A Summer in a Canyon: A California Story

ISHES SEE HAD

w wit the m

uld slip, ne'er

nt, where she found Laura ge

you should go off so suddenl

rary composition, and the glow of the day's happiness still shining in her eyes. She felt as if Polly was 'glad inside' that she was poisoned; she felt sure she was internally jump

, 'how I should like to give her a piece of my m

thank you,' she said alo

to bend over and tug away at that vali

eless for you to make any show of regret over my going, for I

exclaimed Polly, completely da

chance. Because I didn't mention it at the time, you needn't suppose I've forgotte

louder than the other girls, and I didn't know Aunt Truth obje

r voice, but anybody in the ca?on could have heard you; and Mrs. Winship hasn't bee

and cordial to you as they are to everybody else, and the boys do not fee

nough to see it; and I should never have

ontrol, which was never very great. 'I didn't know I was

on my head and getting my best friend abused, that I was glad to get away from the camp, and went out with Jack

; 'and I don't think it is very polite of you to attack the whole party, and

ite, I certainly shan't ask you for instruction; for I must know as much about th

n see why you toady to the Winships, who have money and social position, and why you are so anxious to keep everybody else from getting into their good graces; but they are so partial to you that they have given you an entirely false idea of yourself; and yo

deserved? But how could Laura have detected and probed the most sensitive spot in the girl's nature? She lost all command of herself. Her rage absolutely frightened her, for it made her deaf and blin

m glad you are going, and everybody will be glad, and the sooner you go the better! You've made everybody miserable ever since you came, with your jealousy and your gossip and your fine-lady airs; and if Aunt Truth hadn't loved your mother, and if we were mean enough

little daughter, brave and patient.' Oh, how impatient and cowardly she had been! Would she never learn to be good? The better impulses rushed back into her heart, and crowded out the bad ones so quickly that in another moment she would have flung herself at Laura's feet, and implored her f

ip had overheard anything, it was probably Polly's last speech, in which case that young person would seem

turned, but she could not disappear entirely within the tent without causing Mrs. Winship surprise; and she went throug

the doctor, and I can't find him,' said Mrs. Winship. 'Why, you a

perhaps I have stayed quite long enough, as Polly has just told me that everybod

ss that she was on the point of begging Laura's pardon for that particular speech then and there, a

y Laura's remark, that she could only ejac

she said more than she intend

ol

usation. Her downcast eyes, flushed, tear-stained cheeks, quiverin

you spoke in such a way to a gues

es

voked her to retort? They were not a sufficient excuse; and for that matter, nothing could be a sufficient excuse for her language. Now tha

moment was quite at a loss as to

rgotten ourselves, and I shall think no more of it.' Laura spoke with such an air of modest virtue, and

ask you to remain. I cannot allow you to go simply because you do not chance to be a favourite

was in the wrong, too, perhaps, but I promise not to let anybody nor anything ma

t is no fault of mine that you go away with an unhappy impression of our hospitality.' Here Mrs. Winship reached up and

the struggles you have with your temper, and I am quite willing to sympathise with you even when you do not come off victorious; but this is something

r so that no one could peep in, and threw herself down upon the long cushioned seat where Dicky was wont to take his afterno

happy this morning, but now was ever anybody so miserable as I? And even if I

after long watching caught sight of Gin on his way to the brook for water,

whole story to-night, if you think best, though I should be glad if only Dr. Paul and Bell need know; but I do not mind anything after displeasing you-nothing can be so bad as that. Perhaps you think I ought to come out and confess it to them myself, as a punishmen

etched,

ll

ut in spite of what I did I am not. The words just blazed out, and I never knew that they were going to be said till I heard them falling fro

ll

nd yet Polly confessed that Laura told the truth. Poor child!-but she has got to learn patience and self-control through suffering. However, I'll keep

urprised at Laura's sudden departure, but no one seemed especially grief-stricken. Dicky announced confidentially to Philip that

round the table, as she pinned up her ri

g down,' said Mrs. Winship, quietly;

eople at once, dropping their napkins

er head with Colog

d sit with he

asing her, Jack?'

. Paul. 'Tell her we can spar

s sick. Go on with your suppers, I'll s

Winship, decidedly. 'I've put her to bed in Dicky's play-tent, and I wa

ody was satisfied, but there was nothing more to be said, though Bell

saucy speech and look down into the fire innocently, while her dimples did everything that was required in order to point the shaft? And pray what was the use of singing when there was no alto to Bell's treble, or of giving conundrums, since it was always Polly who thought of nonsensical answers better than the real ones? And as

; but it needs only one small headache to show that Polly fills a long-felt want in this camp. You

mply angelic, unless I except Jack; but the fact is that Poll

he court is confir

shark sai

lieve it

at my wisd

Geo

hasn't good features, I should just like to show them a pictur

se dimples,' added Elsie, 'or would min

ion would go far towards curing Pol

d, mamacita?' whispered Bell in her mother's ear, as

fond kiss for each of the girls, 'Polly

to be alone! Would

for a moment, came back to the fire,

couldn't eat-and she liked it and kissed my hand-and then I fought she was lonesome, and would like to see my littlest frog, and I told her to put out her hand again for a s'pris

ted, while being put to bed, not to squeeze little frogs into peop

ed with her night-wrapper and various things for comfort sent her by the girls; and as she wearily undressed herself and prepared for the night, she found three

right s

ll never desert

e

left

or we shall all be sick in ord

e

the life of the camp! Wh

he n

Fairy Godmother, and pretended I coul

Fairy Godmother knows why; and though she can't make a beautiful gold coach out of this pumpkin, because there's

si

s she can get Aunt Truth to forgive me and try me again. Unless she can do it, it will never come to pass, for I haven't the courage to ask her. I would rather run away early in the morning and go home than have her look at me again as she did to-day. Oh! what shall I do?' and Polly went down on her knees beside the rough couch, and sobbed her hea

hating some things in my life as much as I do, and I will try and like them better; but I think-yes, I know-that I am full of wicked pride; and oh, it seems as if I could never, never get over wanting to live in a pretty house, and wear pretty dresses, and have my mother live like Bell's and Margery's. And oh, if Thou canst only forgive me for hating boarders so dreadfully, and being ashamed of them every minute, I will

lsie wants to see you a moment before she goes to sleep. Will yo

head coming out from above the greens and browns of the cretonne bed-cover for all the

to-day, just behind the girls' sleeping-tent. Now I know that Polly is in trouble, and that you are displeased with her. What I

inexcusable, you know, dear, for one of my guests to waylay another, just as she was leaving, and make such a cruel speech. I would rather anything else had happened. I know how impetuous Polly is, and I can forgive the child almost anything, her heart is so full of love and generosity; but

htless and impolite she was; yet, if you knew everything, auntie, dear, you would feel a little different. Do you think it was nice of Laura to repeat

n or sixteen are not always remarkable for social tact. I

ever really succeeded. I was half asleep, and heard at first only the faint murmur of voices, but when I was fully awake, Laura was telling Polly that she doted on you simply because you had money and position, while she had not; that you were all so partial

ws worse and worse! Is it possible that Lau

ddle of a sentence; and in another minute I heard your voice, and crept back to the hammock, thinking that everything would be settled by Laura's going away. I'd no idea that she would pounce on Polly and get her in disgrace, the very last thing, when she knew that she was responsible for the whole matt

s not old and wise enough to see that it deserved only contempt; but both the girls should have had too much respect for themselves and for me to descend to such an unl

er suffer most is the thought that she has entirely lost your confidence and good opinion. Oh, I can't help thinking that God feels sorrier this very minute for Polly, who fights and fights against her temper, li

character like Laura's, which is not courageous, nor strong, nor sweet enough for great service, unless it grows into better things through bitter

he trees, the tinkling sound of a banjo fell upon the still night air; and presently, as she neared

Oliver, why bi

Oliver, we fe

thy window, when ni

ly Oliver, we h

s lips by the sound of a smothered sob, in place of the saucy retort he hoped to provoke. The unexpected sob frightened hi

orn little figure, huddled together on the straw bed, touched her heart, and, when Polly started up with an eloquent cry and flew

e, and, administering much good advice to Margery and Bell concerning topics to be avoided, admitted them one by one into her presence, so that she gradually regained her self-control. And at the dinner-table a very pale Polly was prese

rral, Augu

overheard the remark which so roused Polly's anger. You were not aware, of course, how sore a spot you touched upon, or you could never have spoken as you did, though I well know that you were both too angry to reflect. Polly is a peculiarly proud and high-spirited girl-proud, I confess, to a fault; but she comes, on her mother's side, from a long line of people who have had much to be proud of in the way of unblemished honesty, nobility, fine attainments, and splendid achievements. Of her father's honourable services to his country, and his sad and untimely death, you may have heard; but you may not know that Mrs. Oliver's misfortunes have been very many and very bitter, and that the only possibility of supporting and educating Polly lies at present in her taking boarders, for her h

ly your

h Wi