An Old-fashioned Girl by Louisa M. Alcott

promptly returned the compliment, and both began to cry.

Polly, who had paused to listen to the edifying chat, parted the

belligerents, and finding the poor things tired, cross, and sleepy,

yet unable to go home till sent for, proposed to play games. The

young ladies consented, and “Puss in the corner” proved a

peacemaker. Presently, in came the boys; and being exiles from

the German, gladly joined in the games, which soon were lively

enough to wake the sleepiest. “Blind-man’s-buff” was in full swing

when Mr. Shaw peeped in, and seeing Polly flying about with

band-aged eyes, joined in the fun to puzzle her. He got caught

directly; and great merriment was caused by Polly’s bewilderment,

for she could n’t guess who he was, till she felt the bald spot on his

head.

This frolic put every one in such spirits, that Polly forgot her

trouble, and the little girls kissed each other good-night as

affectionately as if such things as imported frocks, coup,s, and

rival brothers did n’t exist “Well, Polly, do you like parties?” asked

Fan when the last guest was gone.

“Very much; but I don’t think it would be good for me to go to

many,” answered Polly, slowly.

“Why not?”

“I should n’t enjoy them if I did n’t have a fine dress, and dance all

the time, and be admired, and all the rest of it.”

“I did n’t know you cared for such things,” cried Fanny, surprised.

“Neither did I till to-night; but I do; and as I can’t have ’em, it ‘s

lucky I ‘m going home tomorrow.”

“Oh, dear! So you are! What shall I do without my ‘sweet P.,’ as

Sydney calls you?” sighed Fanny, bearing Polly away to be

cuddled.

Every one echoed the exclamation next day; and many loving eyes

followed the little figure in the drab frock as it went quietly about,

doing for the last time the small services which would help to

make its absence keenly felt. Polly was to go directly after an early

dinner, and having packed her trunk, all but one tray, she was told

to go and take a run while grandma finished. Polly suspected that

some pleasant surprise was going to be put in; for Fan did n’t offer

to go with her, Maud kept dodging about with something under her

apron, and Tom had just whisked into his mother’s room in a

mysterious manner. So Polly took the hint and went away,

rejoicing in the thought of the unknown treasures she was to carry

home.

Mr. Shaw had not said he should come home so early, but Polly

thought he might, and went to meet him. Mr. Shaw did n’t expect

to see Polly, for he had left her very busy, and now a light snow

was falling; but, as he turned into the mall there was the round hat,

and under it the bright face, looking all the rosier for being

powdered with snow-flakes, as Polly came running to meet him.

“There won’t be any one to help the old gentleman safely home

to-morrow,” he said, as Polly took his hand in both hers with an

affectionate squeeze.

“Yes, there will; see if there is n’t,” cried Polly, nodding and

smiling, for Fan had confided to her that she meant to try it after

her friend had gone.

“I ‘m glad of it. But, my dear, I want you to promise that you will

come and make us a visit every winter, a good long one,” said Mr.

Shaw, patting the blue mittens folded round his hand.

“If they can spare me from home, I ‘d love to come dearly.”

“They must lend you for a little while, because you do us all good,

and we need you.”

“Do I? I don’t see how; but I ‘m glad to hear you say so,” cried

Polly, much touched.

“I can’t tell you how, exactly; but you brought something into my

house that makes it warmer and pleasanter, and won’t quite vanish,

I hope, when you go away, my child.”

Polly had never heard Mr. Shaw speak like that before, and did n’t

know what to say, she felt so proud and happy at this proof of the

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