Half a Dozen Girls

s at once made to feel at home with the V, which hospitably extended its arms to take her in. But with Katharine it was a different matter. Crit

n view, to struggle up to the top of the social scale, if need be, over the bodies of one's dearest friends, what wonder was it that her growth towards womanhood was cramped by being forced out of its natural beauty into the artificial lines of fashionable society. But it was not yet too late to undo the harm, for a generous, warm heart lay under her affected indifference and ambition;

her to their circle. Florence was her favorite among them, while she openly courted Alan's favor, to the amusement of the boy's

one day, when they were out for a walk together, "i

s look with a glance which was almost defiant, for she was too loyal

olly are. Of course you and I both know that you three girls could have the pick of th

reply now. On the contrary, she drew up her small figure to its full height, and

f the town that we have taken up with Jean Dwight. At least, she is too much of a lady

so much," answered Katharine, trying to pass off the matter lightly, although she was priva

they settled themselves on the piazza to talk over the doings of the day. Katharine and Jessie had

home long ago," she said regre

longer," answered Jean. "Wai

d Polly picked up her hat and started for home,

er astonishment was increased when, on going up-stairs, she saw her mother with her bonnet on, busy in p

f relief, as she caught sight of Polly in the door; "I wa

ma; are you going away?

dear. We have had a

ill. And Aunt Jane a

to-ni

cely knew, so her main anxiety was for her mother, of whose devotion to this o

toilet-case in Mrs. Adams's ha

t him. I am sorry to leave you all alone here wit

d Polly courageously, though her heart sank, a

thoughtfully; "but it is so uncertain. If only Aunt

hook her he

get along beautifully, and you've no

to get her slippers. As she passe

avely. I know it will be forlorn for you, but there isn't any help for it. Papa is g

ams snapped the fastener of her bag and turned to say good by to her daughter. Polly went down-stairs behind her and stood

lly up and down, putting the rooms in order while, in imagination, she followed the travellers to the train. Then, when, all was done, she went into her own room and sat down to consider the situation. Taken all in all, it was not an encouraging picture that the next few days presented. Her father was liable to be called away at any

I were d

in my

er my h

e a goo

a hospitable welcome?

doorway, with a smile on her face and a great bundle in her han

come from? I never, never was so g

idn't you come down- stairs to meet me, and n

en I didn't know you were

t our house and told me that she had to go away for a few days, and you wanted me

y rapturously. "And you're going to stay h

sked Molly, as she un

ato

ng more than that. It said-the telegram, I mean- 'Charles very ill, come at once,' and mamma is dreadfully worried. Of course she doesn't know how

had quieted down a little. "Now, if only Uncle Charlie will get well, I

hey are at the house; but I'm not going to give up all my fun for them. They're nothing but boarders; 'tisn't as if they were on a visit; and Alan can see to them once in a while. He can't bear Katharine," she continued

f into a chair and

ch, you know." "I don't know anything about French, Poll; and you needn't laug

nce, and I asked mamma what it meant. She says she doesn't think it's nice for girls to keep putting French and German words int

selves for a quiet visit in front of the open fire in the parlor. This was their first even

light but just the f

the rug and have it

n at any minute, though," Polly remarked. "She doesn't appr

this time," said Molly; "but

aught sight of the empty fire-place, for the

year, this happened to be the one on which Mrs. Adams had neglected to arrange her usual pile of round sticks and kindlings and shavings, it would be hard to

etected the discouraged ring to her friend'

avings under the andirons and apply the match. "But," she added valiantly; "I've watched mamma often enough, and I know I can do it. We must have

ly, solid pile across the andirons, much as she might have placed it, had she been packing it

nt of contentment; "you see it's easy en

ly eyeing the shavings which flashed into flame a

atter?" said Polly, rather an

ght," said Molly, arming herself with the

ave," said P

shavings, she lighted a newspaper and thrust it into the middle opening. The girls watched it with eager eyes. It blazed up like the shavings and, like them, burned out, leaving only the blackened ci

ing, as she saw Polly tearing down her log c

to," retorted Polly, showing m

hing in my life," Mol

do

rom her knees until she sat on her heels; "

ss?" inquired Molly, leaning forward to blow the

nswered Polly, unconsciously touching th

d with the fire, "we shall catch our deaths of cold here, Polly;

leaving a note on the table addressed to the doctor, and containing the simpl

o talk after I'm in bed, and we shall have

r on the subject of their struggles, the evening before; and, as he rose from the tabl

the dining-room door again; "but I'd like dinner on time to-night,

ping up to follow him to the fron

she went back to the tabl

r, of late, after many cautions, Polly had been allowed to drive

ldn't go with us, thi

's been so stiff that he hasn't been anywhere but just to school and back; and I shou

be a good idea to start early, so I'll go out to tel

k to Molly in the sitting-room, her face was flus

Molly, raising her

e sofa with unnecessary vigor. "I don't see what we are going to do,

but seeing the real trouble in her friend's face,

it's such a good time when part of the family are away. I told her she mustn't; but she says she's going to, or else she'll go for good. I don't dare let her do that, but whatever a

; then she rose to meet th

home one single step,

and help you t

olly," remonstrated h

n and don't go rushing round like this, and we'll

and Polly felt her s

she seated herself o

er to go. I have heard mamma say, often and often, that it's easier to do the work yo

herself of this sentiment, that Polly gazed at her with a new respect.

ays been dying to try it, and this is a splendid chance. We won't do much sweeping and

nswered Pol

. Then she resumed, "Well, we sha

ut get the meals and

th renewe

me, if we wanted to,"

is: how much do you

boil eggs and make toast, and I have ma

Polly. I can do codfish and milk, and make molasses candy, and

ooks," suggested Polly. "Can

iggled Molly. "But really, Poll, we can work out of them; try lots

lly promptly; "and baked maca

don't let's tell your father Mary has gone. We'll have dinner all ready when he comes, and not le

over the change of cook; "I think it will be fun, Molly; and then, if we

eat deal better things to eat than if Mary stayed. Servant girls are so

ell the girls or Alan, for if they knew about it, they would invite

me here to see u

ance,-I don't mean you, Molly, for you are head housekeeper, and I couldn't get along without you.

with such a competent servant who, though far from amiable, yet was quite capable of taking the entire charge of the house during