Page:An Old Fashioned Girl.djvu/223

Rh "But you do in many little ways; to-night for example. Do you think I don't know that the suit of clothes he's just got would have cost a good deal more, if your tailor hadn't made them? He's only a boy, and don't understand things yet; but I know your way of helping proud people, so that they don't find it out, and I do thank you, Tom, so much."

"Oh, come Polly, that won't do. What do you know about tailors and college matters?" said Tom, looking as much confused as if she had found him out in something reprehensible.

"I don't know much, and that's the reason why I'm grateful for your kindness to Will. I don't care what stories they tell about you, I'm sure you wont lead him into trouble, but keep him straight, for my sake. You know I've lost one brother, and Will takes Jimmy's place to me now."

The tears in Polly's eyes as she said that, made Tom vow a tremendous vow within himself to stand by Will through thick and thin, and "keep him straight for Polly's sake"; feeling all the time how ill-fitted he was for such a task.

"I'll do my best," he said, heartily, as he pressed the hand Polly gave him, with a look which assured her that he felt the appeal to his honor, and that henceforth the country lad was safe from all the temptations Tom could have offered him.

"There! now I shall give that to mamma to take her pills in; it's just what she likes, and it pleases her to be thought of," said Maud, surveying her gift with complacency, as she put on her things.