\'That\'saperfectly——jetblack——fib!\'criedPolly，whowasnowthoroughlyangry；\'andIdon\'tthinkitisverypoliteofyoutoattackthewholeparty，andsaytheyhaven\'tbeennicetoyou，whenthey\'vedoneeverythingintheworld!\'
\'Itisn\'tyourpartyanymorethanmine，isit?AndifIdon\'tknowhowtobepolite，Icertainlyshan\'taskYOUforinstruction；forI
mustknowasmuchaboutthemannersofgoodsocietyasyoudo，inasmuchasIhavecertainlyseenmoreofit!\'
Pollysankintoacamp-chair，toostunnedforamomenttoreply，whileLaura，whohadgonequitebeyondthepointwhereshekneworcaredwhatshesaid，wentonwitharushofwords:\'Imeantotellyou，nowthatIamstarted，thatanybodywhoisn\'tblindcanseewhyyoutoadytotheWinships，whohavemoneyandsocialposition，andwhyyouaresoanxioustokeepeverybodyelsefromgettingintotheirgoodgraces；buttheyaresopartialtoyouthattheyhavegivenyouanentirelyfalseideaofyourself；andyoumightaswellknowthatunlessyoukeepyourselfalittlemoreinthebackground，andgrowalittlelessboldandaffectedandindependent，otherpeoplewillnotbequiteasreadyastheWinshipstomakeapetofagirlwhosemotherkeepsaboarding-house。\'
PoorLaura!Itwasnosoonersaidthansheregrettedit——alittle，notmuch。ButpoorPolly!Wherewashergoodangelthen?Whycouldshenothavetreatedthisthrustwiththesilenceandcontemptitdeserved?ButhowcouldLaurahavedetectedandprobedthemostsensitivespotinthegirl\'snature?Shelostallcommandofherself。Herrageabsolutelyfrightenedher，foritmadeherdeafandblindtoallconsiderationsofproprietyandself-respect，andforamomentshewasonlyconsciousofthewilddesiretostrike——
yes，eventokill——thepersonwhohadsoinsultedallthatwasdearesttoher。
\'Don\'tdaretosayanotherword!\'shepanted，withsuchflamingcheeksandsuchflashingeyesthatLaurainvoluntarilyretreatedtowardsthedoor，halfafraidofthetempestherwordshadevoked。
\'Don\'tdaretosayanotherword，orIdon\'tknowwhatImaydo!Yes，Iamgladyouaregoing，andeverybodywillbeglad，andthesooneryougothebetter!You\'vemadeeverybodymiserableeversinceyoucame，withyourjealousyandyourgossipandyourfine-ladyairs；andifAuntTruthhadn\'tlovedyourmother，andifweweremeanenoughtotelltales，wewouldhaverepeatedsomeofyourdisagreeablespeecheslongago。HowcanyoudaretosayIlovetheWinshipsforanythingbutthemselves?Andifyouhadeverseenmydarlingmother，younevercouldhavecalledheraboarding-housekeeper，youcruel——\'
Oh，butthedashingtorrentofangrywordsstoppedatthemerementionofhermother。Thewordrecalledhertoherself，buttoolate。Itwokeinhermemorytheclaspofhermother\'sarms，thesoundofthesweet，tiredvoice:\'Onlytwoofusagainstthebigworld，Polly——youandI。Bebrave，littledaughter，braveandpatient。\'Oh，howimpatientandcowardlyshehadbeen!Wouldsheneverlearntobegood?Thebetterimpulsesrushedbackintoherheart，andcrowdedoutthebadonessoquicklythatinanothermomentshewouldhaveflungherselfatLaura\'sfeet，andimploredherforgivenessmerelytogainagainherownself-respectandhermother\'sapproval；buttherewasnotimeforrepentance(thereisn\'tsometimes)，fortheclatterofwheelsannouncedPancho\'sapproachwiththeteam，andMrs。WinshipandAnneBurtoncameintoview，walkingrapidlytowardsthetent。
Laurawasagooddealdisconcertedattheirill-timedappearance，butreflectedrapidlythatifMrs。Winshiphadoverheardanything，itwasprobablyPolly\'slastspeech，inwhichcasethatyoungpersonwouldseemtobemoreinfaultthanherself，sosteppingoutofthetentshemetMrs。Winshipandkissedhergood-bye。
LittleAnneranonandjumpedintothewagon，withallachild\'sjoyattheprospectofgoinganywhere。Polly\'sbackwasturned，butshecouldnotdisappearentirelywithinthetentwithoutcausingMrs。
Winshipsurprise；andshewentthroughalifetimeofmiseryandself-
reproachinthatminuteofshameandfear，whenshedaredneithertoadvancenorretreat。
\'Idon\'tquiteliketoletyougoalone，Laura，withoutconsultingthedoctor，andIcan\'tfindhim，\'saidMrs。Winship。\'Why，youarenervousandtrembling!Hadn\'tyoubetterwaituntilto-morrow?\'
\'No，thankyou，Mrs。Winship。Iamallreadynow，andwouldprefertogo。IthinkperhapsIhavestayedquitelongenough，asPollyhasjusttoldmethateverybodyisgladtoseethelastofme，andthatI\'vemadeyouallmiserablesinceIcame。
ThiswastheclimaxtoPolly\'smisery；forshewasalreadysoovercomebythethoughtofherrudenessthatshewasonthepointofbeggingLaura\'spardonforthatparticularspeechthenandthere，andshehadonlytohearherexactwordsrepeatedtofeelhowtheywouldsoundinMrs。Winship\'sears。
Mrs。WinshipwassoentirelytakenabackbyLaura\'sremark，thatshecouldonlyejaculate，\'Polly——said——that!Whatdoyoumean?\'
\'Oh，Iamquitereadytothinkshesaidmorethansheintended，butthosewereherwords。\'
\'Polly!\'
Pollyturned。Alas!itwasplainenoughthatthiswasnofalseaccusation。Herdowncasteyes，flushed，tear-stainedcheeks，quiveringlips，andthesilentshameofherwholefigure，spoketooclearly。
\'Canitbepossible，Polly，thatyouspokeinsuchawaytoaguestwhowasabouttoleavemyhouse?\'
\'Yes。\'
ThewordwaswrungfromPolly\'stremblinglips。Whatcouldshesaybut\'Yes，\'——itwastrue，——andhowcouldsherepeatthetauntsthathadprovokedhertoretort?Theywerenotasufficientexcuse；andforthatmatter，nothingcouldbeasufficientexcuseforherlanguage。Nowthatshewasconfrontedwithherownfault，Laura\'sseemedsosmallbesideitthatshewouldhavebeenashamedtoofferitasanyjustification。
Mrs。Winshipgrewpale，andforamomentwasquiteatalossastothetreatmentofsuchasituation。
\'Don\'tsayanymoreaboutit，Mrs。Winship，\'saidLaura；\'wewerebothangry，orweshouldneverhaveforgottenourselves，andIshallthinknomoreofit。\'Lauraspokewithsuchanairofmodestvirtue，andseemedsoreadytoforgiveandforget，thatPollyinhersilenceandconfusionappearedworsethanever。
\'ButIwantyoutorememberthatyouaremyguest，notPauline\'s；
thatIaskedyoutocomeandaskyoutoremain。Icannotallowyoutogosimplybecauseyoudonotchancetobeafavouritewithanotherofmyguests。\'(Oh!thepangthesewordsgavePolly\'sfaulty，tenderlittleheart!)
\'IamonlygoingbecauseIfeelsoill，——notabitbecauseofwhatPollysaid；Iwasinthewrong，too，perhaps，butIpromisenottoletanybodynoranythingmakemequarrelwhenIvisityouagain。
Good-bye!\'andLaurasteppedintothewagon。
\'Itrustyouwillnotmentionthistoyourmother，sinceIhopeitistheonlyunpleasantincidentofyourvisit；anditisnofaultofminethatyougoawaywithanunhappyimpressionofourhospitality。\'
HereMrs。WinshipreachedupandkissedlittleAnne，andasthehorseswererestive，andnooneseemedtohaveanythingfurthertosay，Panchodroveoff。
\'Idon\'tcaretotalkwithyouanymoreatpresent，Polly，\'saidMrs。
Winship。\'Iamtoohurtandtooindignanttospeakofyourconductquietly。Iknowthestrugglesyouhavewithyourtemper，andIamquitewillingtosympathisewithyouevenwhenyoudonotcomeoffvictorious；butthisissomethingquitedifferent。Ican\'tconceivehowanyamountofprovocationordislikecouldhaveledyouintosuchdisloyaltytome\'；andwiththisshewalkedaway。
Pollystaggeredintoalittleplay-roomtentofDicky\'s，wheresheknewthatshecouldbealone，pinnedthecurtainstogethersothatnoonecouldpeepin，andthrewherselfdownuponthelongcushionedseatwhereDickywaswonttotakehisafternoonnap。There，ingriefanddespair，shesobbedtheafternoonthrough，dreadingtobedisturbedanddreadingtobequestioned。
\'Mybeautifulbirthdayspoiled，\'shemoaned，\'andallmyownfault!
Iwassohappythismorning，butnowwaseveranybodysomiserableasI?AndevenifItellAuntTruthwhatLaurasaid，shewillthinkitnoexcuse，anditisn\'t!\'
Asitnearedsupper-timeshemadeanopeninginthebackofthetent，andafterlongwatchingcaughtsightofGinonhiswaytothebrookforwater，signalledhim，andgavehimthisdespairinglittlenoteforMrs。Winship:-
DearAuntTruth，——Idon\'taskyoutoforgiveme——Idon\'tdeservetobeforgiven——butIaskyoutodomejustonemoreofyourdearlittlekindnesses。LetmestayaloneinDicky\'stenttillmorning，andpleasedon\'tletanyonecomenearme。Youcantelleverybodythewholestoryto-night，ifyouthinkbest，thoughIshouldbegladifonlyDr。PaulandBellneedknow；butIdonotmindanythingafterdispleasingyou——nothingcanbesobadasthat。PerhapsyouthinkI
oughttocomeoutandconfessittothemmyself，asapunishment；butoh，AuntTruth，Iampunishingmyselfinherealoneworsethananyoneelsecandoit。IwillgobacktoSantaBarbaraanytimethatyoucansendmetothestagestation，andIwillneveraskyoutolovemeagainuntilIhavelearnedhowtocontrolmytemper。Yourwretched，wretchedPOLLY。
P。S——Irememberthatitismybirthday，andallthatyouhavedoneforme，to-dayandalltheotherdays。ItlooksasifIwereungrateful，butinspiteofwhatIdidIamnot。Thewordsjustblazedout，andIneverknewthattheyweregoingtobesaidtillI
heardthemfallingfrommymouth。ItseemstomethatifIeveratoneforthisIwillhaveaslateandpencilhangingtomybelt，andonlywritewhatIhavetosay。POLLY。
ThemoisturecametoMrs。Winship\'seyesasshereadthistear-
stainedlittlenote。\'There\'ssomethinghereIdon\'tquiteunderstand，\'shethought；\'andyetPollyconfessedthatLauratoldthetruth。Poorchild!——butshehasgottolearnpatienceandself-
controlthroughsuffering。However，I\'llkeepthematterasecretfromeverybodyatpresent，andstandbetweenherandmyinquisitivebroodofyoungsters，\'andsheslippedthenoteintoherpocket。
Atsixo\'clockthemembersofthefamilycameintocampfromvariousdirections，andgatheredaboutthesupper-table。AllweresurprisedatLaura\'ssuddendeparture，butnooneseemedespeciallygrief-
stricken。DickyannouncedconfidentiallytoPhilipthatLaurawasa\'norful\'fraid-catoffrogs，\'andJackventuredtheopinionthatMissLaurahadn\'t\'boy\'enoughinherforcamp-life。
\'ButwhereisPolly?\'askedBell，lookingroundthetable，asshepinnedupherriding-skirtandsatdowninherusualseat。
\'Shehasabadheadache，andislyingdown，\'saidMrs。Winship，quietly；\'she\'llbeallrightinthemorning。\'
\'Headache!\'ejaculatedfourorfivepeopleatonce，droppingtheirnapkinsandlookingateachotherindismay。
\'I\'llgoandrubherheadwithCologne，\'saidMargery。
\'Letmegoandsitwithher，\'saidElsie。
\'Haveyoubeenteasingher，Jack?\'askedMrs。Howard。
\'Toomuchbirthday?\'askedDr。Paul。\'Tellherwecansparealmostanybodyelsebetter。\'
\'Blessthechild，shewantsmeifsheissick。Goonwithyoursuppers，I\'llseetoher，\'andBellrosefromthetable。
\'No，mydear，Iwantyoualltoleaveheraloneatpresent，\'saidMrs。Winship，decidedly。\'I\'veputhertobedinDicky\'splay-tent，andIwanthertobequiet。Ginhastakenhersomesupper，andsheneedsrest。\'
PollyOliverinneedofrest!Whatanincomprehensiblestatement!
Nobodywassatisfied，buttherewasnothingmoretobesaid，thoughBellandPhilipexchangedglancesasmuchastosay，\'Somethingiswrong。\'
Supperended，andtheygatheredroundthecamp-fire，butnothingwasquiteasusual。Itwasallverywelltocrackjokes，butwherewasacertainmerrylaughthatwaswonttoringout，atthesmallestprovocation，insuchaninfectiouswaythateverybodyelsefollowedsuit?Andwhowasthere，whenPollyhadtheheadache，tomakeasaucyspeechandlookdownintothefireinnocently，whileherdimplesdideverythingthatwasrequiredinordertopointtheshaft?
AndpraywhatwastheuseofsingingwhentherewasnoaltotoBell\'streble，orofgivingconundrums，sinceitwasalwaysPollywhothoughtofnonsensicalanswersbetterthantherealones?AndasforJack，why，itwasfollytoshootarrowsofwitintotheairwhentherewasnotarget。HesimplystretchedhimselfoutbesideElsie，whowasparticularlyquietandsnoozedpeacefully，withouttakinganypartintheconversation，avowinghisintentionto\'turnin\'early。
\'Turnin\'early，forsooth!Whatwasthematterwiththeboy?
\'It\'snouse，\'saidBell，plaintively；\'wecan\'tbeanythingbuthappy，nowthatwehaveElsiehere；butitneedsonlyonesmallheadachetoshowthatPollyfillsalong-feltwantinthiscamp。Youthinkofherasamodestspokeinthewheeltillshedisappears，andthenyoufindshewasthehub。\'
\'Yes，\'saidMargery，\'Ithinkeveryoneroundthisfireissimplyangelic，unlessIexceptJack；butthefactisthatPollyis——well，sheis——Polly，andIdareanyonetocontradictme。\'
\'Thejudgmentofthecourtisconfirmed，\'saidPhilip。
\'Andthesharksaid，\"IfyouDon\'tbelieveitistrue，Justlookatmywisdomtooth!\"\'
sangGeoffrey。
\'Andifanyoneevertellsmeagainthatshehasredhairandhasn\'tgoodfeatures，Ishouldjustliketoshowthemapictureofherasshewasto-dayatthedinner-table!\'exclaimedBell。
\'Asifanybodyneededfeatureswiththosedimples，\'addedElsie，\'orwouldmindredhairwhenitwassuchprettyhair!\'
\'IthinkareportofthisconversationwouldgofartowardscuringPolly，\'saidDr。Winship，withasmile。
\'Andyousaywecan\'tgointherebeforewegotobed，mamacita?\'
whisperedBellinhermother\'sear，astheboyssaidgood-night——andwenttowardstheirtent。
\'Mydear，\'sheanswereddecidedly，withafondkissforeachofthegirls，\'Pollyherselfaskedmetokeepeverybodyaway。\'
Pollyherselfwantedtobealone!Wouldwondersnevercease?
MeanwhileDicky，whohaddisappearedforamoment，camebacktothefire，hisbosomheavingwithgriefandrage。
\'Iwenttomyplay-tent，\'hesobbed，\'andputtedmyhandunderneaththecurtainandgavePollyapieceofmysuppercakeIsavedforher——
notthefrostedpart，buttheburntpartIcouldn\'teat——andshelikeditandkissedmyhand——andthenIfoughtshewaslonesome，andwouldliketoseemylittlestfrog，andItoldhertoputoutherhandagainforas\'prise，andIsqueezedhimintoittight，so\'thewouldn\'tjump——andshefoughtitwasmorecake，andwhenshefounditwasn\'tshefrewmylittlestfrogclearaway，anditgotlosted!\'
Thisbroughtahowlofmirthfromeverybody，andDickywasinstructed，whilebeingputtobed，nottosqueezelittlefrogsintopeople\'shandsinthedark，asitsometimesaffectedthemunpleasantly。
AllthistimePollywaslyinginthetent，quiteexhaustedwithcrying，andmademorewretchedbyeverysoundofvoiceswaftedtowardsher。PresentlyGinappearedwithhernight-wrapperandvariousthingsforcomfortsentherbythegirls；andasshewearilyundressedherselfandpreparedforthenight，shefoundthreelittlemessagesofcomfortpinnedontheneckandsleevesofherflannelgown，writteninsuchcolossallettersthatshecouldeasilyreadthembythemoonlight。
Ontherightsleeve:-
Cheerup!\'IwillneverdesertMr。Micawber!\'BELL
Ontheleftsleeve:-
DarlingPolly，——Getwellsoon，orweshallallbesickinordertostaywithyou。Lovingly，MEG。
PS——JacksaidyouweretheLIFEOFTHECAMP!Whatdoyouthinkofthat??M。
Ontheneck:-
Dearest，——YouhavealwayscalledmetheFairyGodmother，andpretendedIcouldseethingsthatotherpeoplecouldn\'t。
Theboys(greatstupids!)thinkyouhavetheheadache。Wegirlscanallseethatyouareintrouble，butonlytheFairyGodmotherKNOWS
WHY；andthoughshecan\'tmakeabeautifulgoldcoachoutofthispumpkin，becausethere\'ssomethingwrongaboutthepumpkin，yetshewilldoherbestforCinderella，andpullheroutoftheashessomehow。
ELSIE。
Polly\'stearsfellfastonthedearlittlenotes，whichshekissedagainandagain，andtuckedunderherpillowtobringhersleep。
\'Elsieknowssomething，\'shethought，\'buthow?sheknowsthatI\'mintroubleandthatI\'vedonewrong，orshewouldn\'thavesaidthataboutnotbeingabletoturnabadpumpkinintoabeautifulgoldcoach；butperhapsshecangetAuntTruthtoforgivemeandtrymeagain。Unlessshecandoit，itwillnevercometopass，forI
haven\'tthecouragetoaskher。Iwouldratherrunawayearlyinthemorningandgohomethanhaveherlookatmeagainasshedidto-day。
Oh!whatshallIdo?\'andPollywentdownonherkneesbesidetheroughcouch，andsobbedherheartoutinachildishprayerforhelpandcomfort。Itwasjusttheprayerofalittlechildtellingasorrowfulstory；becauseitiswhenwearealoneandintroublethattheunknownandmysteriousGodseemstousmostlikeaFather，andwethrowourselvesintothearmsofHislovelikehelplesschildren，andtellHimoursecretthoughtsandgriefs。
\'DearFatherinheaven，\'shesobbed，\'don\'tforgivemeifIoughtnottobeforgiven，butpleasemakeAuntTruthfeelhowsorryIam，andshowmewhetherIoughttotellwhatmademesoangry，thoughit\'snoexcuse。Blessandkeepmydarlingpatientlittlemother，andhelpmetogrowmorelikeher，andbraverandstrongertoo，sothatIcantakecareofhersoon，andsheneedn\'tworkhardanylonger。PleaseforgivemeforhatingsomethingsinmylifeasmuchasIdo，andI
willtryandlikethembetter；butIthink——yes，Iknow——thatIamfullofwickedpride；andoh，itseemsasifIcouldnever，nevergetoverwantingtoliveinaprettyhouse，andwearprettydresses，andhavemymotherlivelikeBell\'sandMargery\'s。Andoh，ifThoucanstonlyforgivemeforhatingboarderssodreadfully，andbeingashamedofthemeveryminute，Iwilltryandlikethembetterandtelleverybodythatwetakethem——Iwillindeed；andifIcanonlyoncemakeAuntTruthloveandtrustmeagain，Iwillmaketheboarders\'
bedsanddusttheirroomsforeverwithoutgrumbling。Please，dearFatherinheaven，rememberthatIhaven\'tanyfathertolovemeortoteachmetobegood；andthoughmammadoesherbest，pleasehelphertomakesomethingoutofmeifitcanbedone。Amen。\'
\'Truth，\'saidMrs。Howard，whenallwasquietaboutthecamp，\'Elsiewantstoseeyouamomentbeforeshegoestosleep。Willyougotohertent，whileIplayagameofcribbagewithDr。Paul?\'
Elsielookedlikeablossominallthebeautifulgreennessofhertent，withheryellowheadcomingoutfromabovethegreensandbrownsofthecretonnebed-coverforalltheworldlikeadaffodilpushingitswayupthroughthemouldtowardsthespringsunshine。
\'AuntTruth，\'shesaidsoftly，asMrs。Winshipsatdownbesideher，\'yourememberthatDr。Paulhungmyhammockinanewplaceto-day，justbehindthegirls\'sleeping-tent。NowIknowthatPollyisintrouble，andthatyouaredispleasedwithher。WhatIwanttoask，ifImay，is，howmuchyouknow；forIoverheardagreatdealmyself——
enoughtofeelthatPollydeservesahearing。\'
\'Ioverheardnothing，\'repliedMrs。Winship。\'AllthatIknowPollyherselfconfessedinLaura\'spresence。PollytoldLaura，justasshewasgoingaway，thateverybodywouldbegladtoseethelastofher，andthatshehadmadeeverybodymiserablefromthebeginningofhervisit。Itwasquiteinexcusable，youknow，dear，foroneofmygueststowaylayanother，justasshewasleaving，andmakesuchacruelspeech。Iwouldratheranythingelsehadhappened。IknowhowimpetuousPollyis，andIcanforgivethechildalmostanything，herheartissofullofloveandgenerosity；butIcannotoverlooksuchabreachofproprietyasthat。OfcourseIhaveseenthatLauraisnotafavouritewithanyofyou。Iconfesssheisnotaverylovableperson，andIthinkshehasledaveryunwholesomelifelatelyandissadlyspoiledbyit；stillthatisnoexcuseforPolly\'sconduct。\'
\'No，ofcourseitisn\'t，\'sighedElsie，withalittlequiverofthelip。\'IthoughtIcouldpleadabettercaseforPolly，butIseeexactlyhowthoughtlessandimpoliteshewas；yet，ifyoukneweverything，auntie，dear，youwouldfeelalittledifferent。DoyouthinkitwasniceofLauratorepeatwhatPollysaidrightbeforeher，andjustasshewasgoingaway，whensheknewitwouldmakeyouuncomfortableandthatyouwerenottoblameforit?\'
\'No，hardly。Itdidn\'tshowmuchtact；butgirlsoffifteenorsixteenarenotalwaysremarkableforsocialtact。Iexcusedherpartlybecauseshewashalf-sickandnervous。\'
\'Well，\'Elsiewenton，\'Ididn\'thearthewholequarrel，sothatIdonotknowhowlongitlastednorwhobeganit。Ican\'thelpthinkingitwasLaura，though，forshe\'sbeentryingherbesttoprovokePollyforthelastfortnight，anduntilto-dayshehasneverreallysucceeded。Iwashalfasleep，andheardatfirstonlythefaintmurmurofvoices，butwhenIwasfullyawake，LaurawastellingPollythatshedotedonyousimplybecauseyouhadmoneyandposition，whileshehadnot；thatyouwereallsopartialtoherthatshehadlostsightofherowndeficiencies。Thenshecalledherboldandaffected，andIdon\'tknowwhatelse，andfinallywoundupbysayingthatnobodybuttheWinshipswouldbelikelytomakeapetofthedaughterofaboarding-housekeeper。\'
\'Elsie!\'ejaculatedMrs。Winship；\'thisgrowsworseandworse!IsitpossiblethatLauraBurtoncouldbeguiltyofsuchathought?\'
\'Ican\'tbemistaken。Iwastooexcitednottohearveryclearly；
andthemomentthewordswerespokenIknewmypoordear\'sfierytemperwouldneverendurethat。Anditdidn\'t；itblazedoutinasecond，butitdidn\'tlastlong，forbeforeIcouldgettothetentshehadstoppedherselfrightinthemiddleofasentence；andinanotherminuteIheardyourvoice，andcreptbacktothehammock，thinkingthateverythingwouldbesettledbyLaura\'sgoingaway。I\'dnoideathatshewouldpounceonPollyandgetherindisgrace，theverylastthing，whensheknewthatshewasresponsibleforthewholematter。Yousee，auntie，that，impoliteasPollywas，sheonlytoldLaurathatwegirlsweregladshewasgoing。Shedidn\'tbringyouin，afterall；andLauraknewperfectlywellthatshewasawelcomevisitor，andwealltreatedherwiththegreatestpoliteness，thoughit\'snousetosaywelikedhermuch。\'
\'Iamverysorryforthewholeaffair，\'sighedMrs。Winship，\'thereissomuchwrongonbothsides。Laura\'sremark，itistrue，wouldhaveangeredalmostanybodywhowasnotoldandwiseenoughtoseethatitdeservedonlycontempt；butboththegirlsshouldhavehadtoomuchrespectforthemselvesandformetodescendtosuchanunladylikequarrel。However，IamonlytoogladtohearanythingwhichmakesPolly\'sfaultless，forIlovehertoodearlynottosufferwhenIhavetobeseverewithher。\'
\'Shewouldn\'taskyoutooverlookherfault，\'continuedElsie，withtearsinhereyes。\'Iknowjusthowwretchedandpenitentshemustbe——Pollyisalwayssofierceagainstherownfaults——butwhatmustbemakinghersuffermostisthethoughtthatshehasentirelylostyourconfidenceandgoodopinion。Oh，Ican\'thelpthinkingthatGodfeelssorrierthisveryminuteforPolly，whofightsandfightsagainsthertemper，likeadearsunbeamtryingtoshineagainandagainwhenacloudkeepscoveringitup，thanHedoesforLaura，whohaseverythingmadesmoothforher，andwhoisunhappywhenherfeathersareruffledtheleastbit。\'
\'Youareright，dear，insofarthatafierylittlesoullikePolly\'scan，ifitfindstherightchannels，doGod\'sworkintheworldbetterthanacharacterlikeLaura\'s，whichisnotcourageous，norstrong，norsweetenoughforgreatservice，unlessitgrowsintobetterthingsthroughbitterorrichexperiences。Now，good-night，myblessedlittlepeacemaker；sleepsweetly，forIamgoingintoPolly\'stenttohaveagoodtalkwithher。\'
AsMrs。WinshipdroppedthecurtainsofElsie\'stentbehindher，andmadeherwayquietlythroughthetrees，thetinklingsoundofabanjofelluponthestillnightair；andpresently，asshenearedPolly\'sretreat，thisfacetiousserenade，sungbyJack\'swell-knownvoice，waswaftedtoherears:
\'Prithee，PollyOliver，whybideyesostill?
PrettyPollyOliver，wefearyouareill。
I\'msinging\'neaththywindow，whennightdewsarechill，For，prettyPollyOliver，wehearyouareill。\'
ShewasabouttodespatchMasterJacktohistentwitharoundscolding，whenthelastwordsofthesongwerefrozenonhislipsbythesoundofasmotheredsob，inplaceofthesaucyretorthehopedtoprovoke。Theunexpectedsobfrightenedhimmorethananyfusiladeofhotwords，andhestoleawayinthedarknessmorecrestfallenthanhehadbeenformanyayear。
Mrs。Winship，moretroubledthanever，pulledapartthecanvascurtains，andstoodintheopening，silently。Thesightoftheforlornlittlefigure，huddledtogetheronthestrawbed，touchedherheart，and，whenPollystartedupwithaneloquentcryandflewintoherextendedarms，shegrantedwillingforgiveness，andthehistoryoftheafternoonwassobbedoutuponhermotherlyshoulder。
ThenextmorningMrs。WinshipannouncedthatPollywasbetter，sentbreakfasttohertent，andbyskilfulgeneralshipdroveeverybodyawayfromthecampbutElsie，whobroughtPollytothesitting-room，madehercomfortableonthelounge，and，administeringmuchgoodadvicetoMargeryandBellconcerningtopicstobeavoided，admittedthemonebyoneintoherpresence，sothatshegraduallyregainedherself-control。Andatthedinner-tableaverypalePollywaspresentagain，withsuchawhitefaceandheavyeyesthatnoonecoulddoubttherehadbeenaheadache，whiletwopeople，atleast，knewthattherehadbeenaheartacheaswell。Thenextday\'smailcarriedthefollowinglettertoLauraBurton:
CAMPCHAPARRAL，August16，188。
MydearLaura，——AsItoldyouwhenyouwereleaving，IcannotwellsayhowsorryIamthatanythingshouldhaveoccurredtomaryourpleasantremembranceofyourstaywithus。Thatyourdearmother\'sdaughtershouldhavebeentreatedwithdiscourtesywhileshewasmyguestwasverydisagreeabletome；butIhavelearnedthatyouwereyourselfsomewhattoblameintheaffair，andthereforeyoushouldhavebornetheharshtreatmentyoureceivedwithconsiderablepatience，andperhapshavekeptitquitetoyourself。(\'Thatlittlecattoldher，afterall，\'saidLaura，whenshereadthis。\'Ididn\'tthinkshewasthatkind。\')Pollywouldneverhaveconfessedthecauseofthequarrel，becausesheknewnothingcouldjustifyherlanguage；butElsiewaslyinginthehammockbehindthetentandoverheardtheremarkwhichsorousedPolly\'sanger。Youwerenotaware，ofcourse，howsoreaspotyoutouchedupon，oryoucouldneverhavespokenasyoudid，thoughIwellknowthatyouwerebothtooangrytoreflect。Pollyisapeculiarlyproudandhigh-spiritedgirl——proud，Iconfess，toafault；butshecomes，onhermother\'sside，fromalonglineofpeoplewhohavehadmuchtobeproudofinthewayofunblemishedhonesty，nobility，fineattainments，andsplendidachievements。Ofherfather\'shonourableservicestohiscountry，andhissadanduntimelydeath，youmayhaveheard；butyoumaynotknowthatMrs。Oliver\'smisfortuneshavebeenverymanyandverybitter，andthattheonlypossibilityofsupportingandeducatingPollyliesatpresentinhertakingboarders，forherhealthwillnotadmitjustnowofherlivinganywheresaveinSouthernCalifornia。Ifailtoseewhythisisnotthoroughlypraiseworthyandrespectable；butifyoudonotconsideritquiteanelegantoccupation，IcanonlysaythatMrs。Oliverpresidesoverthetableatwhichher\'boarders\'sitwithahigh-breddignityandgraceofmannerthatthehighestladyinthelandmightimitate；andthat，whenhealthandcircumstancespermithertodiminishthedistancebetweenherselfandthegreatworld，sheandherdaughterPolly，byreasonoftheirbirthandtheirculture，willfinddoorsswingingwidetoadmitthemwhereyouandIwouldfinditdifficulttoenter。
Pollyapologisessincerelyforherrudeness，andwillwriteyoutothateffect，asofcourseshedoesnotknowofthisletter。
Sincerelyyourfriend，TRUTHWINSHIP。
CHAPTERIX:ROUNDTHECAMP-FIRE
\'Thetimebeforethefiretheysat，Andshortenedthedelaybypleasingchat。\'
TheAugustdayshadslippedawayoneafteranother，andSeptemberwasathand。Therewasnoperceptiblechangeofweathertomarktheadventofthenewmonth。Thehillswerealittlebrowner，thedustalittledeeper，thefleasalittlenimbler，andthewaterinthebrookatriflelower，butotherwiseDameNaturedidnotconcernherselfwiththechangeofseasons，inasmuchasshehadnoolddressestogetridof，andnonewonestoputonforalongtimeyet；indeed，sheisneververyfashionableinthislocality，andwearsverymuchthesamegarmentsthroughouttheyear。
Elsieseemedalmostasstrongasanyoftheothergirlsnow，andcouldenterwithzestintoalltheiramusements。Theappetiteofayoungbear，thesound，dreamlesssleepofababy，andtheconstantbreathinginofthepure，life-givingairhadmadeheranewcreature。Mrs。HowardandJackfelt，daybyday，thataburdenofdreadwasbeingliftedfromtheirhearts；andMrs。Howardespeciallyfeltthatshelovedeveryrockandtreeinthecanyon。
Itwasacharmingmorning，andPollywasseatedatthedining-roomtable，deepinthepreparationofalessoninreadingandpronunciationforHopYet。Herforeheadwascreasedwithmanywrinklesofthought，andshebittheendofherlead-pencilasifshewereengagedinsolvingsomedifficultproblem；but，ifthatwereso，whydidthedimpleschaseeachotherinandoutofhercheeksinsuchasuspiciousfashion?Shewasaverygentle，averysedatePolly，theselatterdays，andnotonlyastonishedherfriends，butsurprisedherself，byhergoodbehaviour，herelegantreserveofmanner，herpatiencewithJack，andherabjectdevotiontoDicky。
\'I\'mafraiditwon\'tlast，\'shesighedtoherselfoccasionally。\'I\'malmosttoogood。That\'salwaysthewaywithme——Imusteitherbesobadthateverybodyisdiscouraged，orelsesogoodthatIfrightenthem。NowIcatchBellandElsieexchangingglanceseveryday，asmuchastosay，\"PoorPolly，shewillneverholdoutatthisrate；doyounoticethatnothingrufflesher——thatsheissimplyangelic?\"AsifIcouldn\'tbeangelicforafortnight!WhyIhaveoftendoneitforfourweeksatastretch!\'
MargerywasinthehabitofgivingHopYetanEnglishlessoneveryotherday，ashehadbeenveryloathtoleavehiseveningschoolinSantaBarbaraandburyhimselfinacanyon，awayfromalleducationalinfluences；butshehaddesertedherpostforonceandgonetoridewithElsie，sothatPollyhadtakenherplaceandwasevolvinganexercisethatHopYetwouldremembertothelatestdayofhislife。
Itlookedsimpleenough:-
1。Thegrassisdry。
2。Thefruitisripe。
3:Thechaparralisgreen。
4。Thenewroadisallright。
5。Thebay-\'rum\'treeisfreshandpretty。
ButasnoChinamancanpronouncetheletter\'r，\'itwaslaboriouslyrenderedthus，whentheunhappytimeofthelessoncame:
1。The-glass-is-dly。
2。The-fluit-is-lipe。
3。The-chap-lal-is-gleen。
