Pollydiscreetlyfellbehind，andamusedherselflookingintoshop-windows，tillFanny，mindfulofhermanners，evenatsuchaninterestingtime，tookherintoapicturegallery，andbadeherenjoytheworksofartwhiletheyrested。ObedientPollywentthroughtheroomseveraltimes，apparentlyexaminingthepictureswiththeinterestofaconnoisseur，andtryingnottohearthemildprattleofthepairontheroundseat。Butshecouldn\'thelpwonderingwhatFanfoundsoabsorbinginanaccountofarecentGerman，andwhysheneedpromisesosolemnlynottoforgettheconcertthatafternoon。
WhenFannyroseatlast，Polly\'stiredfacereproachedher；andtakingahastyleaveofthesmallgentleman，sheturnedhomeward，saying，confidentially，assheputonehandinPolly\'smuff，\"Now，mydear，youmustn\'tsayawordaboutFrankMoore，orpapawilltakemyheadoff。Idon\'tcareabitforhim，andhelikesTrix；onlytheyhavequarrelled，andhewantstomakehermadbyflirtingalittlewithme。Iscoldedhimwell，andhepromisedtomakeupwithher。Weallgototheafternoonconcerts，andhaveagaytime，andBelleandTrixaretobethereto-day；sojustkeepquiet，andeverythingwillbeallright。\"
\"I\'mafraiditwon\'t，\"beganPolly，who，notbeingusedtosecrets，founditveryhardtokeepevenasmallone。
\"Don\'tworry，child。It\'snoneofourbusiness；sowecangoandenjoythemusic，andifotherpeopleflirt，itwon\'tbeourfault，\"saidFanny，impatiently。
\"Ofcoursenot；but，then，ifyourfatherdon\'tlikeyoutodoso，oughtyoutogo？\"
\"Itellmamma，andshedon\'tcare。Papaisfussy，andgrandmamakesastirabouteveryblessedthingIdo。Youwillholdyourtongue，won\'tyou？\"
\"Yes；Itrulywill；Inevertelltales。\"AndPollykeptherword，feelingsureFandidn\'tmeantodeceiveherfather，sinceshetoldhermothereverything。
\"Whoareyougoingwith？\"askedMrs。Shaw，whenFannymentionedthatitwasconcert-day，justbeforethreeo\'clock。
\"OnlyPolly；shelikesmusic，anditwassostormyIcouldn\'tgolastweek，youknow，\"answeredFan；adding，astheyleftthehouseagain，\"Ifanyonemeetsusontheway，Ican\'thelpit，canI？\"
\"Youcantellthemnotto，can\'tyou？\"
\"That\'srude。Dearme!here\'sBelle\'sbrotherGus­；healwaysgoes。Ismyhairallright，andmyhat？
BeforePollycouldanswer，Mr。Gusjoinedthemasamatterofcourse，andPollysoonfoundherselftrottingonbehind，feelingthatthingswerenot\"allright，\"thoughshedidn\'tknowhowtomendthem。Beingfondofmusic，sheignorantlysupposedthateveryoneelsewentforthatalone，andwasmuchdisturbedbythewhisperingthatwentonamongtheyoungpeopleroundher。BelleandTrixwerethereinfulldress；and，inthepausesbetweendifferentpieces，Messrs。FrankandGus，withseveralother\"splendidfellows，\"regaledtheyoungladieswithcollegegossip，andbitsofnewsfullofinterest，tojudgefromthecloseattentionpaidtotheireloquentremarks。Pollyregardedthesenoblebeingswithawe，andtheyrecognizedherexistencewiththecondescensionoftheirsex；buttheyevidentlyconsideredheronly\"aquietlittlething，\"andfindinghernotuptosocietytalk，blandlyignoredtheprettychild，anddevotedthemselvestotheyoungladies。
FortunatelyforPolly，sheforgotallabouttheminherenjoymentofthefinemusic，whichshefeltratherthanunderstood，andsatlisteningwithsuchahappyface，thatseveraltruemusic-loverswatchedhersmilingly，forherheartgaveablithewelcometothemelodywhichputthelittleinstrumentintune。Itwasduskwhentheywentout，andPollywasmuchrelievedtofindthecarriagewaitingforthem，becauseplayingthirdfiddlewasnottohertaste，andshehadhadenoughofitforoneday。
\"I\'mgladthosemenaregone；theydidworrymesotalking，whenI
wantedtohear，\"saidPolly，astheyrolledaway。
\"Whichdidyoulikebest？\"askedFanny，withalanguidairofsuperiority。
\"Theplainone，whodidn\'tsaymuch；hepickedupmymuffwhenittumbleddown，andtookcareofmeinthecrowd；theothersdidn\'tmindanythingaboutme。\"
\"Theythoughtyouwerealittlegirl，Isuppose。\"
\"Mymothersaysarealgentlemanisaspolitetoalittlegirlastoawoman；soIlikeMr。Sydneybest，becausehewaskindtome。\"
\"Whatasharpchildyouare，Polly。Ishouldn\'thavethoughtyou\'dmindthingslikethat，\"saidFanny，beginningtounderstandthattheremaybeagooddealofwomanlinesseveninalittlegirl。
\"I\'musedtogoodmanners，thoughIdoliveinthecountry，\"repliedPolly，ratherwarmly，forshedidn\'tliketobepatronizedevenbyherfriends。
\"Grandmasaysyourmotherisaperfectlady，andyouarejustlikeher；
sodon\'tgetinapassionwiththosepoorfellows，andI\'llseethattheybehavebetternexttime。Tomhasnomannersatall，andyoudon\'tcomplainofhim，\"addedFan，withalaugh。
\"Idon\'tcareifhehasn\'t；he\'saboy，andactslikeone，andIcangetonwithhimagreatdealbetterthanIcanwiththosemen。\"
FannywasjustgoingtotakePollytotaskforsaying\"thosemen\"insuchadisrespectfultone，whenbothwerestartledbyasmothered\"Cock-a-doodle-doo!\"
fromundertheoppositeseat。
\"It\'sTom!\"criedFanny；andwiththewordsouttumbledthatincorrigibleboy，redintheface，andbreathlesswithsuppressedlaughter。Seatinghimself，hesurveyedthegirlsasifwellsatisfiedwiththesuccessofhisprank，andwaitingtobecongratulateduponit。\"Didyouhearwhatweweresaying？\"demandedFanny，uneasily。
\"Oh，didn\'tI，everyword？\"AndTomexultedoverthemvisibly。
\"Didyoueverseesuchaprovokingtoad，Polly？Now，Isupposeyou\'llgoandtellpapaagreatstory。\"
\"P\'r\'apsIshall，andp\'r\'apsIshan\'t。HowPollydidhopwhenIcrowed!
Iheardhersqueal，andsawhercuddleupherfeet。\"
\"Andyouhearduspraiseyourmanners，didn\'tyou？\"askedPolly，slyly。
\"Yes，andyouliked\'em；soIwon\'ttellonyou，\"saidTom，withare-assuringnod。
\"There\'snothingtotell。\"
\"Ain\'tthere，though？Whatdoyousupposethegovernorwillsaytoyougirlsgoingonsowiththosedandies？Isawyou。\"
\"WhathastheGovernorofMassachusettstodowithus？\"askedPolly，tryingtolookasifshemeantwhatshesaid。
\"Pooh!youknowwhoImean；soyouneedn\'ttrytocatchmeup，asgrandmadoes。\"
\"Tom，I\'llmakeabargainwithyou，\"criedFanny，eagerly。\"Itwasn\'tmyfaultthatGusandFrankwerethere，andIcouldn\'thelptheirspeakingtome。IdoaswellasIcan，andpapaneedn\'tbeangry；forIbehaveeversomuchbetterthansomeofthegirls。Don\'tI，Polly？\"
\"Bargain？\"observedTom，withaneyetobusiness。
\"Ifyouwon\'tgoandmakeafuss，tellingwhatyou\'dnorighttohear­；itwassomeantohideandlisten；Ishouldthinkyou\'dbeashamedofit!­；I
\'llhelpyouteaseforyourvelocipede，andwon\'tsayawordagainstit，whenmammaandgrannybegpapanottoletyouhaveit。\"
\"Willyou？\"andTompausedtoconsidertheofferinallitsbearings。
\"Yes，andPollywillhelp；won\'tyou？\"
\"I\'drathernothaveanythingtodowithit；butI\'llbequiet，andnotdoanyharm。\"
\"Whywon\'tyou？\"askedTom，curiously。
\"Becauseitseemslikedeceiving。\"
\"Well，papaneedn\'tbesofussy，\"saidFan，petulantly。
\"AfterhearingaboutthatCarrie，andtherest，Idon\'twonderheisfussy。Whydon\'tyoutellrightout，andnotdoitanymore，ifhedon\'twantyouto？\"saidPolly，persuasively。
\"Doyougoandtellyourfatherandmothereverythingrightout？\"
\"Yes，Ido；anditsaveseversomuchtrouble。\"
\"Ain\'tyouafraidofthem？\"
\"OfcourseI\'mnot。It\'shardtotellsometimes；butit\'ssocomfortablewhenit\'sover。\"
\"Let\'s!\"wasTom\'sbriefadvice。
\"Mercyme!whatafussaboutnothing!\"saidFanny，readytocrywithvexation。
\"Tisn\'tnothing。Youknowyouareforbiddentogogallivantingroundwiththosechaps，andthat\'sthereasonyou\'reinapuckernow。Iwon\'tmakeanybargain，andIwilltell，\"returnedTom，seizedwithasuddenfitofmoralfirmness。
\"WillyouifIpromisenever，nevertodosoanymore？\"askedFanny，meekly；forwhenThomastookmattersintohisownhands，hissisterusuallysubmittedinspiteofherself。
\"I\'llthinkaboutit；andifyoubehave，maybeIwon\'tdoitatall。
Icanwatchyoubetterthanpapacan；so，ifyoutryitagain，it\'sallupwithyou，miss，\"saidTom，findingitimpossibletoresistthepleasureoftyrannizingalittlewhenhegotthechance。
\"Shewon\'t；don\'tplagueheranymore，andshewillbegoodtoyouwhenyougetintoscrapes，\"answeredPolly，withherarmroundFan。
\"Ineverdo；andifIdid，Ishouldn\'taskagirltohelpmeout。\"
\"Whynot？I\'daskyouinaminute，ifIwasintrouble，\"saidPolly，inherconfidingway。
\"Wouldyou？Well，I\'dputyouthrough，assureasmyname\'sTomShaw。
Now，then，don\'tslip，Polly，\"andMr。Thomashelpedthemoutwithunusualpoliteness，forthatfriendlylittlespeechgratifiedhim。Hefeltthatonepersonappreciatedhim；andithadagoodeffectuponmannersandtempermaderoughandbelligerentbyconstantsnubbingandopposition。
Afterteathatevening，FannyproposedthatPollyshouldshowherhowtomakemolassescandy，asitwascook\'sholiday，andthecoastwouldbeclear。Hopingtopropitiatehertormentor，FaninvitedTomtojoinintherevel，andPollybeggedthatMaudmightsitupandseethefun；soallfourdescendedtothebigkitchen，armedwithaprons，hammers，spoons，andpans，andPollyassumedcommandoftheforces。Tomwassettocrackingnuts，andMaudtopickingoutthemeats，forthecandywastobe\"tip-top。\"
FanwaitedonPollycook，whohoveredoverthekettleofboilingmolassestillherfacewasthecolorofapeony。\"Now，putinthenuts，\"shesaidatlast；andTomemptiedhisplateintothefoamysyrup，whiletheotherswatchedwithdeepinterestthemysteriousconcoctionofthiswell-belovedsweetmeat。\"Ipouritintothebutteredpan，yousee，anditcools，andthenwecaneatit，\"explainedPolly，suitingtheactiontotheword。
\"Why，it\'sallfullofshells!\"exclaimedMaud，peeringintothepan。
\"Oh，thunder!Imusthaveput\'eminbymistake，andateupthemeatswithoutthinking，\"saidTom，tryingtoconcealhisnaughtysatisfaction，asthegirlshungoverthepanwithfacesfullofdisappointmentanddespair。
\"Youdiditonpurpose，youhorridboy!I\'llneverletyouhaveanythingtodowithmyfunagain!\"criedFan，inapassion，tryingtocatchandshakehim，whilehedodgedandchuckledinhighglee。
Maudbegantowailoverherlostdelight，andPollygravelypokedatthemess，whichwasquitespoilt。Butherattentionwasspeedilydivertedbythesquabblegoingoninthecorner；forFanny，forgetfulofheryoung-ladyismandhersixteenyears，hadboxedTom\'sears，andTom，resentingtheinsult，hadforciblyseatedherinthecoal-hod，whereheheldherwithonehandwhilehereturnedthecomplimentwiththeother。Bothwereveryangry，andkepttwittingoneanotherwitheveryaggravationtheycouldinvent，astheyscoldedandscuffled，presentingamostunlovelyspectacle。
Pollywasnotamodelgirlbyanymeans，andhadherlittlepetsandtempersliketherestofus；butshedidn\'tfight，scream，andsquabblewithherbrothersandsistersinthisdisgracefulway，andwasmuchsurprisedtoseeherelegantfriendinsuchapassion。\"Oh，don\'t!Please，don\'t!
You\'llhurther，Tom!Lethimgo，Fanny!It\'snomatteraboutthecandy；
wecanmakesomemore!\"criedPolly，tryingtopartthem，andlookingsodistressed，thattheystoppedashamed，andinaminutesorrythatsheshouldseesuchadisplayoftemper。
\"Iain\'tgoingtobehustledround；soyou\'dbetterletmealone，Fan，\"
saidTom，drawingoffwithathreateningwagofthehead，adding，inadifferenttone，\"Ionlyputtheshellsinforfun，Polly。Youcookanotherkettleful，andI\'llpickyousomemeatsallfair。Willyou？\"
\"It\'sprettyhotwork，andit\'sapitytowastethings；butI\'lltryagain，ifyouwantmeto，\"saidPolly，withapatientsigh，forherarmsweretiredandherfaceuncomfortablyhot。
\"Wedon\'twantyou；getaway!\"saidMaud，shakingastickyspoonathim。
\"Keepquiet，cry-baby。I\'mgoingtostayandhelp；mayn\'tI，Polly？\"
\"Bearslikesweetthings，soyouwantsomecandy，Iguess。Whereisthemolasses？We\'veusedupalltherewasinthejug，\"saidPolly，good-naturedly，beginningagain。
\"Downcellar；I\'llgetit；\"andtakingthelampandjug，Tomdeparted，bentondoinghisdutynowlikeasaint。
Themomenthislightvanished，Fannyboltedthedoor，saying，spitefully，\"Now，wearesafefromanymoretricks。Lethimthumpandcall，itonlyserveshimright；andwhenthecandyisdone，we\'lllettherascalout。\"
\"Howcanwemakeitwithoutmolasses？\"askedPolly，thinkingthatwouldsettlethematter。
\"There\'splentyinthestore-room。No；youshan\'tlethimuptillI
\'mready。He\'sgottolearnthatI\'mnottobeshakenbyalittlechitlikehim。Makeyourcandy，andlethimalone，orI\'llgoandtellpapa，andthenTomwillgetalecture。\"
Pollythoughtitwasn\'tfair；butMaudclamoredforhercandy，andfindingshecoulddonothingtoappeaseFan，Pollydevotedhermindtohercookerytillthenutsweresafelyin，andanicepanfulsetintheyardtocool。Afewbangsatthelockeddoor，afewthreatsofvengeancefromtheprisoner，suchassettingthehouseonfire，drinkingupthewine，andmashingthejelly-pots，andthenallwassoquietthatthegirlsforgothimintheexcitingcrisisoftheirwork。
\"Hecan\'tpossiblygetoutanywhere，andassoonwe\'vecutupthecandy，we\'llunboltthedoorandrun。Comeandgetanicedishtoputitin，\"
saidFan，whenPollyproposedtogohalveswithTom，lestheshouldcomeburstinginsomehow，andseizethewhole。
Whentheycamedownwiththedishinwhichtosetforththeirtreat，andopenedtheback-doortofindit，imaginetheirdismayondiscoveringthatitwasgone，­；pan，candy，andall，­；utterlyandmysteriouslygone!
Agenerallamentarose，whenacarefulrummageleftnohopes；forthefateshadevidentlydecreedatcandywasnottoprosperonthisunpropitiousnight。
\"Thehotpanhasmeltedandsunkinthesnowperhaps，\"saidFanny，diggingintothedriftwhereitwasleft。
\"Thoseoldcatshavegotit，Iguess，\"suggestedMaud，toomuchoverwhelmedbythissecondblowtohowlasusual。
\"Thegateisn\'tlocked，andsomebeggarhasstolenit。Ihopeitwilldohimgood，\"addedPolly，turningfromherexploringexpedition。
\"IfTomcouldgetout，Ishouldthinkhe\'dcarrieditoff；butnotbeingarat，hecan\'tgothroughthebitsofwindows；soitwasn\'thim，\"saidFanny，disconsolately，forshebegantothinkthisdoublelossapunishmentforlettingangrypassionsrise，\"Let\'sopenthedoorandtellhimaboutit，\"proposedPolly。
\"He\'llcrowoverus。No；we\'llopenitandgotobed，andhecancomeoutwhenhelikes。Provokingboy!ifhehadn\'tplaguedusso，weshouldhavehadanicetime。\"
Unboltingthecellardoor，thegirlsannouncedtotheinvisiblecaptivethattheywerethrough，andthendepartedmuchdepressed。Half-wayupthesecondflight，theyallstoppedassuddenlyasiftheyhadseenaghost；
forlookingoverthebanisterswasTom\'sface，crockybuttriumphant，andineitherhandajunkofcandy，whichhewavedabovethemashevanished，withthetantalizingremark，\"Don\'tyouwishyouhadsome？\"
\"Howintheworlddidhegetout？\"criedFanny，steadyingherselfafterastartthatnearlysentallthreetumblingdownstairs。
\"Coal-hole!\"answeredaspectralvoicefromthegloomabove。
\"Goodgracious!Hemusthavepokedupthecover，climbedintothestreet，stolethecandy，andsneakedinattheshed-windowwhilewewerelookingforit。\"
\"Catsgotit，didn\'tthey？\"jeeredthevoiceinatonethatmadePollysitdownandlaughtillshecouldn\'tlaughanylonger。
\"JustgiveMaudabit，she\'ssodisappointed。FanandIaresickofit，andsowillyoube，ifyoueatitall，\"calledPolly，whenshegotherbreath。
\"Gotobed，Maudie，andlookunderyourpillowwhenyougetthere，\"
wastheoracularreplythatcamedowntothem，asTom\'sdoorclosedafterajubilantsoloonthetinpan。
Thegirlswenttobedtiredout；andMaudslumberedplacidly，huggingthestickybundle，foundwheremolassescandyisnotoftendiscovered。
Pollywasverytired，andsoonfellasleep；butFanny，whosleptwithher，layawakelongerthanusual，thinkingabouthertroubles，forherheadached，andthedissatisfactionthatfollowsangerwouldnotletherrestwiththetranquillitythatmadetherosyfaceinthelittleroundnightcapsuchapleasantsighttoseeasitlaybesideher。Thegaswasturneddown，butFannysawafigureinagraywrappercreepbyherdoor，andpresentlyreturn，pausingtolookin。\"Whoisit？\"shecried，soloudthatPollywoke。
\"Onlyme，dear，\"answeredgrandma\'smildvoice。\"PoorTomhasgotadreadfultoothache，andIcamedowntofindsomecreosoteforhim。Hetoldmenottotellyou；butIcan\'tfindthebottle，anddon\'twanttodisturbmamma。\"
\"It\'sinmycloset。OldTomwillpayforhistrickthistime，\"saidFanny，inasatisfiedtone。
\"Ithoughthe\'dgetenoughofourcandy，\"laughedPolly；andthentheyfellasleep，leavingTomtothedelightsoftoothacheandthetendermerciesofkindoldgrandma。ChapterIII。ChapterIII。CHAPTERIIIPOLLY\'STROUBLESPOLLYsoonfoundthatshewasinanewworld，aworldwherethemannersandcustomsweresodifferentfromthesimplewaysathome，thatshefeltlikeastrangerinastrangeland，andoftenwishedthatshehadnotcome。
Inthefirstplace，shehadnothingtodobutloungeandgossip，readnovels，paradethestreets，anddress；andbeforeaweekwasgone，shewasasheartilysickofallthis，asahealthypersonwouldbewhoattemptedtoliveonconfectionery。Fannylikedit，becauseshewasusedtoit，andhadneverknownanythingbetter；butPollyhad，andoftenfeltlikealittlewood-birdshutupinagildedcage。Nevertheless，shewasmuchimpressedbytheluxuriesallabouther，enjoyedthem，wishedsheownedthem，andwonderedwhytheShawswerenotahappierfamily。Shewasnotwiseenoughtoknowwherethetroublelay；shedidnotattempttosaywhichofthetwoliveswastherightone；sheonlyknewwhichshelikedbest，andsupposeditwasmerelyanotherofher\"old-fashioned\"ways。
Fanny\'sfriendsdidnotinteresthermuch；shewasratherafraidofthem，theyseemedsomucholderandwiserthanherself，eventhoseyoungerinyears。TheytalkedaboutthingsofwhichsheknewnothingandwhenFannytriedtoexplain，shedidn\'tfindtheminteresting；indeed，someofthemrathershockedandpuzzledher；sothegirlsletheralone，beingcivilwhentheymet，butevidentlyfeelingthatshewastoo\"odd\"tobelongtotheirset。ThensheturnedtoMaudforcompanionship，forherownlittlesisterwasexcellentcompany，andPollylovedherdearly。ButMissMaudwasmuchabsorbedinherownaffairs，forshebelongedtoa\"set\"also；
andthesemitesoffiveandsixhadtheir\"musicals，\"theirparties，receptions，andpromenades，aswellastheirelders；and，thechiefideaoftheirlittlelivesseemedtobetoapethefashionablefolliestheyshouldhavebeentooinnocenttounderstand。Maudhadhertinycard-case，andpaidcalls，\"likemammaandFan\"；herboxofdaintygloves，herjewel-drawer，hercrimping-pins，asfineandfancifulawardrobeasaParisdoll，andaFrenchmaidtodressher。Pollycouldn\'tgetonwithheratfirst，forMauddidn\'tseemlikeachild，andoftencorrectedPollyinherconversationandmanners，thoughlittlemademoiselle\'sownwereanythingbutperfect。Nowandthen，whenMaudfeltpoorly，orhada\"fwactious\"turn，forshehad\"nerves\"aswellasmamma，shewouldgotoPollyto\"beamoosed，\"forhergentlewaysandkindforbearancesoothedthelittlefineladybetterthananythingelse。
Pollyenjoyedthesetimes，andtoldstories，playedgames，orwentoutwalking，justasMaudliked，slowlyandsurelywinningthechild\'sheart，andrelievingthewholehouseoftheyoungtyrantwhoruledit。
TomsoongotoverstaringatPolly，andatfirstdidnottakemuchnoticeofher，for，inhisopinion，\"girlsdidn\'tamounttomuch，anyway\"；and，considering，thestyleofgirlheknewmostabout，Pollyquiteagreedwithhim。Heoccasionallyrefreshedhimselfbyteasingher，toseehowshe\'dstandit，andcausedPollymuchanguishofspirit，forsheneverknewwherehewouldtakehernext。Hebouncedoutatherfrombehinddoors，booedatherindarkentries，clutchedherfeetasshewentupstairs，startledherbyshrillwhistlesrightinherear，orsuddentweaksofthehairashepassedherinthestreet；andassureastherewascompanytodinner，hefixedhisroundeyesonher，andnevertookthemofftillshewasreducedtoapiteousstateofconfusionanddistress。Sheusedtobeghimnottoplagueher；buthesaidhediditforhergood；shewastooshy，andneededtougheningliketheothergirls。Invainsheprotestedthatshedidn\'twanttobeliketheothergirlsinthatrespect；heonlylaughedinherface，stuckhisredhairstraightupalloverhishead，andglaredather，tillshefledindismay。
YetPollyratherlikedTom，forshesoonsawthathewasneglected，hustledoutoftheway，andlefttogetonprettymuchbyhimself。Sheoftenwonderedwhyhismotherdidn\'tpethimasshedidthegirls；whyhisfatherorderedhimaboutasifhewasabornrebel，andtooksolittleinterestinhisonlyson。Fannyconsideredhimabear，andwasashamedofhim；butnevertriedtopolishhimupabit；andMaudandhelivedtogetherlikeacatanddogwhodidnotbelongtoa\"happyfamily。\"GrandmawastheonlyonewhostoodbypooroldTom；andPollymorethanoncediscoveredhimdoingsomethingkindforMadam，andseemingverymuchashamedwhenitwasfoundout。Hewasn\'trespectfulatall；hecalledher\"theoldlady，\"andtoldherhe\"wouldn\'tbefussedover\"；butwhenanythingwasthematter，healwayswentto\"theoldlady，\"andwasverygratefulforthe\"fussing。\"Pollylikedhimforthis，andoftenwantedtospeakofit；
butshehadafeelingthatitwouldn\'tdo，forinpraisingtheiraffection，shewasreproachingotherswithneglect；sosheheldhertongue，andthoughtaboutitallthemore。
Grandmawasratherneglected，too，andperhapsthatisthereasonwhyTomandsheweresuchgoodfriends。Shewasevenmoreold-fashionedthanPolly；butpeopledidn\'tseemtominditsomuchinher，asherdaywassupposedtobeover，andnothingwasexpectedofherbuttokeepoutofeverybody\'sway，andtobehandsomelydressedwhensheappeared\"beforepeople。\"Grandmaledaquiet，solitarylifeinherownrooms，fullofoldfurniture，pictures，books，andrelicsofapastforwhichnoonecaredbutherself。Hersonwentupeveryeveningforalittlecall，wasverykindtoher，andsawthatshewantednothingmoneycouldbuy；buthewasabusyman，sointentongettingrichthathehadnotimetoenjoywhathealreadypossessed。Madamnevercomplained，interfered，orsuggested；
buttherewasasadsortofquietudeabouther，awistfullookinherfadedeyes，asifshewantedsomethingwhichmoneycouldnotbuy，andwhenchildrenwerenear，shehoveredaboutthem，evidentlylongingtocuddleandcaressthemasonlygrandmotherscan。Pollyfeltthis；andasshemissedthehome-petting，gladlyshowedthatshelikedtoseethequietoldfacebrighten，assheenteredthesolitaryroom，wherefewchildrencame，exceptthephantomsoflittlesonsanddaughters，who，tothemotherlyheartthatlovedthem，neverfadedorgrewup。Pollywishedthechildrenwouldbekindertograndma；
butitwasnotforhertotellthemso，althoughittroubledheragooddeal，andshecouldonlytrytomakeupforitbybeingasdutifulandaffectionateasiftheirgrandmawasherown。
AnotherthingthatdisturbedPollywasthewantofexercise。Todressupandparadecertainstreetsforanhoureveryday，tostandtalkingindoorways，ordriveoutinafinecarriage，wasnotthesortofexercisesheliked，andFanwouldtakenoother。Indeed，shewassoshocked，whenPolly，oneday，proposedarundownthemall，thatherfriendneverdaredsuggestsuchathingagain。Athome，Pollyranandrode，coastedandskated，jumpedropeandrakedhay，workedinhergardenandrowedherboat；sonowondershelongedforsomethingmorelivelythanadailypromenadewithaflockofgiddygirls，whotiltedalonginhigh-heeledboots，andcostumeswhichmadePollyashamedtobeseenwithsomeofthem。Sosheusedtoslipoutalonesometimes，whenFannywasabsorbedinnovels，company，ormillinery，andgetfinebriskwalksroundthepark，ontheunfashionableside，wherethebabiestooktheirairings；orshewentinside，towatchtheboyscoasting，andtowishshecouldcoasttoo，asshedidathome。Sheneverwentfar，andalwayscamebackrosyandgay。
Oneafternoon，justbeforedinner，shefeltsotiredofdoingnothing，thatsheslippedoutforarun。Ithadbeenadullday；butthesunwasvisiblenow，settingbrightlybelowtheclouds。ItwascoldbutstillandPollytrotteddownthesmooth，snow-coveredmallhummingtoherself，andtryingnottofeelhomesick。Thecoasterswereatitwithalltheirmight，andshewatchedthem，tillherlongingtojointhefungrewirresistible。
Onthehill，somelittlegirlswereplayingwiththeirsleds，­；reallittlegirls，inwarmhoodsandcoats，rubberbootsandmittens，­；andPollyfeltdrawntowardtheminspiteofherfearofFan。
\"Iwanttogodown，butIdarsn\'t，it\'ssosteep，\"saidoneofthese\"commonchildren，\"asMaudcalledthem。
\"Ifyou\'lllendmeyoursled，andsitinmylap，I\'lltakeyoudownallnice，\"answeredPolly，inaconfidentialtone。
Thelittlegirlstookalookather，seemedsatisfied，andacceptedheroffer。Pollylookedcarefullyroundtoseethatnofashionableeyebeheldtheawfuldeed，andfindingallsafe，settledherfreight，andspunawaydownhill，feelingalloverthedelightsomeexcitementofswiftmotionwhichmakescoastingsuchafavoritepastimewiththemoresensibleportionofthechild-world。Oneafteranother，shetookthelittlegirlsdownthehillanddraggedthemupagain，whiletheyregardedherinthelightofagray-coatedangel，descendedfortheirexpressbenefit。Pollywasjustfinishingoffwithonedelicious\"go\"allbyherself，whensheheardafamiliarwhistlebehindher，andbeforeshecouldgetoff，upcameTom，lookingasmuchastonishedasifhehadfoundhermounted，onanelephant。
\"Hullo，Polly!What\'llFansaytoyou？\"washispolishedsalutation。
\"Don\'tknow，anddon\'tcare。Coastingisnoharm；Ilikeit，andI\'mgoingtodoit，nowI\'vegotachance；soclearthelul-la!\"AndawaywentindependentPolly，withherhairblowinginthewind，andanexpressionofgenuineenjoyment，whichaveryrednosedidn\'tdamageintheleast。
\"Goodforyou，Polly!\"Andcastinghimselfuponhissled，withthemostrecklessdisregardforhisribs，offwhizzedTomafterher，andcamealongsidejustasshereinedup\"GeneralGrant\"onthebroadpathbelow。\"Oh，won\'tyougetitwhenwegohome？\"criedtheyounggentleman，evenbeforehechangedhisgracefulattitude。
\"Ishan\'t，ifyoudon\'tgoandtell；butofcourseyouwill，\"addedPolly，sittingstill，whileananxiousexpressionbegantostealoverherhappyface。
\"Ijustwon\'t，then，\"returnedTom，withthenaturalperversityofhistribe。
\"Iftheyaskme，Ishalltell，ofcourse；iftheydon\'task，Ithinkthere\'snoharminkeepingstill。Ishouldn\'thavedoneit，ifIhadn\'tknownmymotherwaswilling；butIdon\'twishtotroubleyourmotherbytellingofit。Doyouthinkitwasverydreadfulofme？\"askedPolly，lookingathim。
\"Ithinkitwasdownrightjolly；andIwon\'ttell，ifyoudon\'twantmeto。Now，comeupandhaveanother，\"saidTom，heartily。
\"Justonemore；thelittlegirlswanttogo，thisistheirsled。\"
\"Let\'emtakeit，itisn\'tgoodformuch；andyoucomeonmine。Mazeppa\'sastunner；youseeifheisn\'t。\"
SoPollytuckedherselfupinfront，Tomhungonbehindinsomemysteriousmanner，andMazeppaprovedthathefullymeritedhismaster\'ssincereifinelegantpraise。Theygotoncapitallynow，forTomwasinhispropersphere，andshowedhisbestside，beingcivilandgayinthebluffboy-fashionthatwasnaturaltohim；whilePollyforgottobeshy，andlikedthissortof\"toughening\"muchbetterthantheother。Theylaughedandtalked，andkepttaking\"justonemore，\"tillthesunshinewasallgone，andtheclocksstruckdinner-time。
\"Weshallbelate；let\'srun，\"saidPolly，astheycameintothepathafterthelastcoast。
\"Youjustsitstill，andI\'llgetyouhomeinajiffy；\"andbeforeshecouldunpackherself，Tomtrottedoffwithheratafinepace。
\"Here\'sapairofcheeks!Iwishyou\'dgetacolorlikethis，Fanny，\"
saidMr。Shaw，asPollycameintothedining-roomaftersmoothingherhair。
\"Yournoseisasredasthatcranberrysauce，\"answeredFan，comingoutofthebigchairwhereshehadbeencurledupforanhourortwo，deepin\"LadyAudley\'sSecret。\"
\"Soitis，\"saidPolly，shuttingoneeyetolookattheoffendingfeature。
\"Nevermind；I\'vehadagoodtime，anyway，\"sheadded，givingalittlepranceinherchair。
\"Idon\'tseemuchfuninthesecoldrunsyouaresofondoftaking，\"
saidFanny，withayawnandashiver。
\"Perhapsyouwouldifyoutriedit；\"andPollylaughedassheglancedatTom。
\"Didyougoalone，dear？\"askedgrandma，pattingtherosycheekbesideher。
\"Yes\'m；butImetTom，andwecamehometogether。\"Polly\'seyestwinkledwhenshesaidthat，andTomchokedinhissoup。
\"Thomas，leavethetable!\"commandedMr。Shaw，ashisincorrigiblesongurgledandgaspedbehindhisnapkin。
\"Pleasedon\'tsendhimaway，sir。Imadehimlaugh，\"saidPolly，penitently。
\"What\'sthejoke？\"askedFanny，wakingupatlast。
\"Ishouldn\'tthinkyou\'dmakehimlaugh，whenhe\'salwaysmakingyoucwy，\"observedMaud，whohadjustcomein。
\"Whathaveyoubeendoingnow，sir？\"demandedMr。Shaw，asTomemerged，redandsolemn，fromhisbriefobscurity。
\"Nothingbutcoast，\"hesaid，gruffly，forpapawasalwayslecturinghim，andlettingthegirlsdojustastheyliked。
\"So\'sPolly；Isawher。MeandBlanchewerecominghomejustnow，andwesawherandTomwidingdownthehillonhissled，andthenhedwaggedhereversofar!\"criedMaud，withhermouthfull。
\"Youdidn\'t？\"andFannydroppedherforkwithascandalizedface。
\"Yes，Idid，andlikediteversomuch，\"answeredPolly，lookinganxiousbutresolute。
\"Didanyoneseeyou？\"criedFanny。
\"Onlysomelittlegirls，andTom。\"
\"Itwashorridlyimproper；andTomoughttohavetoldyouso，ifyoudidn\'tknowanybetter。Ishouldbemortifiedtodeathifanyofmyfriendssawyou，\"addedFan，muchdisturbed。
\"Now，don\'tyouscold。It\'snoharm，andPollyshallcoastifshewantsto；mayn\'tshe，grandma？\"criedTom，gallantlycomingtotherescue，andsecuringapowerfulally。
\"Mymotherletsme；andifIdon\'tgoamongtheboys，Ican\'tseewhatharmthereisinit，\"saidPolly，beforeMadamcouldspeak。
\"Peopledomanythingsinthecountrythatarenotproperhere，\"beganMrs。Shaw，inherreprovingtone。
\"Letthechilddoitifshelikes，andtakeMaudwithher。Ishouldbegladtohaveoneheartygirlinmyhouse，\"interruptedMr。Shaw，andthatwastheendofit。
\"Thankyou，sir，\"saidPolly，gratefully，andnoddedatTom，whotelegraphedback\"Allright!\"andfelluponhisdinnerwiththeappetiteofayoungwolf。
\"Oh，yously-boots!you\'regettingupaflirtationwithTom，areyou？\"
whisperedFannytoherfriend，asifmuchamused。
\"What!\"andPollylookedsosurprisedandindignant，thatFannywasashamedofherself，andchangedthesubjectbytellinghermothersheneededsomenewgloves。
Pollywasveryquietafterthat，andtheminutedinnerwasover，shelefttheroomtogoandhaveaquiet\"think\"aboutthewholematter。Beforeshegothalf-wayupstairs，shesawTomcomingafter，andimmediatelysatdowntoguardherfeet。Helaughed，andsaid，asheperchedhimselfonthepostofthebanisters，\"Iwon\'tgrabyou，honorbright。Ijustwantedtosay，ifyou\'llcomeoutto-morrowsometime，we\'llhaveagoodcoast。\"
\"No，\"saidPolly，\"Ican\'tcome。\"
\"Whynot？Areyoumad？Ididn\'ttell。\"AndTomlookedamazedatthechangewhichhadcomeoverher。
\"No；youkeptyourword，andstoodbymelikeagoodboy。I\'mnotmad，either；butIdon\'tmeantocoastanymore。Yourmotherdon\'tlikeit。\"
\"Thatisn\'tthereason，Iknow。Younoddedtomeaftershe\'dfreedhermind，andyoumeanttogothen。Come，now，whatisit？\"
\"Ishan\'ttellyou；butI\'mnotgoing，\"wasPolly\'sdeterminedanswer。
\"Well，Ididthinkyouhadmoresensethanmostgirls；butyouhaven\'t，andIwouldn\'tgiveasixpenceforyou。\"
\"That\'spolite，\"saidPolly，gettingruffled。
\"Well，Ihatecowards。\"