were waging war in Polly's mind. She spoke as the calm critic who
waits to sit in judgment.

"I'm just going to begin now," said Polly faintly. Then, nerving
herself to the task, she read aloud,--

"The children went chestnutting once,
Out in the woods to stay all day,
There's Maude and Sue and James and Kate,
All there, for there's no school to-day."


Polly stopped to catch breath.

"Where'd you get your names?" inquired Molly critically.

Polly looked up with a startled air.

"Why, out of my head, of course."

"Oh, did you?" Molly's tone was not reassuring. "Go on," she
added.

"Maybe you'll like the next verse better," faltered Polly.

"The good, kind mothers pack the lunch
Of bread and butter, meat and cake,
So off they start at ten o'clock,
For it is hot when it is late."