"Oh, you don't need curly hair as the rest do!" answered Polly
comfortably.

"Need it! I'm a scarecrow with my hair straight!"

Polly took the smooth head between her two palms. "You'll never be
a scarecrow if you live to be a hundred and fifty!" she declared.
"But the dear homely ones--it is hard on them. What do you suppose
is the reason Miss Sniffen won't let them curl their hair just a
mite?"

"Walls are said to have ears," replied Miss Sterling, with a little
scornful twist to her pretty mouth. "It wouldn't be safe for me to
express my opinion."

Polly smiled. "It's a shame! And it isn't fair when she has curly
hair that doesn't need any putting up. I just wish hers would
straighten out--straight as Miss Castlevaine's!"

"You seem to have taken a sudden liking to Miss Castlevaine."

"Oh, no! Only I feel sorry for her, she is so fat and fretty, and
her hair won't fluff a mite. It must be dreadful to think as much
scorn as she does."

"And talk it out," added Miss Sterling. "I wish she wouldn't, for
she is really better than she sounds."

"Oh, if she'd try some of Aunt Susie's exercises, perhaps they'd
make her face thin!"