But hark! who is that singing? You can hear him, although he is yet a street off; and so can she who is busy within there, you can tell by that little scream of joy.
That is Tom Bobalink, the honest truckman, and the owner of this little nest of contentment.
But, if you please, I will resume my narrative my own way, for you are a very uncommunicative companion, friend reader, and it is impossible for me to discover whether you like the scene we have been looking at, or do not.
In a few moments, Tom rushed into the little room, his face all a-glow with healthy exercise, and a joyous song at his lips.
"Hello! pet, where are you?" he cried, putting down his hat and whip.
"Here am I, Tom!" answered as cheerful a voice as ever bubbled up from a heart, full of innocence and love.
"Din in a sec," meaning dinner in a second; for "Tom and Pol," in their confidential chats, abbreviated long words occasionally; and I give this explanation as a sort of guide to their pet peculiarity.
"Hurry up, Polly!" cried Tom, with a good-humored laugh, "for I'm jolly hungry, I tell you. Good gracious! I've heard of people's taking all sorts of thing to get up an appetite; if they'd only have the sense to take nothing, and keep on at it, it's wonderful what an effect it would have on a lazy digestion."
Polly now entered with two or three smoking dishes, which it did not take long to place in order. Now, I should dearly like to give you a description of my heroine—aye! heroine—for it is in her station that such are to be found—noble spirits, who battle with privation and untoward fate—smoothing the rugged pathway of life, and infusing fresh energy into the world-exhausted heart. Oh! what a crown of glory do they deserve, who wear a smile of content upon their lips, while the iron hand of adversity is pressing on their hearts, concealing a life of martyrdom beneath the heroism of courageous love.
I say I should like to give you some slight description of Polly's external appearance, but that I choose rather that my readers should take their own individual ideas of perfect loveliness, and clothe her therein; for, inasmuch as she is the type of universal excellence, in mind and character, I wish her to be so in form and beauty.