CHAPTER XIX. TOM'S SUCCESS

“Come,Philander,letusbeamarching, Everyonehistrueloveasearching,” WOULDbethemostappropriatemottoforthischapter,because,intimidatedbythethreats,denunciations,andcomplaintsshowereduponmeinconsequenceoftakingthelibertytoendacertainstoryasIliked,Inowyieldtotheamiabledesireofgivingsatisfaction,and,attheriskofoutragingalltheunities,intendtopairoffeverybodyIcanlaymyhandson. Occasionallyamatrimonialepidemicappears,especiallytowardspring,devastatingsociety,thinningtheranksofbachelordom,andleavingmotherslamentingfortheirfairestdaughters.ThatspringthediseasebrokeoutwithgreatviolenceintheShawcircle,causingpaternalheadsmuchbewilderment,asonecaseafteranotherappearedwithalarmingrapidity.Fanny,aswehaveseen,wasstrickenfirst,andhardlyhadshebeencarriedsafelythroughthecrisis,whenTomreturnedtoswellthelistofvictims.AsFannywasoutagooddealwithherArthur,whowassurethatexercisewasnecessaryfortheconvalescent,PollywenteverydaytoseeMrs.Shaw,whofoundherselflonely,thoughmuchbetterthanusual,fortheengagementhadafinereffectuponherconstitutionthananytonicsheevertried.SomethreedaysafterFan'sjoyfulcallPollywasstartledonenteringtheShaws'door,byMaud,whocametumblingdownstairs,sendinganavalancheofwordsbeforeher,“He'scomebeforehesaidheshouldtosurpriseus!He'supinmamma'sroom,andwasjustsaying,'How'sPolly?'whenIheardyoucome,inyourcreep-mouseway,andyoumustgorightup.Helookssofunnywithwhiskers,buthe'seversonice,realbigandbrown,andheswungmerightupwhenhekissedme.Nevermindyourbonnet,Ican'twait.” AndpouncinguponPolly,Mauddraggedherawaylikeacapturedshiptowedbyanoisylittlesteam-tug. “Thesoonerit'soverthebetterforme,”wastheonlythoughtPollyhadtimeforbeforesheplungedintotheroomabove,propelledbyMaud,whocriedtriumphantly,“Thereheis!Ain'thesplendid?” Foraminute,everythingdancedbeforePolly'seyes,asahandshookherswarmly,andagruffishvoicesaidheartily,“Howareyou,Polly?”ThensheslippedintoachairbesideMrs.Shaw,hopingthatherreplyhadbeenallrightandproper,forshehadnottheleastideawhatshesaid. Thingsgotsteadyagaindirectly,andwhileMaudexpatiatedonthegreatsurprise,PollyventuredtolookatTom,feelinggladthatherbackwastowardthelight,andhiswasnot.Itwasnotalargeroom,andTomseemedtofillitentirelynotthathehadgrownsoverymuch,exceptbroaderintheshoulders,buttherewasabrisk,genial,free-and-easyairabouthim,suggestiveofastirring,out-of-doorlife,withpeoplewhokepttheireyeswideopen,andwerenotveryparticularwhattheydidwiththeirarmsandlegs.Therough-and-readytravellingsuit,stoutboots,brownface,andmanlybeard,changedhimsomuch,thatPollycouldfindscarcelyatraceofelegantTomShawinthehearty-lookingyoungmanwhostoodwithonefootonachair,whilehetalkedbusinesstohisfatherinasensibleway,whichdelightedtheoldgentleman.Pollylikedthechangeimmensely,andsatlisteningtothestateofWesterntradewithasmuchinterestasifithadbeenthemostthrillingromance,for,ashetalked,Tomkeptlookingatherwithanodorasmilesolikeoldtimes,thatforalittlewhile,sheforgotMariaBailey,andwasinbliss. ByandbyFannycameflyingin,andgaveTomagreatersurprisethanhishadbeen.Hehadnottheleastsuspicionofwhathadbeengoingonathome,forFanhadsaidtoherself,withgirlishma