“But you will! I know the signs!”—and Polly was grabbed in an uncomfortable hug.
Dr. Dudley and his wife were pleased at the turn affairs had taken, although they wondered at Polly’s sudden change of mind. Of the offer that was the sole cause of it Polly said nothing. What a joyful surprise it would be when she should come home a month hence with sufficient money to pay the haunting coal bill! The anticipated pleasure of that moment kept her resolution steady.
Yet at times Polly was so sober in the midst of the preparations for her going that her mother would turn to her with searching eyes, and wonder how she had lost her usual blitheness.
“You are not doing this just to please Patricia?” she asked one twilight, stopping in her task of packing Polly’s small trunk to catch her in her arms and hold her solemn little face towards the window.
“Oh, no!” was the tremulous assertion; “I’m not going for Patricia’s sake at all—that is, of course, I’m glad to please her; but I want to go! Only I guess”—her eyes filled—“I’m a little lovesick for you and father!”
Mrs. Dudley smiled.
“I know!” she nodded. “I’ve been homesick beforehand.”
“Have you?” Polly brightened. “And did it go off?”
“Oh, yes, after a while!”
“Then I guess I shall get over it soon as I’m really there,” she said bravely. “I wouldn’t give it up for anything!”