I wanted to go
to papa when he came down, but the door was locked, and he said,
'Not now, my little girl,' and then I sat here waiting to see what
would happen, and Tom came home. But when I ran to tell him, he
said, 'Go away, and don't bother,' and just took me by the shoulders
and put me out. Oh, dear! everything is so queer and horrid, I don't
know what to do."
Maud began to cry, and Polly sat down on the stairs beside her,
trying to comfort her, while her own thoughts were full of a vague
fear. All at once the dining-room door opened, and Tom's head
appeared. A single glance showed Polly that something was the
matter, for the care and elegance which usually marked his
appearance were entirely wanting. His tie was under one ear, his
hair in a toss, the cherished moustache had a neglected air, and his
face an expression both excited, ashamed, and distressed; even his
voice betrayed disturbance, for instead of the affable greeting he
usually bestowed upon the young lady, he seemed to have fallen
back into the bluff tone of his boyish days, and all he said was,
"Hullo, Polly.
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