llknowyou，thoughI\'mnotthere，becauseI\'vedescribedyoutoher。\"
\"Guessshewon\'t，then；\"andTomgaveahastysmoothtohiscurlypateandaglanceatthemirror，feelingsurethathissisterhadn\'tdonehimjustice。Sistersneverdo，as\"wefellows\"knowtoowell。
\"Dogoalong，oryou\'llbetoolate；andthen，whatwillPollythinkofme？\"criedFanny，withtheimpatientpokewhichispeculiarlyaggravatingtomasculinedignity。
\"She\'llthinkyoucaredmoreaboutyourfrizzlesthanyourfriends，andshe\'llbeaboutright，too。\"
Feelingthathesaidratheraneatandcuttingthing，Tomsaunteredleisurelyaway，perfectlyconsciousthatitwaslate，butbentonnotbeinghurriedwhileinsight，thoughheranhimselfoffhislegstomakeupforitafterward。
\"IfIwasthePresident，I\'dmakealawtoshutupallboystilltheyweregrown；fortheycertainlyarethemostprovokingtoadsintheworld，\"
saidFanny，asshewatchedtheslouchyfigureofherbrotherstrollingdownthestreet。Shemighthavechangedhermind，however，ifshehadfollowedhim，forassoonasheturnedthecorner，hiswholeaspectaltered；hishandscameoutofhispockets，hestoppedwhistling，buttonedhisjacket，gavehiscapapull，andwentoffatagreatpace。
Thetrainwasjustinwhenhereachedthestation，pantinglikearace-horse，andasredasalobsterwiththewindandtherun。
\"Supposeshe\'llwearatop-knotandathingumbob，likeeveryoneelse；
andhowevershallIknowher？ToobadofFantomakemecomealone!\"thoughtTom，ashestoodwatchingthecrowdstreamthroughthedepot，andfeelingratherdauntedatthearrayofyoungladieswhopassed。Asnoneofthemseemedlookingforanyone，hedidnotaccostthem，buteyedeachnewbatchwiththeairofamartyr。\"That\'sher，\"hesaidtohimself，ashepresentlycaughtsightofagirlingorgeousarray，standingwithherhandsfolded，andaverysmallhatperchedonthetopofaverylarge\"chig-non，\"asTompronouncedit。\"IsupposeI\'vegottospeaktoher，soheregoes；\"
and，nervinghimselftothetask，Tomslowlyapproachedthedamsel，wholookedasifthewindhadblownherclothesintorags，suchaflappingofsashes，scallops，ruffles，curls，andfeatherswasthere。
\"Isay，ifyouplease，isyournamePollyMilton？\"meeklyaskedTom，pausingbeforethebreezystranger。
\"No，itisn\'t，\"answeredtheyounglady，withacoolstarethatutterlyquenchedhim。
\"Whereinthunderisshe？\"growledTom，walkingoffinhighdudgeon。
Thequicktapoffeetbehindhimmadehimturnintimetoseeafresh-facedlittlegirlrunningdownthelongstation，andlookingasifsheratherlikedit。Asshesmiled，andwavedherbagathim，hestoppedandwaitedforher，sayingtohimself，\"Hullo!Iwonderifthat\'sPolly？\"
Upcamethelittlegirl，withherhandout，andahalf-shy，half-merrylookinherblueeyes，asshesaid，inquiringly，\"ThisisTom，isn\'tit？\"
\"Yes。Howdidyouknow？\"andTomgotovertheordealofhand-shakingwithoutthinkingofit，hewassosurprised。
\"Oh，Fantoldmeyou\'dgotcurlyhair，andafunnynose，andkeptwhistling，andworeagraycappulledoveryoureyes；soIknewyoudirectly。\"AndPollynoddedathiminthemostfriendlymanner，havingpolitelyrefrainedfromcallingthehair\"red，\"thenose\"apug，\"andthecap\"old，\"­；allofwhichfactsFannyhadcarefullyimpresseduponhermemory。
\"Whereareyourtrunks？\"askedTom，ashewasremindedofhisdutybyherhandinghimthebag，whichhehadnotofferedtotake。
\"Fathertoldmenottowaitforanyone，elseI\'dlosemychanceofahack；soIgavemychecktoaman，andthereheiswithmytrunk；\"andPollywalkedoffafterheronemodestpieceofbaggage，followedbyTom，whofeltatrifledepressedbyhisownremissnessinpoliteattentions。
\"Sheisn\'tabitofayounglady，thankgoodness!Fandidn\'ttellmeshewaspretty。Don\'tlooklikecitygirls，noractlike\'em，neither，\"
hethought，trudgingintherear，andeyeingwithfavorthebrowncurlsbobbingalonginfront。
Asthecarriagedroveoff，Pollygavealittlebounceonthespringyseat，andlaughedlikeadelightedchild。\"Idoliketorideinthesenicehacks，andseeallthefinethings，andhaveagoodtime，don\'tyou？\"shesaid，composingherselfthenextminute，asifitsuddenlyoccurredtoherthatshewasgoinga-visiting。
\"Notmuch，\"saidTom，notmindingwhathesaid，forthefactthathewasshutupwiththestrangegirlsuddenlyoppressedhissoul。
\"How\'sFan？Whydidn\'tshecome，too？\"askedPolly，tryingtolookdemure，whilehereyesdancedinspiteofher。
\"Afraidofspoilinghercrinkles；\"andTomsmiled，forthisbasebetrayalofconfidencemadehimfeelhisownmanagain。
\"YouandIdon\'tminddampness。I\'mmuchobligedtoyouforcomingtotakecareofme。\"
ItwaskindofPollytosaythat，andTomfeltit；forhisredcropwasatenderpoint，andtobeassociatedwithPolly\'sprettybrowncurlsseemedtolessenitscopperyglow。Thenhehadn\'tdoneanythingforherbutcarrythebagafewsteps；yet，shethankedhim。Hefeltgrateful，andinaburstofconfidence，offeredahandfulofpeanuts，forhispocketswerealwayssuppliedwiththisagreeabledelicacy，andhemightbetracedanywherebythetrailofshellsheleftbehindhim。
Assoonashehaddoneit，herememberedthatFannyconsideredthemvulgar，andfeltthathehaddisgracedhisfamily。Sohestuckhisheadoutofthewindow，andkeptittheresolong，thatPollyaskedifanythingwasthematter。\"Pooh!whocaresforacountrifiedlittlethinglikeher，\"
saidTommanfullytohimself；andthenthespiritofmischiefenteredinandtookpossessionofhim。
\"He\'sprettydrunk；butIguesshecanholdhishorses，\"repliedthisevil-mindedboy，withanairofcalmresignation。
\"Isthemantipsy？Oh，dear!let\'sgetout!Arethehorsesbad？It\'sverysteephere；doyouthinkit\'ssafe？\"criedpoorPolly，makingacockedhatofherlittlebeaver，bythrustingitoutofthehalf-openwindowonherside。
\"There\'splentyoffolkstopickusupifanythinghappens；butperhapsitwouldbesaferifIgotoutandsatwiththeman；\"andTomquitebeamedwiththebrilliancyofthissuddenmodeofrelief。
\"Oh，do，ifyouain\'tafraid!Motherwouldbesoanxiousifanythingshouldhappentome，sofaraway!\"criedPolly，muchdistressed。
\"Don\'tyoubeworried。I\'llmanagetheoldchap，andthehorsestoo；\"
andopeningthedoor，Tomvanishedaloft，leavingpoorvictimizedPollytoquakeinside，whileheplacidlyrevelledinfreedomandpeanutsoutside，withthestaidolddriver。
Fannycameflyingdowntomeether\"darlingPolly，\"asTompresentedher，withthegracefulremark，\"I\'vegother!\"andtheairofadauntlesshunter，producingthetrophiesofhisskill。Pollywasinstantlywhiskedupstairs；andhavingdancedadouble-shuffleonthedoor-mat，Tomretiredtothedining-room，torestoreexhaustednaturewithhalfadozencookies。
\"Ain\'tyoutiredtodeath？Don\'tyouwanttoliedown？\"saidFanny，sittingonthesideofthebedinPolly\'sroom，andchatteringhard，whilesheexaminedeverythingherfriendhadon。
\"Notabit。Ihadanicetimecoming，andnotrouble，exceptthetipsycoachman；butTomgotoutandkepthiminorder，soIwasn\'tmuchfrightened，\"
answeredinnocentPolly，takingoffherrough-and-readycoat，andtheplainhatwithoutabitofafeather。
\"Fiddlestick!hewasn\'ttipsy；andTomonlydidittogetoutoftheway。Hecan\'tbeargirls，\"saidFanny，withasuperiorair。
\"Can\'the？Why，Ithoughthewasverypleasantandkind!\"andPollyopenedhereyeswithasurprisedexpression。
\"He\'sanawfulboy，mydear；andifyouhaveanythingtodowithhim，he\'lltormentyoutodeath。Boysareallhorrid；buthe\'sthehorridestoneIeversaw。\"
Fannywenttoafashionableschool，wheretheyoungladiesweresobusywiththeirFrench，German，andItalian，thattherewasnotimeforgoodEnglish。Feelingherconfidencemuchshakenintheyouth，Pollyprivatelyresolvedtolethimalone，andchangedtheconversation，bysaying，asshelookedadmiringlyaboutthelarge，handsomeroom，\"Howsplendiditis!Ineversleptinabedwithcurtainsbefore，orhadsuchafinetoilet-tableasthis。\"
\"I\'mgladyoulikeit；butdon\'t，formercysake，saysuchthingsbeforetheothergirls!\"repliedFanny，wishingPollywouldwearear-rings，aseveryoneelsedid。
\"Whynot？\"askedthecountrymouseofthecitymouse，wonderingwhatharmtherewasinlikingotherpeople\'sprettythings，andsayingso。
\"Oh，theylaughateverythingtheleastbitodd，andthatisn\'tpleasant。\"
Fannydidn\'tsay\"countrified，\"butshemeantit，andPollyfeltuncomfortable。
Sosheshookoutherlittleblacksilkapronwithathoughtfulface，andresolvednottoalludetoherownhome，ifshecouldhelpit。
\"I\'msopoorly，mammasaysIneedn\'tgotoschoolregularly，whileyouarehere，­；onlytwoorthreetimesaweek，justtokeepupmymusicandFrench。Youcangotoo，ifyoulike；papasaidso。Do，it\'ssuchfun!\"
criedFanny，quitesurprisingherfriendbythisunexpectedfondnessforschool。
\"Ishouldbeafraid，ifallthegirlsdressasfinelyasyoudo，andknowasmuch，\"saidPolly，beginningtofeelshyatthethought。
\"La，child!youneedn\'tmindthat。I\'lltakecareofyou，andfixyouup，soyouwon\'tlookodd。\"
\"AmIodd？\"askedPolly，struckbythewordandhopingitdidn\'tmeananythingverybad。
\"Youareadear，andeversomuchprettierthanyouwerelastsummer，onlyyou\'vebeenbroughtupdifferentlyfromus；soyourwaysain\'tlikeours，yousee，\"beganFanny，findingitratherhardtoexplain。
\"Howdifferent？\"askedPollyagain，forshelikedtounderstandthings。
\"Well，youdresslikealittlegirl，foronething。\"
\"Iamalittlegirl；sowhyshouldn\'tI？\"andPollylookedathersimplebluemerinofrock，stoutboots，andshorthair，withapuzzledair。
\"Youarefourteen；andweconsiderourselvesyoungladiesatthatage，\"continuedFanny，surveying，withcomplacency，thepileofhaironthetopofherhead，withafringeoffuzzroundherforehead，andawavylockstreamingdownherback；likewise，herscarlet-and-blacksuit，withitsbigsash，littlepannier，brightbuttons，points，rosettes，­；and，heavenknowswhat。Therewasalocketonherneck，earringstinklinginherears，watchandchainatherbelt，andseveralringsonapairofhandsthatwouldhavebeenimprovedbysoapandwater。
Polly\'seyewentfromonelittlefiguretotheother，andshethoughtthatFannylookedtheoddestofthetwo；forPollylivedinaquietcountrytown，andknewverylittleofcityfashions。Shewasratherimpressedbytheeleganceabouther，neverhavingseenFanny\'shomebefore，astheygotacquaintedwhileFannypaidavisittoafriendwholivednearPolly。
Butshedidn\'tletthecontrastbetweenherselfandFantroubleher；forinaminuteshelaughedandsaid，contentedly，\"Mymotherlikesmetodresssimply，andIdon\'tmind。Ishouldn\'tknowwhattodoriggedupasyouare。Don\'tyoueverforgettoliftyoursashandfixthosepuffythingswhenyousitdown？\"
BeforeFannycouldanswer，ascreamfrombelowmadebothlisten。\"It\'sonlyMaud；shefussesalldaylong，\"beganFanny；andthewordswerehardlyoutofhermouth，whenthedoorwasthrownopen，andalittlegirl，ofsixorseven，cameroaringin。ShestoppedatsightofPolly，staredaminute，thentookupherroarjustwheresheleftit，andcastherselfintoFanny\'slap，exclaimingwrathfully，\"Tom\'slaughingatme!Makehimstop!\"
\"Whatdidyoudotosethimgoing？Don\'tscreamso，you\'llfrightenPolly!\"andFangavethecherubashake，whichproducedanexplanation。
\"Ionlysaidwehadcoldcweamattheparty，lastnight，andhelaughed!\"
\"Ice-cream，child!\"andFannyfollowedTom\'sreprehensibleexample。
\"Idon\'tcare!itwascold；andIwarmedmineatthewegister，andthenitwasnice；only，WillyBlissspiltitonmynewGabwielle!\"
andMaudwailedagainoverheraccumulatedwoes。
\"DogotoKaty!You\'reascrossasalittlebearto-day!\"saidFanny，pushingheraway。
\"Katydon\'tamooseme；andImustbeamoosed，\'causeI\'mfwactious；
mammasaidIwas!\"sobbedMaud，evidentlylaboringunderthedelusionthatfractiousnesswassomeinterestingmalady。
\"Comedownandhavedinner；thatwillamuseyou；\"andFannygotup，plumingherselfasabirddoesbeforeitsflight。
Pollyhopedthe\"dreadfulboy\"wouldnotbepresent；buthewas，andstaredatheralldinner-time，inamosttryingmanner。Mr。Shaw，abusy-lookinggentleman，said，\"Howdoyoudo，mydear？Hopeyou\'llenjoyyourself；\"
andthenappearedtoforgetherentirely。Mrs。Shaw，apale，nervouswoman，greetedherlittleguestkindly，andtookcarethatshewantedfornothing。
MadamShaw，aquietoldlady，withanimposingcap，exclaimedonseeingPolly，\"Blessmyheart!theimageofhermother­；asweetwoman­；howisshe，dear？\"andkeptpeeringatthenew-comeroverherglasses，till，betweenMadamandTom，poorPollylostherappetite。
Fannychattedlikeamagpie，andMaudfidgeted，tillTomproposedtoputherunderthebigdish-cover，whichproducedsuchanexplosion，thattheyoungladywasbornescreamingaway，bythemuch-enduringKaty。Itwasaltogetheranuncomfortabledinner，andPollywasverygladwhenitwasover。Theyallwentabouttheirownaffairs；andafterdoingthehonorsofthehouse，Fanwascalledtothedressmaker，leavingPollytoamuseherselfinthegreatdrawing-room。
Pollywasgladtobealoneforafewminutes；and，havingexaminedalltheprettythingsabouther，begantowalkupanddownoverthesoft，flowerycarpet，hummingtoherself，asthedaylightfaded，andonlytheruddyglowofthefirefilledtheroom。PresentlyMadamcameslowlyin，andsatdowninherarm-chair，saying，\"That\'safineoldtune；singittome，mydear。
Ihaven\'thearditthismanyaday。\"
Pollydidn\'tliketosingbeforestrangers，forshehadhadnoteachingbutsuchasherbusymothercouldgiveher；butshehadbeentaughttheutmostrespectforoldpeople，andhavingnoreasonforrefusing，shedirectlywenttothepiano，anddidasshewasbid。
\"That\'sthesortofmusicit\'sapleasuretohear。Singsomemore，dear，\"saidMadam，inhergentleway，whenshehaddone。
Pleasedwiththispraise，Pollysangawayinafreshlittlevoice，thatwentstraighttothelistener\'sheartandnestledthere。ThesweetoldtunesthatoneisnevertiredofwereallPolly\'sstore；andherfavoriteswereScotchairs，suchas，\"Yellow-HairedLaddie，\"\"Jocko\'Hazeldean，\"
\"DownamongtheHeather，\"and\"BirksofAberfeldie。\"Themoreshesung，thebettershedidit；andwhenshewoundupwith\"AHealthtoKingCharlie，\"
theroomquiterungwiththestirringmusicmadebythebigpianoandthelittlemaid。
\"ByGeorge，that\'sajollytune!Singitagain，please，\"criedTom\'svoice；andtherewasTom\'sredheadbobbingupoverthehighbackofthechairwherehehadhiddenhimself。
ItgavePollyquiteaturn，forshethoughtnoonewashearingherbuttheoldladydozingbythefire。\"Ican\'tsinganymore；I\'mtired，\"shesaid，andwalkedawaytoMadamintheotherroom。Theredheadvanishedlikeameteor，forPolly\'stonehadbeendecidedlycool。
Theoldladyputoutherhand，anddrawingPollytoherknee，lookedintoherfacewithsuchkindeyes，thatPollyforgottheimpressivecap，andsmiledatherconfidingly；forshesawthathersimplemusichadpleasedherlistener，andshefeltgladtoknowit。
\"Youmustn\'tmindmystaring，dear，\"saidMadam，softlypinchingherrosycheek。\"Ihaven\'tseenalittlegirlforsolong，itdoesmyoldeyesgoodtolookatyou。\"
Pollythoughtthataveryoddspeech，andcouldn\'thelpsaying，\"Aren\'tFanandMaudlittlegirls，too？\"
\"Oh，dear，no!notwhatIcalllittlegirls。Fanhasbeenayoungladythistwoyears，andMaudisaspoiledbaby。Yourmother\'saverysensiblewoman，mychild。\"
\"Whataveryqueeroldlady!\"thoughtPolly；butshesaid\"Yes\'m\"respectfully，andlookedatthefire。
\"Youdon\'tunderstandwhatImean，doyou？\"askedMadam，stillholdingherbythechin。
\"No\'m；notquite。\"
\"Well，dear，I\'lltellyou。Inmyday，childrenoffourteenandfifteendidn\'tdressintheheightofthefashion；gotoparties，asnearlylikethoseofgrownpeopleasit\'spossibletomakethem；leadidle，giddy，unhealthylives，andgetblasé；attwenty。Wewerelittlefolkstilleighteenorso；workedandstudied，dressedandplayed，likechildren；honoredourparents；andourdaysweremuchlongerinthelandthannow，itseemsto，me。\"
TheoldladyappearedtoforgetPollyattheendofherspeech；forshesatpattingtheplumplittlehandthatlayinherown，andlookingupatafadedpictureofanoldgentlemanwitharuffledshirtandaqueue。
\"Washeyourfather，Madam？
\"Yes，dear；myhonoredfather。Ididuphisfrillstothedayofhisdeath；andthefirstmoneyIeverearnedwasfivedollarswhichheofferedasaprizetowhicheverofhissixgirlswouldlaythehandsomestdarninhissilkstockings。\"
\"Howproudyoumusthavebeen!\"criedPolly，leaningontheoldlady\'skneewithaninterestedface。
\"Yes，andwealllearnedtomakebread，andcook，andworelittlechintzgowns，andwereasgayandheartyaskittens。Alllivedtobegrandmothersandfathers；andI\'mthelast，­；seventy，nextbirthday，mydear，andnotwornoutyet；thoughdaughterShawisaninvalidatforty。\"
\"That\'sthewayIwasbroughtup，andthat\'swhyFancallsmeold-fashioned，Isuppose。Tellmoreaboutyourpapa，please；Ilikeit，\"saidPolly。
\"Say\'father。\'Wenevercalledhimpapa；andifoneofmybrothershadaddressedhimas\'governor，\'asboysdonow，Ireallythinkhe\'dhavehimcutoffwithashilling。\"
Madamraisedhervoiceinsayingthis，andnoddedsignificantly；butamildsnorefromtheotherroomseemedtoassureherthatitwasawasteofshottofireinthatdirection。
Beforeshecouldcontinue，incameFannywiththejoyfulnewsthatClaraBirdhadinvitedthembothtogotothetheatrewithherthatveryevening，andwouldcallforthematseveno\'clock。Pollywassoexcitedbythissuddenplungeintothedissipationsofcitylife，thatsheflewaboutlikeadistractedbutterfly，andhardlyknewwhathappened，tillshefoundherselfseatedbeforethegreatgreencurtaininthebrillianttheatre。OldMr。
Birdsatononeside，Fannyontheother，andbothletheralone，forwhichshewasverygrateful，asherwholeattentionwassoabsorbedinthescenearoundher，thatshecouldn\'ttalk。
Pollyhadneverbeenmuchtothetheatre；andthefewplaysshehadseenwerethegoodoldfairytales，dramatizedtosuityoungbeholders，­；lively，bright，andfulloftheharmlessnonsensewhichbringsthelaughwithouttheblush。Thatnightshesawoneofthenewspectacleswhichhavelatelybecometherage，andrunforhundredsofnights，dazzling，exciting，anddemoralizingthespectatorbyeveryallurementFrenchingenuitycaninvent，andAmericanprodigalityexecute。Nevermindwhatitsnamewas，itwasverygorgeous，veryvulgar，andveryfashionable；so，ofcourse，itwasmuchadmired，andeveryonewenttoseeit。Atfirst，Pollythoughtshehadgotintofairy-land，andsawonlythesparklingcreatureswhodancedandsunginaworldoflightandbeauty；but，presently，shebegantolistentothesongsandconversation，andthentheillusionvanished；forthelovelyphantomssangnegromelodies，talkedslang，andwereadisgracetothegoodold-fashionedelveswhomsheknewandlovedsowell。
Ourlittlegirlwastooinnocenttounderstandhalfthejokes，andoftenwonderedwhatpeoplewerelaughingat；but，asthefirstenchantmentsubsided，Pollybegantofeeluncomfortable，tobesurehermotherwouldn\'tliketohaveherthere，andtowishshehadn\'tcome。Somehow，thingsseemedtogetworseandworse，astheplaywenton；foroursmallspectatorwasbeingrapidlyenlightenedbythegossipgoingonallabouther，aswellasbyherownquickeyesandgirlishinstincts。Whenfour-and-twentygirls，dressedasjockeys，cameprancingontothestage，crackingtheirwhips，stampingtheheelsoftheirtopboots，andwinkingattheaudience，Pollydidnotthinkitatallfunny，butlookeddisgusted，andwasgladwhentheyweregone；butwhenanothersetappearedinacostumeconsistingofgauzewings，andabitofgoldfringeroundthewaist，poorunfashionablePollydidn\'tknowwhattodo；forshefeltbothfrightenedandindignant，andsatwithhereyesonherplay-bill，andhercheeksgettinghotterandhottereveryminute。
\"Whatareyoublushingsofor？\"askedFanny，asthepaintedsylphsvanished。
\"I\'msoashamedofthosegirls，\"whisperedPolly，takingalongbreathofrelief。
\"Youlittlegoose，­；it\'sjustthewayitwasdoneinParis，andthedancingissplendid。Itseemsqueeratfirst；butyou\'llgetusedtoit，asIdid。\"
\"I\'llnevercomeagain，\"saidPolly，decidedly；forherinnocentnaturerebelledagainstthespectacle，which，asyet，gavehermorepainthanpleasure。Shedidnotknowhoweasyitwasto\"getusedtoit，\"asFannydid；anditwaswellforherthatthetemptationwasnotoftenoffered。
Shecouldnotexplainthefeeling；butshewasgladwhentheplaywasdone，andtheyweresafeathome，wherekindgrandmawaswaitingtoseethemcomfortablyintobed。
\"Didyouhaveagoodtime，dear？\"sheasked，lookingatPolly\'sfeverishcheeksandexcitedeyes。
\"Idon\'twishtoberude，butIdidn\'t，\"answeredPolly。\"Someofitwassplendid；butagooddealofitmademewanttogoundertheseat。
Peopleseemedtolikeit，butIdon\'tthinkitwasproper。\"
AsPollyfreedhermind，andemphasizedheropinionwithadecidedrapofthebootshehadjusttakenoff，Fannylaughed，andsaid，whileshepirouettedabouttheroom，likeMademoiselleTherese，\"Pollywasshocked，grandma。Hereyeswereasbigassaucers。herfaceasredasmysash，andonceIthoughtshewasgoingtocry。Someofitwasratherqueer；
but，ofcourse，itwasproper，oralloursetwouldn\'tgo。IheardMrs。
SmythePerkinssay，\'Itwascharming；solikedearParis；\'andshehaslivedabroad；so，ofcourse，sheknowswhatiswhat。\"
\"Idon\'tcareifshehas。Iknowitwasn\'tproperforlittlegirlstosee，orIshouldn\'thavebeensoashamed!\"criedsturdyPolly，perplexed，butnotconvinced，evenbyMrs。SmythePerkins。
\"Ithinkyouareright，mydear；butyouhavelivedinthecountry，andhaven\'tyetlearnedthatmodestyhasgoneoutoffashion。\"Andwithagood-nightkiss，grandmaleftPollytodreamdreadfullyofdancinginjockeycostume，onagreatstage；whileTomplayedabigdrumintheorchestra；
andtheaudienceallworethefacesofherfatherandmother，lookingsorrowfullyather，witheyeslikesaucers，andfacesasredasFanny\'ssash。ChapterII。ChapterII。CHAPTERIINEWFASHIONS\"I\'Mgoingtoschoolthismorning；socomeupandgetready，\"saidFanny，adayortwoafter，assheleftthelatebreakfast-table。
\"Youlookverynice；whathaveyougottodo？\"askedPolly，followingherintothehall。
\"Prinkhalfanhour，andputonherwad，\"answeredtheirreverentTom，whosepreparationsforschoolconsistedinflinginghiscapontohishead，andstrappingupseveralbigbooks，thatlookedasiftheyweresometimesusedasweaponsofdefence。
\"Whatisawad？\"askedPolly，whileFannymarchedupwithoutdeigninganyreply。
\"Somebody\'shaironthetopofherheadintheplacewhereitoughtnottobe；\"andTomwentwhistlingawaywithanairofsublimeindifferenceastothestateofhisown\"curlypow。\"
\"Whymustyoubesofinetogotoschool？\"askedPolly，watchingFanarrangethelittlefrizzlesonherforehead，andsettlethevariousstreamersandfestoonsbelongingtoherdress。
\"Allthegirlsdo；andit\'sproper，foryouneverknowwhoyoumaymeet。I\'mgoingtowalk，aftermylessons，soIwishyou\'dwearyourbesthatandsack，\"answeredFanny，tryingtostickherownhatonatananglewhichdefiedallthelawsofgravitation。
\"Iwill，ifyoudon\'tthinkthisisniceenough。Iliketheotherbest，becauseithasafeather；butthisiswarmer，soIweariteveryday。\"
AndPollyranintoherownroom，toprinkalso，fearingthatherfriendmightbeashamedofherplaincostume。\"Won\'tyourhandsbecoldinkidgloves？\"shesaid，astheywentdownthesnowystreet，withanorthwindblowingintheirfaces。
\"Yes，horridcold；butmymuffissobig，Iwon\'tcarryit。Mammawon\'thaveitcutup，andmyermineonemustbekeptforbest；\"andFannysmoothedherBismarkkidswithaninjuredair。
\"Isupposemygraysquirreliseversomuchtoobig；butit\'sniceandcosy，andyoumaywarmyourhandsinitifyouwantto，\"saidPolly，surveyinghernewwoollengloveswithadissatisfiedlook，thoughshehadthoughtthemquiteelegantbefore。
\"PerhapsIwill，byandby。Now，Polly，don\'tyoubeshy。I\'llonlyintroducetwoorthreeofthegirls；andyouneedn\'tmindoldMonsieurabit，orreadifyoudon\'twantto。Weshallbeintheanteroom；soyou\'llonlyseeaboutadozen，andtheywillbesobusy，theywon\'tmindyoumuch。\"
\"IguessIwon\'tread，butsitandlookon。Iliketowatchpeople，everythingissonewandqueerhere。\"
ButPollydidfeelandlookveryshy，whenshewasusheredintoaroomfullofyoungladies，astheyseemedtoher，allverymuchdressed，alltalkingtogether，andallturningtoexaminethenew-comerwithacoolstarewhichseemedtobeasmuchthefashionaseye-glasses。TheynoddedaffablywhenFannyintroducedher，saidsomethingcivil，andmaderoomforheratthetableroundwhichtheysatwaitingforMonsieur。SeveralofthemorefrolicsomewereimitatingtheGrecianBend，somewereputtingtheirheadstogetheroverlittlenotes，nearlyallwereeatingconfectionery，andtheentiretwelvechatteredlikemagpies。Beingpolitelysuppliedwithcaramels，Pollysatlookingandlistening，feelingveryyoungandcountrifiedamongtheseelegantyoungladies。
\"Girls，doyouknowthatCarriehasgoneabroad？Therehasbeensomuchtalk，herfathercouldn\'tbearit，andtookthewholefamilyoff。Isn\'tthatgay？\"saidonelivelydamsel，whohadjustcomein。
\"Ishouldthinkthey\'dbettergo。Mymammasays，ifI\'dbeengoingtothatschool，she\'dhavetakenmestraightaway，\"answeredanothergirl，withanimportantair。
\"CarrieranawaywithanItalianmusic-teacher，anditgotintothepapers，andmadeagreatstir，\"explainedthefirstspeakertoPolly，wholookedmystified。
\"Howdreadful!\"criedPolly。
\"Ithinkitwasfun。Shewasonlysixteen，andhewasperfectlysplendid；andshehasplentyofmoney，andeveryonetalkedaboutit；andwhenshewentanywhere，peoplelooked，youknow，andshelikedit；butherpapaisanoldpoke，sohe\'ssentthemallaway。It\'stoobad，forshewasthejolliestthingIeverknew。\"
PollyhadnothingtosaytolivelyMissBelle；butFannyobserved，\"I
liketoreadaboutsuchthings；butit\'ssoinconvenienttohaveithappenrighthere，becauseitmakesitharderforus。Iwishyoucouldhaveheardmypapagoon。Hethreatenedtosendamaidtoschoolwithmeeveryday，astheydoinNewYork，tobesureIcomeallright。Didyouever？\"
\"That\'sbecauseitcameoutthatCarrieusedtoforgeexcusesinhermamma\'sname，andgopromenadingwithherOreste，whentheythoughthersafeatschool。Oh，wasn\'tsheaslyminx？\"criedBelle，asifsheratheradmiredthetrick。
\"Ithinkalittlefunisallright；andthere\'snoneedofmakingatalk，if，nowandthen，someonedoesrunofflikeCarrie。Boysdoastheylike；andIdon\'tseewhygirlsneedtobekeptsodreadfullyclose。
I\'dliketoseeanybodywatchingandguardingme!\"addedanotherdashingyounglady。
\"Itwouldtakeapolicemantodothat，Trix，oralittlemaninatallhat，\"saidFanny，slyly，whichcausedagenerallaugh，andmadeBeatricetossherheadcoquettishly。
\"Oh，haveyouread\'ThePhantomBride\'？It\'sperfectlythrilling!There\'saregularrushforitatthelibrary；butsomeprefer\'BreakingaButterfly。\'
Whichdoyoulikebest？\"askedapalegirlofPolly，inoneofthemomentarylullswhichoccurred。
\"Ihaven\'treadeither。\"
\"Youmust，then。IadoreGuyLivingston\'sbooks，andYates\'s。\'Ouida\'s\'
aremydelight，onlytheyaresolong，IgetwornoutbeforeI\'mthrough。\"
\"Ihaven\'treadanythingbutoneoftheMuhlbachnovelssinceIcame。
Ilikethose，becausethereishistoryinthem，\"saidPolly，gladtohaveawordtosayforherself。
\"Thosearewellenoughforimprovingreading；butIlikerealexcitingnovels；don\'tyou？\"
Pollywassparedthemortificationofowningthatshehadneverreadany，bytheappearanceofMousieur，agray-headedoldFrenchman，whowentthroughhistaskwiththeresignedairofonewhowasusedtobeingthevictimofgigglingschool-girls。Theyoungladiesgabbledoverthelesson，wroteanexercise，andreadalittleFrenchhistory。Butitdidnotseemtomakemuchimpressionuponthem，thoughMonsieurwasveryreadytoexplain；
andPollyquiteblushedforherfriend，when，onbeingaskedwhatfamousFrenchmanfoughtinourRevolution，sheansweredLamartine，insteadofLafayette。
Thehourwassoonover；andwhenFanhadtakenamusiclessoninanotherroom，whilePollylookedon，itwastimeforrecess。Theyoungergirlswalkedupanddownthecourt，arminarm，eatingbreadanbutter；othersstayedintheschool-roomtoreadandgossip；butBelle，Trix，andFannywenttolunchatafashionableice-creamsaloonnearby，andPollymeeklyfollowed，notdaringtohintattheginger-breadgrandmahadputinherpocketforluncheon。Sothehonest，browncookiescrumbledawayinobscurity，whilePollytriedtosatisfyherheartyappetiteononeiceandthreemacaroons。
Thegirlsseemedingreatspirits，particularlyaftertheywerejoinedbyashortgentlemanwithsuchayoungfacethatPollywouldhavecalledhimaboy，ifhehadnotwornatallbeaver。Escortedbythisimpressiveyouth，Fannyleftherunfortunatefriendstoreturntoschool，andwenttowalk，asshecalledaslowpromenadedownthemostcrowdedstreets。