Mrs.Oliver was talking with General M---- in the parlor, while Edgar and Polly were studying in the dining-room.
Polly laid down her book and leaned back in her chair.

It had been a hard day, and it was very discouraging that a new year should come to one's door laden with vexations and anxieties, when everybody naturally expected new years to be happy, through January and February at least.
"Edgar," she sighed plaintively, "I find that this is a very difficult world to live in, sometimes." Edgar looked up from his book, and glanced at her as she lay back with closed eyes in the Chinese lounging-chair.

She was so pale, so tired, and so very, very pretty just then, her hair falling in bright confusion round her face, her whole figure relaxed with weariness, and her lips quivering a little, as if she would like to cry if she dared.
Polly with dimples playing hide and seek in rosy cheeks, with dazzling eyes, and laughing lips, and saucy tongue, was sufficiently captivating; but Polly with bright drops on her lashes, with a pathetic droop in the corners of her mouth and the suspicion of a tear in her voice,--this Polly was irresistible.
"What's the matter, pretty Poll ?" "Nothing specially new.

The Baer cubs were naughty as little demons to-day.

One of them had a birthday-party yesterday, with four kinds of frosted cake.