In the closet, too, went a very old and much-mended red frock which was always nearly hidden by long-sleeved and high-necked aprons. There were four of these, and two more new ones without sleeves. Polly was so small that there had been plenty of room in the big bag for all these things and for the little store of underclothes which went into the third drawer. The aprons had the second drawer to themselves, and in the top drawer there were Polly’s small handkerchiefs and one pair of little white cotton gloves, freshly washed.
Polly took the bag back to the closet after removing the very last thing, her work basket, which she put on the bureau, beside the fat pincushion. Looking at this cushion reminded her of hidden treasures, and diving into her petticoat pocket she brought forth Aunty Peebles’s gift, and then the knife; these Polly placed on a table, which stood near one of the two windows. Then, after looking about the room for a moment with an air of much satisfaction, Polly slipped off her little shoes, and folding her shawl about her shoulders after the manner of Mrs. Ramsdell when ready for a nap, she turned back the white quilt, and climbing sedately up on the bed, laid her head on the pillow and clasped her little hands.
“I don’t feel sleepy,” said Polly, “but that doesn’t make any difference. I’ve got plenty of things to think of. Perhaps Eleanor didn’t always go to sleep. There are all those leaks in Manser farm—they’ll get mended if I’m adopted. And this is a beautiful place, and I’m not going to be lonesome, a great girl like me, if ’tis pretty still here. I wonder what Miss Arctura Green is doing: and those kitties, I wonder where they are.”
An hour or so later Miss Hetty held a consultation with Arctura in the kitchen.
“I came down the back way so I should not wake that child,” said Miss Pomeroy. “She hasn’t stirred since she lay down, I verily believe. Do you think it’s natural for a little girl of her age to sleep nearly two hours at this time of day?”
“Why, you see we don’t either of us know much about children,” said Arctura, meditatively. “She looks pretty strong, but I notice her appetite’s nothing extra, and probably she’s all excited up and tired out. Seems to me, though, if she don’t stir by the end of another half hour I should kind of make a noise in my room if I was in your place, and wake her up gradual.”
At the end of another half-hour Miss Pomeroy opened and shut a window in her room with vigor, and when she stepped across the hall to Polly’s room, the little girl was putting on her shoes.
“Well, well,” said Miss Pomeroy, “you’ve had a nice, long nap. You shall take one every day, my dear, if you like; I’ve no doubt it will do you good.”
“Yes’m,” said Polly meekly, with a faint little smile.
“I don’t know as I shall let you sleep quite so long, always,” said Miss Hetty, briskly, “for fear you won’t rest so well at night: but we’ll see.”