How Polly did hop when I crowed! I heard her squeal, and saw her cuddle up her feet." "And you heard us praise your manners, did n't you ?" asked Polly, slyly.
"Yes, and you liked 'em; so I won't tell on you," said Tom, with a re-assuring nod.
"There 's nothing to tell." "Ain't there, though?
What do you suppose the governor will say to you girls going on so with those dandies?
I saw you." "What has the Governor of Massachusetts to do with us ?" asked Polly, trying to look as if she meant what she said.
"Pooh! you know who I mean; so you need n't try to catch me up, as grandma does." "Tom, I 'll make a bargain with you," cried Fanny, eagerly.

"It was n't my fault that Gus and Frank were there, and I could n't help their speaking to me.

I do as well as I can, and papa need n't be angry; for I behave ever so much better than some of the girls.

Don't I, Polly ?" "Bargain ?" observed Tom, with an eye to business.
"If you won't go and make a fuss, telling what you 'd no right to hear it was so mean to hide and listen; I should think you 'd be ashamed of it! I 'll help you tease for your velocipede, and won't say a word against it, when mamma and granny beg papa not to let you have it." "Will you ?" and Tom paused to consider the offer in all its bearings.
"Yes, and Polly will help; won't you ?" "I 'd rather not have anything to do with it; but I 'll be quiet, and not do any harm." "Why won't you ?" asked Tom, curiously.
"Because it seems like deceiving." "Well, papa need n't be so fussy," said Fan, petulantly.
"After hearing about that Carrie, and the rest, I don't wonder he is fussy.

Why don't you tell right out, and not do it any more, if he don't want you to ?" said Polly, persuasively.
"Do you go and tell your father and mother everything right out ?" "Yes, I do; and it saves ever so much trouble." "Ain't you afraid of them ?" "Of course I 'm not.