"I've nothing to say," replied Polly, and she disappeared into Mrs.
Whitney's room and closed the door.
That evening Jasper and Percy, who went together for a good part of the way, had just driven to the station, when the bell rang and a housemaid presently laid before Polly a card, at sight of which all the color deserted her cheek. "Oh, I can't see him," she declared involuntarily.
"Who is it?" asked old Mr. King, laying down the evening paper.
"O, Grandpapa!" cried Polly, all in a tremor at the thought of his displeasure, "it does not matter. I can send word that I do not see any one now that Aunty is ill, and"—
"Polly, child," said the old gentleman, seriously displeased, "come and tell me at once who has called upon you."
So Polly, hardly knowing how, got out of her chair and silently laid the unwelcome card in his hand.
"Mr. Livingston Bayley," read the old gentleman.
"Humph! well, upon my word, this speaks well for the young man's perseverance. I'm very tired, but I see nothing for it but that I must respond to this;" and he threw aside the paper and got up to his feet.
"Grandpapa," begged Polly tremblingly at his elbow, "please don't let him feel badly."
"It isn't possible, Polly," cried Mr. King, looking down at her, "that you like this fellow—enough, I mean, to marry him?"