'When is she coming?' asked Mrs. Shaw, quite willing to help Polly, but privately resolving that Maud should be finished off by the most fashionable master in the city.
'She does n't say. She thanks me for asking her here, as usual, but says she shall go right to work and had better begin with her own little room at once. Won't it seem strange to have Polly in town, and yet not with us?'
'We 'll get her somehow. The little room will cost something, and she can stay with us just as well as not, even if she does teach. Tell her I say so,' said Mr. Shaw.
'She won't come, I know; for if she undertakes to be independent, she 'll do it in the most thorough manner,' answered Fanny, and Mrs. Shaw sincerely hoped she would. It was all very well to patronize the little music- teacher, but it was not so pleasant to have her settled in the family.
'I shall do what I can for her among my friends, and I dare say she will get on very well with young pupils to begin with. If she starts right, puts her terms high enough, and gets a few good names to give her the entr,e into our first families, I don't doubt she will do nicely, for I must say Polly has the manners of a lady,' observed Mrs. Shaw.
'She 's a mighty taking little body, and I 'm glad she 's to be in town, though I 'd like it better if she did n't bother about teaching, but just stayed here and enjoyed herself,'
said Tom, lazily.
'I 've no doubt she would feel highly honored to be allowed to devote her time to your amusement; but she can't afford expensive luxuries, and she don't approve of flirting, so you will have to let her go her own way, and refresh herself with such glimpses of you as her engagements permit,' answered Fanny, in the sarcastic tone which was be coming habitual to her.
'You are getting to be a regular old maid, Fan; as sharp as a lemon, and twice as sour,'
returned Tom, looking down at her with an air of calm superiority.
'Do be quiet, children; you know I can't bear anything like contention. Maud, give me my Shetland shawl, and put a cushion at my back.'
As Maud obeyed her mother, with a reproving look at her erring brother and sister, a pause followed, for which every one seemed grateful. They were sitting about the fire after dinner, and all looked as if a little sunshine would do them good. It had been a dull November day, but all of a sudden the clouds lifted, and a bright ray shot into the room.
Every one turned involuntarily to welcome it, and every one cried out, 'Why, Polly!' for there on the threshold stood a bright-faced girl, smiling as if there was no such thing as November weather in the world.
'You dear thing, when did you come?' cried Fanny, kissing both the blooming checks with real affection, while the rest hovered near, waiting for a chance.
'I came yesterday, and have been getting my nest in order; but I could n't keep away any longer, so I ran up to say 'How do you do?'' answered Polly, in the cheery voice that did one's heart good to hear.
'My Polly always brings the sunshine with her,' and Mr. Shaw held out his hands to his little friend, for she was his favorite still.
It was good to see her put both arms about his neck, and give him a tender kiss, that said a great deal, for grandma had died since Polly met him last and she longed to comfort him, seeing how gray and old he had grown.
If Tom had had any thoughts of following his father's example, something in Polly's manner made him change his mind, and shake hands with a hearty 'I 'm very glad to see you, Polly,' adding to himself, as he looked at the face in the modest little bonnet:
'Prettier than ever, by Jove!'
There was something more than mere prettiness in Polly's face, though Tom had not learned to see it yet. The blue eyes were clear and steady, the fresh mouth frank and sweet, the white chin was a very firm one in spite of the dimple, and the smooth forehead under the little curls had a broad, benevolent arch; while all about the face were those unmistakable lines and curves which can make even a plain countenance comely, by breathing into it the beauty of a lovely character. Polly had grown up, but she had no more style now than in the days of the round hat and rough coat, for she was all in gray, like a young Quakeress, with no ornament but a blue bow at the throat and another in the hair. Yet the plain suit became her excellently, and one never thought of the dress, looking at the active figure that wore it, for the freedom of her childhood gave to Polly that good gift, health, and every movement was full of the vigor, grace, and ease, which nothing else can so surely bestow. A happy soul in a healthy body is a rare sight in these days, when doctors flourish and every one is ill, and this pleasant union was the charm which Polly possessed without knowing it.
'It does seem so good to have you here again,' said Maud, cuddling Polly's cold hand, as she sat at her feet, when she was fairly established between Fanny and Mr. Shaw, while Tom leaned on the back of his mother's chair, and enjoyed the prospect.
'How do you get on? When do you begin? Where is your nest? Now tell all about it,'
began Fanny, who was full of curiosity about the new plan.
'I shall get on very well, I think, for I 've got twelve scholars to begin with, all able to pay a good price, and I shall give my first lesson on Monday.'
'Don't you dread it?' asked Fanny.
'Not much; why should I?' answered Polly, stoutly.
'Well, I don't know; it 's a new thing, and must be a little bit hard at first,' stammered Fanny, not liking to say that working for one's living seemed a dreadful hardship to her.
'It will be tiresome, of course, but I shall get used to it; I shall like the exercise, and the new people and places I must see will amuse me. Then the independence will be delightful, and if I can save a little to help Kitty along with, that will be best of all.'
Polly's face shone as if the prospect was full of pleasure instead of work, and the hearty good will with which she undertook the new task, seemed to dignify her humble hopes and plans, and make them interesting in the sight of others.
'Who have you got for pupils?' asked Mrs. Shaw, forgetting her nerves for a minute.
