'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；buttherewasnotimeforrepentancethereisn'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。
　　Theboysgreatstupids!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。