Polly volunteered to carry it: she must be busy about something, look after somebody.

The cup was entrusted to her; for, if restless, she was also careful.

As the study was opposite the breakfast-room, the doors facing across the passage, my eye followed her.
"What are you doing ?" she asked, pausing on the threshold.
"Writing," said Graham.
"Why don't you come to take breakfast with your mamma ?" "Too busy." "Do you want any breakfast ?" "Of course." "There, then." And she deposited the cup on the carpet, like a jailor putting a prisoner's pitcher of water through his cell-door, and retreated.
Presently she returned.
"What will you have besides tea--what to eat ?" "Anything good.

Bring me something particularly nice; that's a kind little woman." She came back to Mrs.Bretton.
"Please, ma'am, send your boy something good." "You shall choose for him, Polly; what shall my boy have ?" She selected a portion of whatever was best on the table; and, ere long, came back with a whispered request for some marmalade, which was not there.

Having got it, however, (for Mrs.Bretton refused the pair nothing), Graham was shortly after heard lauding her to the skies; promising that, when he had a house of his own, she should be his housekeeper, and perhaps--if she showed any culinary genius--his cook; and, as she did not return, and I went to look after her, I found Graham and her breakfasting _tete-a-tete_--she standing at his elbow, and sharing his fare: excepting the marmalade, which she delicately refused to touch, lest, I suppose, it should appear that she had procured it as much on her own account as his.