CHAPTER XVIII. THE WOMAN WHO DID NOT DARE

POLLYwroteenthusiastically,Nedansweredsatisfactorily,andaftermuchcorresponding,talking,andplanning,itwasdecidedthatTomshouldgoWest.NevermindwhatthebusinesswasitsufficestosaythatitwasagoodbeginningforayoungmanlikeTom,who,havingbeenbornandbredinthemostconservativeclassofthemostconceitedcityinNewEngland,neededjustthehealthy,hearty,socialinfluencesoftheWesttowidenhisviewsandmakeamanofhim. Ofcoursetherewasmuchlamentationamongthewomen,buteveryonefeltitwasthebestthingforhimsowhiletheysighedtheysewed,packedvisionsofabrilliantfutureawaywithhisnewpockethandkerchiefs,andrejoicedthatthewaywasopenbeforehimevenintheactofbedewinghisbootswithtears.Sydneystoodbyhimtothelast,“likeamanandabrother”(whichexpressionofTom'sgaveFannyinfinitesatisfaction),andWillfeltentirelyconsoledforNed'sdisappointmentathisrefusaltogoandjoinhim,sinceTomwastotaketheplaceNedhadkeptforhim. Fortunatelyeveryonewassobusywiththenecessarypreparationsthattherewasnotimeforromanceofanysort,andthefouryoungpeopleworkedtogetherassoberlyandsensiblyasifallsortsofemotionswerenotbottledupintheirrespectivehearts.Butinspiteofthesilence,thework,andthehurry,Ithinktheycametoknowoneanotherbetterinthatbusylittlespaceoftimethaninalltheyearsthathadgonebefore,forthebestandbravestineachwasupandstirring,andthesmallhousewasasfullofthemagnetismofloveandfriendship,self-sacrificeandenthusiasm,astheworldoutsidewasfullofspringsunshineandenchantment.Pitythattheendshouldcomesosoon,butthehourdiditsworkandwentitsway,leavingacleareratmospherebehind,thoughtheyoungfolksdidnotseeitthen,fortheireyesweredimbecauseofthepartingsthatmustbe. TomwasofftotheWestPollywenthomeforthesummerMaudwastakentotheseasidewithBelleandFannyleftalonetowrestlewithhousekeeping,“help,”andheartache.Ifithadnotbeenfortwothings,Ifearsheneverwouldhavestoodasummerintown,butSydneyoftencalled,tillhisvacationcame,andavoluminouscorrespondencewithPollybeguiledthelongdays.Tomwroteonceaweektohismother,buttheletterswereshortandnotverysatisfactory,formenneverdotelltheinterestinglittlethingsthatwomenbestliketohear.FannyforwardedherbitsofnewstoPolly.PollysentbackalltheextractsfromNed'slettersconcerningTom,andbyputtingthetworeportstogether,theygainedthecomfortableassurancethatTomwaswell,ingoodspirits,hardatwork,andintentoncomingoutstronginspiteofallobstacles. Pollyhadaquietsummerathome,restingandgettingreadyinmindandbodyforanotherwinter'swork,forintheautumnshetriedherplanagain,tothesatisfactionofherpupilsandthegreatjoyofherfriends.Sheneversaidmuchofherselfinherletters,andFanny'sfirstexclamationwhentheymetagain,wasananxious“Why,Polly,dear!Haveyoubeensickandnevertoldme?” “No,I'monlytired,hadagooddealtodolately,andthedullweathermakesmejustatrifleblue.IshallsoonbrightenupwhenIgettomyworkagain,”answeredPolly,bustlingabouttoputawayherthings. “Youdon'tlookabitnatural.Whathaveyoubeendoingtoyourpreciouslittleself?”persistedFanny,troubledbythechange,yetfindingithardtosaywhereinitlay. Pollydidnotlooksick,thoughhercheekswerethinnerandhercolorpalerthanformerly,butsheseemedspiritless,andtherewasatiredlookinhereyesthatwenttoFanny'sheart. “I'mallrightenough,asyou'llseewhenI'minorder.I'mpropergladtofindyoulookingsowellandhappy.Doesallgosmoothly,Fan?”askedPolly,beginningtobrushherhairindustriously. “Answermeonequestionfirst,”saidFanny,lookingasifasuddenfearhadcomeoverher.“Tellme,truly,haveyouneverrepentedofyourhinttoSydney?” “Never!”criedPolly,throwingbackthebrownveilbehindwhichshehadhalfhiddenherfaceatfirst. “Onyourhonor,asanhonestgirl?” “Onmyhonor,asanythingyouplease.Whydoyoususpectmeofit?”demandedPolly,almostangrily. “Becausesomethingiswrongwithyou.It'snousetodenyit,foryou'vegotthelookIusedtoseeinthatveryglassonmyownfacewhenIthoughthecaredforyou.Forgiveme,Polly,butIcan'thelpsayingit,foritisthere,