" He concealed as best he might
his awful disappointment as the echoes of the horn, the baying of the
dogs, and now and then a scrap of chatter or a peal of laughter was
borne to them on the wind.
"Polly," said Jasper, in a low voice, "it isn't quite right, is it, to
disturb the party now? Just think, Tom will go back with us."
The pink spots died out on Polly's cheek. "No, Jasper," she said, "it
isn't right. Tom, you needn't say one word about going back, for I am
going on." She gave the rein to Meteor and dashed off.
"We'll have a race through the park some day, Polly," called Tom, as he
sped after her, "without any fox."
"Too bad, Polly, you weren't in at the death," said the little old
earl, sympathisingly, when at the hunt-breakfast following, the brush
dangling to a victorious young lady's belt, had been admired as an
extremely fine one. "Never mind; better luck next time, little girl."
But the f?te to the tenantry, oh! that was something like, and more to
Polly's taste, when this annual affair, postponed while Tom's mother
and Tom were away, took place. For days before, the preparations had
been making, the stewards up to their eyes in responsibility to carry
out the plans of the little old earl, who meant on this occasion to
outdo all his former efforts, and show his American friends how an
Englishman treats those under his care.
Oh, the big joints of beef, the haunches of venison, the fowls, the
meat pies and the gooseberry tarts, the beer and the ale, and the tea
for the old women, with nuts and sweeties for the children! Oh, Polly
knew about it all, as she went about with the little old earl while he
gave his orders, her hand in his, just as if she were no older than
Phronsie, and not such a tall, big girl.
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