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Humph! Well, Im a-wonderin what a child will do with Miss Polly in the house! snapped Nancy. The old man laughed. Im afraid you aint fond of Miss Polly, he grinned. As if ever anybody could be fond of her! scorned Nancy. Old Tom smiled oddly. He stooped and began to work again. I guess maybe you didnt know about Miss Pollys love affair, he said slowly. Love affairher! No!and I guess nobody else didnt, neither. Oh, yes they did, nodded the old man. And the fellers livin ter-dayright in this town, too. Who is he? I aint a-tellin that. It aint fit that I should. The old man drew himself erect. In his dim blue eyes, as he faced the house, there was the loyal servants honest pride in the family he has served and loved for long years. But it dont seem possibleher and a lover, still maintained Nancy. Old Tom shook his head. You didnt know Miss Polly as I did, he argued. She used ter be real handsomeand she would be now, if shed let herself be. Handsome! Miss Polly! Yes. If shed just let that tight hair of hern all out loose and careless-like, as it used ter be, and wear the sort of bunnits with posies in em, and the kind o dresses all lace and white thingsyoud see shed be handsome! Miss Polly aint old, Nancy. Aint she, though? Well, then shes got an awfully good imitation of itshe has, she has! sniffed Nancy. Yes, I know. It begun thenat the time of the trouble with her lover, nodded Old Tom; and it seems as if shed been feedin on wormwood an thistles ever sinceshes that bitter an prickly ter deal with. I should say she was, declared Nancy, indignantly. Theres no pleasin her, nohow, no matter how you try! I wouldnt stay if twant for the wages and the folks at home whats needin em. But some daysome day I shall jest bile over; and when I do, of course itll be goodby Nancy for me. It will, it will. Old Tom shook his head. I know. Ive felt it. Its nartralbut taint best, child; taint best. Take my word for it, taint best. And again he bent his old head to the work before him. Nancy! called a sharp voice. Y-yes, maam, stammered Nancy; and hurried toward the house. |
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