Sidney’s little head might well have been turned by praise had it been that kind of a head, she received so many words of commendation. Ted Scott led the applause, and it was his hands that gave the final appreciative clap. Even Myrtle Emmons congratulated her. “It was grand, Sid,” she said, earnestly. “But how could you ever do it after breaking down once? I never could, and I always break down. I was awfully sorry for you, for, you see, I know how it goes. But, say, Sid! I thought I couldn’t help laughing as you came down the aisle; old Mrs. Perkins stalked along right behind you, her battered bonnet over one ear as usual, and that ancient, solitary, stiff, bedraggled, black feather sticking straight up. I always have to laugh when I see it, though, of course, I oughtn’t.” “So do I,” returned Sidney, with sudden cordiality. So she had misjudged Myrtle, after all. “But how could you do it?” persisted Myrtle. Then out came the whole story, even to the tears, and they had a merry time over it. “And to think that I was the cause of it,” laughed Mrs. Dallas. “But I am glad my little girl was brave enough to turn defeat into victory.” “I don’t think it was really I, mamma,” said Sidney, slowly and thoughtfully. “It was the Dandy Fifth.” TO MAY Though many suns have risen and set Since thou, blithe May, wert born, And bards, who hail’d thee, may forget Thy gifts, thy beauty scorn; There are who to a birthday strain Confine not harp and voice, But evermore throughout thy reign Are grateful and rejoice! Delicious odors! music sweet, Too sweet to pass away! O, for a deathless song to meet The soul’s desire,--a lay That, when a thousand years are told, Should praise thee, genial Power! Through summer heat, autumnal cold, And Winter’s dreariest hour. Season of fancy and of hope, Permit not for one hour A blossom from thy crown to drop, Nor add to it a flower! Keep, lovely May, as if by touch Of self-restraining art, This modest charm of not too much, Part seen, imagined part. --_Wordsworth._ LITTLE POLLY PRENTISS BY ELIZABETH LINCOLN GOULD CHAPTER VI A TRYING AFTERNOON SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS Polly Prentiss is an orphan who, for the greater part of her life, has lived with a distant relative, Mrs. Manser, the mistress of Manser Farm. Miss Hetty Pomeroy, a maiden lady of middle age, has, ever since the death of her favorite niece, been on the lookout for a little girl whom she might adopt. She is attracted by Polly’s appearance and quaint manners, and finally decides to take her home and keep her for a month’s trial. In the foregoing chapters, Polly has arrived at her new home, and the great difference between the way of living at Pomeroy Oaks and her past life affords her much food for wonderment.