"It only shows," said the lady, seeing her way quite clear for a little
exhortation, "that you've all had your own way from infancy; and
that you don't do what you might to make your mother's life a
happy one."

"Oh, ma'am," cried Polly, and she burst into a flood of tears,
"please, please don't say that!"

"And I say," screamed Joel, stamping his small foot, "if you make
Polly cry you'll kill her! Don't Polly, don't!" and the boy put both
arms around her neck, and soothed and comforted her in every way
he could think of. And Miss Jerusha, seeing no way to make
herself heard, disappeared feeling pity for children who would turn
away from good advice.

But still Polly cried On; all the pent-up feelings that had been so
long controlled had free vent now. She really couldn't stop! Joel,
frightened to death, at last said, "I'm going to wake up Ben."

That brought Polly to; and she sobbed out, "Oh, no, Jo--ey--I'll
stop."

"I will," said Joel, seeing his advantage; "I'm going, Polly," and he
started to the foot of the stairs.

"No, I'm done now, Joe," said Polly, wiping her eyes, and choking
back her thoughts--"oh, Joe! I must scream! my eyes aches so!"
and poor Polly fairly writhed all over the chair.