Polly did as she was told but her imagination strayed to Denver and
Chicago, as she tried to picture Barbara and Eleanor Maynard with Anne
Stewart, visiting Pebbly Pit that summer. Meantime, Mrs. Brewster
considered the _pros_ and _cons_ of the problem. If this Anne Stewart
proved to be the sort of wife John needed, it would be advisable to
have her know her future family-in-law. If she was not desirable, it
would be discovered during the weeks she lived under the same roof with
John's mother. But should it transpire that there was no cause for
worry about John and this young teacher, she would still prove to be a
good friend for Polly to know in case the child attended school in
Denver the following term. Mrs. Brewster had almost decided to speak
favorably to Polly of the plan, when the girl joined her on the porch.

"Do you suppose Daddy will mind having so many young folks about the
place--that is, if you will let them come?"

"I'm sure your Paw will be happy to give you pleasure, and you know how
glad he is to have young people visiting here, rather than having you
leave home to visit others," remarked Mrs. Brewster, slowly drawing the
yarn through a hole in a sock.

"While I washed the dishes, I wondered if he would say anything to you
about the extra work, the three girls will make?" said Polly, trying to
"feel" her mother out.

"That will be his main objection, I think. He had planned for me to
visit my old friends in Denver, this summer, but this new departure
will make it impossible for me to be away from here."