Happy Pollyooly: The Rich Little Poor Girl

atient fancy, no faster than the old horse-bus, so eager was s

at the path which would ultimately lead her to the al

you here," she said very plaintively. "I'm s

Pollyooly firmly. "You'll

her head doubt

nything of you and

siting day is-there's sure to be a visiting

ace grew a li

ngratulated Pollyooly warmly

e weapon I suggested. Osterley's canta

oly, hesitating a little-"I-

John Ruffin l

terley!"

ivity, for a letter came for Pollyooly by the first post to say that

nal farewell was tearful indeed. But Pollyooly believed that her sadness would not last long:

so missed his devoted and obedient slave, though he was of too placid a nature to raise an outcry about his loss. She wrote to

bservant child of twelve, who had passed the seven standards at Muttle Deeping school, could have been mistaken in a matter of that kind. At any rate his chanting was rhythmical. The habit may have borne witness

hen she brought in his carefully grilled b

dge tree-a game you do not understand-and it has made the heat-wave, which ought to be called the

yooly in a tone of am

ther the Lump, since the Honourable John Ruffin did not eat all his bread or drink all his milk; and there was often half a cake with which he refused to continue his afternoon tea on the ground that it was

eat-flood has not been so much the want of money (I have had enough

," said P

grill my bacon for me, and the Lump to keep you occupied while you are not grilling it,

eyes opened very wide;

" she said in a hushed, breathl

iral one of these days. It is time that England had a red-headed admiral; I'm tired of thes

aid Pollyooly in a tone

ss, she has always entertained the strongest affection for me. It would be no use taking you to any other lodgings because you wouldn't be allowed to grill my bacon for me. But Mrs. W

ce!" said Pollyooly, st

ohn Ruffin smile

pack; this afternoon

him to be a matter on which he was called to comment either favourably or unfavourably. Pollyooly moved about the world on very light, dancing feet; and as soon as she had washed up

nd dismay. He put his clothes in the portmanteau anyhow and

now on the other, she endured the si

r: you'd bette

" said the Honourable John Ruffin, looking

mpling your shirts,

re for. But have it your own way. Deal with it yourself,

them neatly with some regard to their shape and the space to be filled, finding room for a dozen th

you go on at this rate, you will certainly go

ump his dinner. She ate little herself; she was too excited. They drove, proudly

ough London, curiously curled round the Lump, she was busy showing him the pictures in the papers and receiving his monosyllabic comments on them, with the ecstatic delight with which his disciples receive, or should receive, the pregnant utterances of a genius. When they came into the country she was busy pointing out to him, with an even more excited delight t

, and observed the children and read. But when they were

e by the sea there is so much time for idle curiosity; and you had better tell them that you are a cousin of mine. That is nothing but the truth,

said Polly

have a better time that way, for airs procure you a welcome in the

sparkled a litt

ing a red Deeping, sir, rather. I like

ll become what the newspapers call a society leader. I for

," said P

d Deeping," he said thoughtfully. "Not that they're not small and well-shaped!" he interjected has

," said P

to do the work of two sets of chambers in the Temple without the hands showing it. Her nails were very short and rather jagged; a thumbnail was broken; the sk

you'd better work in gloves,"

oubtfully. To her firm spirit the idea of

olk of course-a lady must have good hands," said

said Pollyoo

brought home to her; and she flushed faintly with honourable pride at the thought that she was a lad

At Pyechurch I shall call you Pollyooly; a

sir," said Pollyooly, a

e John Ruffin cheerfully. "And it will be ver

e gratitude in her eyes as they

the pleasant, sunny landscape, stopping meditatively at stations and

the shining sea on their left hand. Pollyooly enjoyed the felicity of showing it to the Lump, wh

fection for the Honourable John Ruffin. She had a sumptuous tea ready for

to Pollyooly's grilling his bacon passed away when he saw how her heart wen

on: the Lump is going to usu

er John; and well you know