第1章

\"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。