enjoy it unseen; but he could not help a glance now and then, and as Polly's face brightened, his own fell.
"Oh, Tom, that's a birthday present worth having, for it's so beautifully given I don't see how you can refuse it. Arther Sydney is a real nobleman!" cried Polly, looking up at last, with her face glowing, and her eyes full of delight.
"So he is! I don't know another man living, except father, who would have done such a thing, or who I could bring myself to take it from. Do you see, he's not only paid the confounded debts, but has done it in my name, to spare me all he could?"
"I see, it's like him; and I think he must be very happy to be able to do such a thing."
"It is an immense weight off my shoulders, for some of those men couldn't afford to wait till I'd begged, borrowed or earned the money. Sydney can wait, but he won't long, if I know myself."
"You won't take it as a gift, then?"
"Would you?"
"No."
"Then don't think I will. I'm a pretty poor affair, Polly, but I'm not mean enough to do that, while I've got a conscience and a pair of hands."
A rough speech, but it pleased Polly better than the smoothest Tom had ever made in her hearing, for something in his face and voice told her that the friendly act had roused a nobler sentiment than gratitude, making the cancelled obligations of the boy, debts of honor to the man.
"What will you do, Tom?"
"I'll tell you; may I sit here?" And Tom took
