"Upon my word, wife, I
believe you're glad to have something to do."
"Will my own papa gimme a dolly? . . . like Uncle Papa?" here piped
Trotty.
"Perhaps. But you will have to be a VERY good girl, and not talk with
your mouth full or dirty your pinnies. Oh, here's a postscript!" Polly
had returned to the sheet, and was gloating over it. "John writes:
"ESPECIALLY MUST HE ENDEAVOUR TO WIN LAWYER OCOCK OVER TO MY SIDE. I LAY
GREAT WEIGHT ON O.'S SUPPORT.
"Oh, Richard, now ISN'T that unfortunate? I do hope it won't make any
difference to John's chances."
Polly's dismay had good grounds. A marked coolness had sprung up between
her husband and the lawyer; and on no account, she knew, would Richard
consent to approach Mr. Henry. Some very hot remarks made by the latter
had been passed on to her by Mrs. Glendinning. She had not dared to tell
Richard the worst.
The coolness dated from an afternoon when Tilly Beamish had burst into
the house in a state of rampant excitement. "Oh, Polly! oh, I say! my
dear, whatever do you think? That old cove--old O.--'as actually had
the cheek to make me a proposal."
"Tilly!" gasped Polly, and flushed to the roots of her hair. "Oh, my
dear, I AM pleased!" For Polly's conscience was still somewhat tender
about the aid she had lent Purdy in his evasions. The two women kissed,
and Tilly cried a little. "It's certainly her first offer," thought Mrs.
Polly. Aloud, she asked hesitatingly: "And do you .
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