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158 music lessons? Somebody wants me to play, and I'd rather learn of you than any Senor Twankydillo," said Tom, who didn't find the conversation interesting.

"Oh, yes; if any of you boys honestly want to learn, and will behave yourselves, I'll take you; but I shall charge extra," answered Polly, with a wicked sparkle of the eye, though her face was quite sober, and her tone delightfully business-like.

"Why, Polly, Tom isn't a boy; he's twenty, and he says I must treat him with respect. Besides, he's engaged, and does put on such airs," broke in Maud, who regarded her brother as a venerable being.

"Who is the little girl?" asked Polly, taking the news as a joke.

"Trix; why, didn't you know it?" answered Maud, as if it had been an event of national importance.

"No! is it true, Fan?" and Polly turned to her friend with a face full of surprise, while Tom struck an imposing attitude, and affected absence of mind.

"I forgot to tell you in my last letter; it's just out, and we don't like it very well," observed Fanny, who would have preferred to be engaged first herself.

"It's a very nice thing, and I am perfectly satisfied," announced Mrs. Shaw, rousing from a slight doze.

"Polly looks as if she didn't believe it. Haven't I the appearance of 'the happiest man alive?'" asked Tom, wondering if it could be pity which he saw in the steady eyes fixed on him.

"No, I don't think you have," she said, slowly.