4.  Her cousin Fanny chatted like a magpie, and little Maud fidgeted, till Tom proposed to put her under the big dish cover, which produced such an explosion that the young lady was borne screaming away by the much-enduring nurse.

5.  It was, altogether, an uncomfortable dinner, and Polly was very glad when it was over.  They all went about their own affairs; and, after doing the honors of the house, Fan was called to the dressmaker, leaving Polly to amuse herself in the great drawing-room.

6.  Polly was glad to be alone for a few minutes; and, having examined all the pretty things about her, began to walk up and down over the soft, flowery carpet, humming to herself, as the daylight faded, and only the ruddy glow of the fire filled the room.

7.  Presently Madam came slowly in, and sat down in her armchair, saying, “That’s a fine old tune; sing it to me, my dear.  I have n’t heard it this many a day.”

8.  Polly did n’t like to sing before strangers, for she had no teaching but such as her busy mother could give her; but she had been taught the utmost respect for old people, and, having no reason for refusing, she directly went to the piano and did as she was bid.

9.  “That’s the sort of music it’s a pleasure to hear.  Sing some more, dear,” said Madam, in her gentle way, when she had done.

10.  Pleased with this praise, Polly sang away in a fresh little voice that went straight to the listener’s heart and nestled there.  The sweet old tunes that one is never tired of were all Polly’s store.  The more she sung, the better she did it; and when she wound up with “A Health to King Charlie,” the room quite rung with the stirring music made by the big piano and the little maid.

11.  “That’s a jolly tune!  Sing it again, please,” cried Tom’s voice; and there was Tom’s red head bobbing up over the high back of the chair where he had hidden himself.

12.  It gave Polly quite a turn, for she thought no one was hearing her but the old lady dozing by the fire.  “I can’t sing any more; I’m tired,” she said, and walked away to Madam in the other room.  The red head vanished like a meteor, for Polly’s tone had been decidedly cool.

13.  The old lady put out her hand, and, drawing Polly to her knee, looked into her face with such kind eyes that Polly forgot the impressive cap, and smiled at her confidently; for she saw that her simple music had pleased her listener, and she felt glad to know it.

14.  “You mus’n’t mind my staring, dear,” said Madam, softly pinching her rosy cheek, “I haven’t seen a little girl for so long, it does my old eyes good to look at you.”  Polly thought that a very odd speech, and could n’t help saying, “Are n’t Fan and Maud little girls, too?”

15.  “Oh, dear, no! not what I call little girls.  Fan has been a young lady this two years, and Maud is a spoiled baby.  Your mother’s a very sensible woman, my child.”