\"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。