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　　\"Oh，Polly，Iamsoglad!Ineverthoughtofit&shy；youaresogood，andhe\'ssuchawildboy，&shy；Ican\'tbelieveit&shy；butitissodearofyoutocareforhim。\"

　　\"Couldn\'thelpit&shy；triednotto&shy；butitwassohard&shy；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&shy；isthatdoorshut，andMaudsafe？\"

　　Fannyreconnoitered，andreturning，listenedbreathlessly，whilePollypouredintoherearthebittersecretwhichwaspreyingonhersoul。

　　\"Hasn\'thementionedMariainhisletters？\"

　　\"Onceortwice，butsortofjokingly，andIthoughtitwasonlysomelittleflirtation。Hecan\'thavetimeformuchofthatfun，he\'ssobusy。\"

　　\"Nedwritesgood，gossipyletters&shy；Itaughthimhow&shy；andhetellsmeallthat\'sgoingon。Whenhe\'dspokenofthisgirlseveraltimes&shy；theyboardwithhermother，youknow，&shy；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，&shy；

　　\"Ifyoueverbreatheaword，dropahint，lookalookthatwilltellhimoranyoneelseaboutme，I\'ll&shy；yes，assureasmynameisMaryMilton&shy；I\'llproclaimfromthehousetopsthatyoulikeAr&shy；\"

　　Pollygotnofurther，forFan\'shandwasonhermouth，andFan\'salarmedvoicevehementlyprotested，&shy；

　　\"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&shy；somebodyisengaged!\"shesaid，inasolemntone，thatmadePollyputupherhandasiftowardoffanexpectedblow。\"No，don\'tlooklikethat，mypoordear；itisn\'tTom，it\'s&shy；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，&shy；

　　\"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，&shy；

　　\"Thereheis!Ain\'thesplendid？\"

　　Foraminute，everythingdancedbeforePolly\'seyes，asahandshookherswarmly，andagruffishvoicesaidheartily，&shy；

　　\"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，&shy；

　　\"ItisMariaBailey。\"

　　Howshemanagedtogetthroughthatevening，Pollyneverknew，yetitwasnotalongone，forateighto\'clocksheslippedoutoftheroom，meaningtorunhomealone，andnotcompelanyonetoserveasescort。Butshedidnotsucceed，forasshestoodwarmingherrubbersatthedining-roomfire，wonderingpensivelyasshedidsoifMariaBaileyhadsmallfeet，andifTomeverputherrubbersonforher，thelittleovershoesweretakenoutofherhands，andTom\'svoicesaid，reproachfully，&shy；

　　\"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，&shy；

　　\"I\'mafraidyou\'vebeendoingtoomuchthiswinter；youlooktiredout，Polly。\"

　　\"Oh，no!itsuitsmetobeverybusy，\"andshebegantodragonherglovesasiftoproveit。

　　\"Butitdoesn\'tsuitmetohaveyougetthinandpale，youknow。\"

　　Pollylookeduptothankhim，butneverdid，fortherewassomethingdeeperthangratitudeinthehonestblueeyes，thatcouldnothidethetruthentirely。Tomsawit，flushedalloverhisbrownface，anddroppingtherubberswithacrash，tookherhands，saying，inhisoldimpetuousway，&shy；

　　\"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&shy；youtalkedabouthermost&shy；andsowethought&shy；\"

　　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，&shy；

　　\"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&shy；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，&shy；

　　\"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，&shy；

　　\"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。\"